Chapter 9: The GED Exit Option Model 9-1 – 9-7

Section Title Page

9.1 Background Information and Purpose 9-1

9.2 Student Eligibility 9-1

9.2.A District Application Process 9-1

9.3 American Council on Education Guidelines 9-2

9.4 Department of Juvenile Justice Programs 9-6

The Florida GED Teachers’ Handbook

Chapter 9: The GED Exit Option Model

9.1 Background Information and Purpose

The American Council on Education (ACE) authorized pilot programs from 1988-1996 to use the GED Tests with currently enrolled Dropout Prevention Program students. After termination of the program in 1996, several states petitioned ACE to reinstate the program. After an independent review, the GED Exit Option Model was reinstated in 1998. In 2000, the Florida Department of Education submitted a waiver application to ACE to expand student eligibility criteria to include not only Dropout Prevention Program students, but also other students at risk of not graduating with their cohort group. That waiver was approved for the 2001-2002 school year. The waiver allows currently enrolled high school students to take the GED Tests. If they pass both the GED Tests and the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT), they are eligible to graduate and receive a standard high school diploma in addition to the Florida High School Diploma normally awarded to GED graduates. The FCAT requirement is effective for 2003: only students who are seniors may take the High School Competency Test in lieu of the FCAT.

The purpose of the program is to provide students at risk of not graduating from high school with an alternative that will provide them an opportunity to complete their education and enter employment or higher education. The GED Exit Option Model is not an early exit option for students and may only be used when a student is at risk of not graduating with his/her cohort group. In Florida, the GED Exit Option Model provides an opportunity not only for students enrolled in Dropout Prevention Programs, but also for overage-for-grade students.

9.2 Student Eligibility

Students must be at least 16 years of age and currently enrolled in high school to take advantage of the GED Exit Option Model. However, this option is only available for students who would not be eligible to graduate with their peer group with which they entered kindergarten. Each local school board must approve rules allowing students aged 16 or 17 to take the GED Tests by documenting extraordinary circumstances. Students who are younger than 16 may not be placed in the GED Exit Option Model, nor may they enroll in an adult education GED Preparation program.

9.2.A District Application Process

Each district must apply to the Florida Department of Education to offer the GED Exit Option Model. Each district must also be approved on an annual basis in order to continue offering the program. Prior to implementation of the program, the Florida Department of Education must approve all applications. District applications may be amended during the school year to include additional sites. Districts must submit the following to the Florida Department of Education:

District Application Form
Site Application Form
Site Self-Evaluation Checklist
Student Self-Evaluation Checklist

All forms may be obtained from the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services.

9.3 American Council on Education Guidelines

The American Council on Education has established stringent guidelines to which any district or school must agree before they can provide the GED Exit Option Model. Any schools found in noncompliance with these guidelines not only jeopardize their own participation in the program, but place at risk the state’s waiver to administer the GED Exit Option Model. The following provides a brief overview of the American Council on Education Guidelines and what they mean to districts wishing to participate in the program.

Guideline 1: Selection procedures must ensure that students that enroll in the GED Exit Option Model are those who will not graduate with their class because of credit deficiency or low GPA and are otherwise capable of completing graduation requirements.

There are many students who would like to graduate from school early. The GED Exit Option Model is not intended to serve these students. Districts may only select students for this program who are at least 16 years of age and are at risk of not graduating with their cohort group. Students may not be placed in the program without the consent and approval of the parent. Parents must be notified and sign an approval form for the child(ren) to enroll in the program. Students must be currently enrolled in the K-12 program. The following is a list of additional criteria outlined by the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services. Students must:

Be enrolled in courses that meet high school graduation requirements
Be overage for their grade, deficient in credits or GPA
Have a cohort group that is graduating or has graduated
Have a minimum reading level of 7.0 as documented on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) or another test to determine grade level proficiency
Attain acceptable scores on the Official GED Practice Tests that have been administered under required testing conditions

As part of the admissions process, a child study team must conduct a comprehensive review of the student’s records to determine whether or not the GED Exit Option Model is an appropriate placement for the student. Parents must be informed and provide written consent for enrollment. The site must maintain records that include eligibility criteria, parental permission, and a student self-evaluation checklist. Teachers must maintain copies of standards students have mastered, grades received, and daily attendance.

