Preston County Board of Education
Policy 3-18R - General Educational Development Test (GED)

A. High School Equivalent Diploma

The High School Equivalent Diploma is issued by the State of West Virginia. The holder of such a diploma is not entitled to take part in a regular high school graduation exercise.

B. Basis for Granting High School Equivalent Diploma

1. The State Department of Education requires that applicants taking the General Educational Development Test achieve an average standard score of 45 or above on all five tests with a standard score of 40 or above on each of the five tests.

2. The applicant's class of which he/she was a member must have graduated before the equivalent high school diploma is issued.

C. Testing of Individuals

1. Individuals who are 18 years of age and have been out of a formal high school classroom situation for a period of six months before making application or whose high school class of which he/she was a member has been graduated, may be admitted for testing.

2. Individuals who are 17 years of age and have been out of a formal high school classroom situation for a period of one year before making application or whose high school class of which he/she was a member has been graduated, may be admitted to testing under the following conditions:

(a) Written verification from the principal of the last school attended stating the exact date of withdrawal from school. This letter must be sent directly to the testing site prior to any formal application for testing.

(b) At the written request of an employer

(c) At the written request of a college or university official.

(d) Persons who have successfully completed training in programs such as OEO, New Careers, Job Corps, NYC, and others.

(e) At the written request of an Armed Services Recruiting officer.

(a) Documentation that the individual is a dropout.

(b) Documentation that the individual has received counseling regarding educational and career opportunities, and written assurances are provided that the individual will receive ongoing counseling regarding educational and career opportunities.

(c) Documentation that the individual has declined to participate in a formal high school education program.

D. Residence

Persons physically residing within West Virginia for a period of 30 days with a West Virginia mailing address re considered residents. other persons who may be tested are:

• Military personnel
• Employees of business and industry who have been moved physically into the state;
• Persons confined in federal penitentiaries or hospitals;
• Persons taking part in educational or vocational programs and physically residing in the state.

Persons wishing to have their test results sent to their home state for the purpose of securing a certificate rather than applying for a West Virginia certificate may do so.

Non-residents may be tested but their scores will be sent to the individuals home state for issuance of a diploma.

ADOPTED: September 14, 1992

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