Tougher GED test for high school dropouts

The decline in the number of students taking the General Education Diploma test is troubling the Northern Marianas College, unsatisfied with the decrease in student enrollment under its Adult Basic Education program within the last two years.

ABE Director Fe Calixterio laments seeing the program with very little participants following a recent move to increase GED standard scores to 45 from 35.

But stakes are about to get higher as the American Council on Education gears up for striking changes in GED tests across all mainland states and insular areas effective January 2002.

In this light, Ms. Calixterio is urging CNMI’s high school dropouts to seize the last two remaining years before modifications are finally implemented.

The General Educational Development Testing Services in Washington is reportedly formulating tougher test items that would ensure that GED successful examinees equal those that have actually gone through four years of senior high school.

“We have been announcing the change of test for almost two years now. But I am disappointed that students have not been coming in,” said Ms. Calixterio.
She cited two glaring changes set to embody the revamped GED examination which includes two parts of Mathematics and more analytical questions.

“The most visible changes will involve a Math portion where students will be allowed to use calculators and another one without the counting gadgets. The 2002 test will also be more focused on critical thinking,” Ms. Calixterio explained.

NMC is anticipating a more difficult set of evaluations with the GED test 2002, one which could further decrease the college’s GED graduates yearly.

The college graduated some 46 students from its GED program this year. School Year 96-97 had the highest number of graduates with 80 students receiving diplomas.

“We fear it could lessen the number of graduates. It could. . .but I hope it won’t,” said Ms. Calixterio.

In efforts to improve the scholastic aptitude of high school dropouts, the GED Testing Services has vowed to come up with the test changes to advance the students’ competence in acquiring well-paying jobs.

“They said they had no choice, that in order for the test to be valuable GED students would have to mirror the skills that senior students in high school are expected to achieve,” she said.

“Because of the age were we are in. . .where there is actually a proliferation of information, we can’t hold back any longer. We have to go with the flow of times,” she added.

Meanwhile, NMC is out to let the community know of the number of services the institution offers especially to those who were unable to secure a high school diploma.

“We are very serious with them. The service is free and all they need to do is come in and register,” said Ms. Calixterio.

Interested students only need $10 refundable deposit for resource materials to be used for the whole semester.

At the end of the semester, the money is actually refunded to the student upon return of the books. (MM)