Guideline 2: Counseling is required prior to enrollment and must be available throughout participation in the GED Exit Option.

The decision to enroll in the GED Exit Option Model is a serious one for students and their parents. Counseling is required before any student is enrolled in the program. Both parents and students should receive counseling that includes information on all available graduation options. Without complete information and the various options outlined for them, students and their parents cannot make informed decisions. According to the Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services, each of the following items must be reviewed with the student and parent/guardian:

All students enrolled in the GED Exit Option Model must be enrolled in courses that meet graduation requirements.
All students must have equal access to counseling and support services in the K-12 program.
All students must receive academic, personal, and career counseling including information about higher education options, such as the military or college admission requirements. Students and their parents should be informed of alternative graduation options, including:
- Course modifications that combine performance standards
- Competency based curriculum that allows students to work at their own pace and earn credits as they master performance standards
- Credits earned in summer school or adult high school
- Florida Virtual High School
All students must understand that enrollment in GED Exit Option is strictly voluntary; no student may be forced to enroll in the program.
A written description of the GED Exit Option program must be provided to the parent as well as information about the content and score requirements of the GED Tests.
The parent must be informed that the student’s transcript will indicate that he/she has selected an alternative program for graduation and that the final transcript will reflect only the high school course credits earned.
The parent must provide consent for the student to enroll in the program after he/she fully understands the ramifications of that decision.
An Exceptional Education student must have an accompanying Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The IEP should indicate that the GED Exit Option program is an appropriate placement for the student.
Ongoing counseling and support must be provided for all students enrolled in the program.

Guideline 3: Curricula and instructional content must be at the high school.

The GED Tests have been developed to measure the lasting outcomes of four years of a regular high school program of study. If a student is to be successful on the GED Tests, he/she must possess high school level skills. All curricula and instructional content must be at the high school level for students enrolled in the GED Exit Option program. Courses may be provided that address workforce development instruction or activities; however it is essential that all curricula must be designed to ensure that students have the skills necessary to pass the GED Tests. Core curricula must include instruction in each of the five subject areas covered on the GED Tests:

Language Arts, Writing
Social Studies
Science
Language Arts, Reading
Mathematics

Instructional requirements for GED Exit Option students include:

Enrollment in courses that meet graduation requirements
Evidence of enrollment in those courses included in the student’s records
Issuance of grades and report cards
Teacher records that show performance in each course
Curriculum that meets needs based on diagnostic testing
Evidence of individualized, self-paced programs that include strategies to prepare for the GED Tests
Integration of GED Curriculum Frameworks and student performance standards
Evidence of remediation provided for students who do not pass the HSCT or FCAT
Completion of one vocational course credit with an academic year
Evidence of attainment of acceptable scores on the Official GED Practice Test

Guideline 4: To ensure effective instructional delivery, sufficient instructional resources and qualified staff must be allocated to the GED Exit Option Model.

Preparation for the GED Tests is not an easy task for students. The instructional program for a GED Exit Option site must be rigorous and established in such as manner as to assure the student of the greatest opportunity to increase skills to a level sufficient to be successful on the GED Tests. Adequate instructional materials must be provided for students and should be geared to help the student gain the skills needed for the GED Tests. It is important that teachers use a variety of instructional strategies in order to ensure that student’s learning styles are accommodated and that all students can benefit from the instruction provided.

Local school districts may establish student-teacher ratios; however the Florida Department of Education recommends a ratio of no more than 15:1. Staff development opportunities should be made available to teachers working within the program to ensure that they understand the content, context, and format of the GED Tests. This staff development may be provided through local adult education programs that provide GED instruction to the general public. All teachers should stay up-to-date on changes in the GED Tests, revisions and enhancements to instructional materials, and modifications to policies and procedures associated with the GED Exit Option Model.

Guideline 5: Successful students must be awarded a standard high school diploma.

An important part of the GED Exit Option program is the requirement that all students pass either the HSCT or FCAT. Effective 2003, all students must meet FCAT standards. Only by passing both the GED Tests and the FCAT may students be awarded a standard high school diploma. If a student passes only the GED Tests, districts may at their option award a State of Florida High School Diploma. Students who wish to participate in graduation exercises in May or June of each year should take the GED Tests no later than March to ensure that scores have been returned and provide an opportunity for retesting if necessary. However, students should not be allowed to take the GED Tests until such time as they pass the HSCT or FCAT. When students meet all requirements for the GED Exit Option Model they are considered graduates and may not return to school the following semester.

