Changes to High School Equivalency program include reduced testing fees
Vance-Granville Community College is spreading the word about changes in the program that allows area adults to take a set of tests to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma.
Recently, the name “ High School Equivalency ” (HSE) replaced the program’s former name: General Educational Development, or GED ® — a registered trademark of the national testing company, Pearson VUE. To complete the current version of the HSE program, a student must pass four tests, in the subject areas of Reasoning through Language Arts; Mathematical Reasoning; Science; and Social Studies.
Meanwhile, another change for students is that all tests are now taken on a computer. VGCC is a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center and is approved to deliver the tests on computers at two campus locations: Main Campus (Vance County) and Franklin County Campus . Classes to prepare adults for the tests are offered at those campuses, as well as at VGCC’s South Campus (between Butner and Creedmoor) and Warren County Campus (Warrenton) and other community locations. Students may also take HSE preparation classes online through VGCC, but the actual tests must be taken in-person at one of the college’s approved testing centers.
The changes were accompanied by additional testing fees, but recently, the N.C. Community College System announced that fees would be lowered, to $20 per subject-area test (or $80 in total). The student only needs to pay for one test at a time.
“Many things have changed recently in our field, but the value and the necessity of having a high school diploma has not changed,” said Cathy Barham, VGCC’s Adult Basic Skills department chair. “At Vance-Granville, we continue to provide personal attention to our students, so that they can improve their skills and pass their tests, while emphasizing that the HSE is just the first step toward continuing their education and succeeding in the job market.”
VGCC made a unique change this past year by establishing an office at the college devoted solely to helping HSE and Adult High School Diploma graduates take their education to the next level. Anthony Pope, the Academic & Career Pathways Advisor, supports students as they transition from one of the Basic Skills programs to curriculum degree, diploma or certificate programs . He counsels students regarding admissions, financial aid, placement testing and registration, guiding and directing them step-by-step through the process.
Another new program, Basic Skills Plus, allows students seeking a high school equivalency diploma to enroll in an occupational training program at the same time.
For more information, visit any VGCC campus or call (252) 738-3275 .
