General Education Development GED Option Program

General Education Development (GED ) Option Program ® Mississippi Code 37 -13 -92, 37 -35 -1 – 37 -35 -11 State Board Policy 902 GED

The GED Option Program IS: ® • An approved option affiliated with the GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education and the State Department of Education; • A valid way to complete high school; • Voluntary; • A screened entry program using academic pre-testing to predict success; • For students in jeopardy of not meeting original graduation date; • A diploma -producing program upon completion; • Content substantive—aligned with high school course material; • A program with counseling services: pre, during and in transition; • Quality, best practices instruction; • Full time high school schedule, which may include work force development courses/experiences; and • An enriching alternative that provides closure and future direction.

The GED® Option Program IS NOT: • • • An independent offering at unapproved or unaffiliated sites; A punitive track for unsuccessful students; Required; An easy access program for any level of academic performance; An early exit from high school always prior to original graduation date; A certificate-producing program upon completing; A test preparation course, only; With isolated, random contact with counseling; Packet-bound performance-based instructional experience; Isolated test preparation schedule; and A second class option to finishing high school.

The GED® test is the only high school equivalency program recognized by all 50 U. S. states, the District of Columbia, U. S. insular areas, and Canadian provinces and territories. Since 1942 more than 18 million adults have earned their GED® test credential. GED® alums contribute to every sector of the workforce. They are teachers, nurses, mechanics, lawyers, and have even included college presidents, governors, entrepreneurs, congressmen, and a U. S. surgeon general. Nearly 800, 000 GED® tests are taken each year, and in 2010, more than 470, 000 individuals were awarded their high school credential through the GED® testing.

IEP • Change in Placement • IEP Reflective of Services • Primary Services

What accommodations are available if I have a documented disability?

If you have a disability that could keep you from taking the GED Tests, they are usually given. ®

Accommodations are available for people with (but not limited to) the following: • Physical disabilities (such as blindness, low vision, deafness, impaired hearing, or mobility impairments) • Learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, receptive aphasia, or written language disorder) • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder • Psychological disabilities (such as bipolar disorder or Tourette's syndrome) • Chronic health issues

• • • Audiocassette edition Braille edition Large-print edition (no documentation required) Vision-enhancing technologies Use of video equipment for candidates who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in composing the Language Arts, Writing essay Use of a talking calculator or abacus Certified sign-language interpreter; use of a scribe Extended time; supervised extra breaks Use of a private room One-on-one testing at a health facility

Other reasonable accommodations as warranted, based on individual needs

8 th Gra Lev de el Cognitive Ability

Learning Disabilities and/or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Form L-15) Physical Disabilities and Emotional or Psychological Disabilities (Form SA-001)

GED Option Placement ® A committee of administrators, counselors, classroom teachers and support staff should review and approve referrals for the placement of students in the GED Option Program.

The committee that recommends student placement in the GED Option Program should develop an Individual Education and Career Plan (IECP) that addresses the curriculum and instructional needs of each student, job readiness skills and work experience options. (Maintain IECP in student file). ®

Student Participation Criteria • Must be at least 16 years of age • Must be at least one (1) full grade level behind his/her 9 th grade cohort or have acquired less than four (4) Carnegie Units • Must have taken every opportunity to continue in course work leading to a regular high school diploma • Written parental permission to participate • Documentation of Superintendent’s approval for participation

GED OPTION PROGRAM ® • Students referred to the Alternative School for disciplinary reasons may not be placed in the GED Option® Program until behavioral modification goals have been met. • The GED Option® Program shall not be housed in a vocational facility unless a letter is submitted annually to the Mississippi Department of Education and it has been approved by MDE in consultation with the U. S. Office of Education. Vocational School

GED Option Offers Flexible Scheduling Opportunities ® • Provide a minimum of 15 hours of GED academic instruction per week. • Provide career component. • Provide counseling throughout program. • School districts may offer one program in the morning and a 2 nd program in the afternoon or night. ®

GED Option ® • Students cannot circumvent the Compulsory School Attendance Law. • Students cannot receive a GED Option certificate/diploma prior to their ageequivalent peers. • Any exceptions have to be approved by Mississippi Department of Education. ®

• GED Option Program tests are administered by the State Board of Community and Junior Colleges. ® • Students who successfully complete the GED exam should be given official school recognition in a separate ceremony at or near the same time as high school graduation. ®

GED Option and Dropouts ® • A student who withdraws, leaves the public school system to attend a GED® program in the community college is a dropout. • A student who leaves and/or withdraws from the public school system to attend any GED program in the community is a dropout. • The GED Option is the only state approved GED program that students can participate in and not be counted as a dropout. ® ® ®

Damian Thomas or Tessa Burchfield Mississippi Department of Education Office of Dropout Prevention and Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement Division of Alternative Education/GED Option Post Office Box 771 Jackson, MS 39205 601 -359 -5743 Fax: 601 -576 -3504