Guideline 6: GED Exit Option Model graduates must receive official recognition.

Students who meet all program requirements are eligible to participate in standard high school activities, including extracurricular activities and graduation ceremonies. Local district should provide opportunities for recognition of student accomplishments.

Guideline 7: Planning and oversight of the implementation of the GED Exit Option Model will be the responsibility of the Florida Department of Education and will necessitate collaboration among different organizational units of the department.

The GED Exit Option Model has two components – instruction and assessment. The State GED Administrator (currently the Director of the Division of Workforce Development) has responsibility for the GED Testing component. The State Instructional Coordinator (Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services) has responsibility for ensuring that all GEDTS guidelines, state laws, rules, policies, and procedures are followed. Local districts must also ensure collaboration between the GED Testing Center Chief Examiner and the appropriate staff members in local Departments of Instruction.

Guideline 8: Each year, the state education agency will submit documentation to GEDTS describing procedures for contributing a portion of the support needed to administer the GED Exit Option Model.

The Florida Department of Education, Division of Public Schools and Division of Workforce Development coordinate the state application process and ensure funds are transferred to GEDTS. This guideline applies to state level administration and does not affect school districts.

Guideline 9: The Florida Department of Education will collect data and information annually about the GED Exit Option Model from local school systems and will submit the data to GEDTS.

GEDTS conducts on-going evaluation of the impact of GED Exit Option programs. The Florida Department of Education has established standardized data collection procedures and forms that are distributed and completed by each district. The data is submitted annually to GEDTS. Each year, data is transmitted electronically to the Florida Department of Education via the Automated Student Information Data Base. Districts report data based on the appropriate data elements. GED Exit Option Text Results elements include:

P – The student took the GED Tests and passed.
F – The student took the GED Tests and failed.

In addition, as required by the Florida Department of Education all students who are coded with P are reported as either a W10 for withdrawal with a standard high school diploma or WGD if the student did not pass the FCAT, but passed the GED Tests.

Guideline 10: GED test administration for the GED Exit Option Model must conform to all regulations protecting the integrity of the tests.

The designated GED Chief Examiner administers GED Tests at the local level. Each Chief Examiner is trained on test security and administration issues and follows those guidelines for administering the GED Tests. GED Exit Option students are required to take the test under the same guidelines as those of the general public. Students who require special accommodations for testing are processed through the GED Chief Examiner’s office with information forwarded to the GED Chief Administrator for final approval. Students are required to produce photo identification and complete all GED Test registration forms. Students enrolled in GED Exit Option programs are required to pay the same fees as those of the general public, with the exception of students enrolled in GED Exit Option programs administered by the Department of Juvenile Justice. DJJ student fees are the responsibility of the institution or other entity that receives education funding for the student.

9.4 Department of Juvenile Justice Programs

Students participating in DJJ educational programs may enroll in GED Exit Option programs. The DJJ site must ensure that all American Council on Education guidelines are followed. As with students in Dropout Prevention programs, DJJ students are required to pass the HSCT or FCAT and the GED Tests in order to receive a standard high school diploma.

The GED Exit Option Model provides an opportunity for students who might not otherwise graduate from high school a chance to earn a standard high school diploma. It is important that any school or district that elects to offer the GED Exit Option Model understand that this program requires intensive instruction for students.

The 2002 Series GED Tests were implemented on January 1, 2002. The 2002 Series GED Tests require that students possess not only academic knowledge in each of the five subject areas, but also possess critical thinking skills of application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. This can present special challenges to teachers working in GED Exit Option programs. It is important that all teachers working in programs remain informed, initiate innovative and interactive lessons and activities, and work with students so that they may be successful on the GED Tests.

Special Note: Teachers working in the GED Exit Option Model should review information about the content, cognitive level, and format of the 2002 Series GED Tests found in Chapter 2 of this handbook. Strategies for various content areas and for helping students enhance their critical thinking skills are found in Chapter 4. These strategies are appropriate for students enrolled in the GED Exit Option Model and should be used in the program.