Tennessee waives fee for high school diploma equivalency test

August 21, 2015 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated August 21, 2015 at 2:41 p.m.

by Alex Green

Larry Gorski, 58, of Cheektowaga works to prepare to take the TASC test toward his high school equivalency diploma during an adult education class at the Maryvale Community Education Building in Cheektowaga, N.Y. on March 23, 2015. The GED was overhauled last year to reflect the Common Core standards that have been adopted by most states and emphasize critical thinking. Two new high school equivalency exams that also incorporate some of those standards were also introduced last year. (AP Photo/Carolyn Thompson)
Larry Gorski, 58, of Cheektowaga works to prepare to take the TASC test toward his high school equivalency diploma during an adult education class at the Maryvale Community Education Building in Cheektowaga, N.Y. on March 23, 2015. The GED was overhauled last year to reflect the Common Core standards that have been adopted by most states and emphasize critical thinking. Two new high school equivalency exams that also incorporate some of those standards were also introduced last year. (AP Photo/Carolyn Thompson)

For some Tennessee residents, a new state voucher waiving the $75 high school equivalency test (HiSET for short, a GED equivalent) will remove, at least, the monetary barrier to getting high school education credentials.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday a new program to encourage more people to take the GED test by offering it for free in exchange for proof of readiness to tackle the material.

"Our target is to have diplomas in the hands of 5,000 graduates by the end of the year, and we know removing the test fee is a great incentive to meet our goal," said Jason Beard, administrator of the state's Adult Education Program, in a news release.

The HiSET test is administered by Educational Testing Service, the world's largest private, nonprofit testing and assessment organization. Educational Testing Service is the maker of the SAT exam and SAT practice tests.

The HiSET test is an alternative to the GED test, which is administered by Pearson and generally costs up to $125. Both tests yield a certificate equivalent to a high school diploma in Tennessee.

An estimated 700,000 Tennesseee adults currently have less than a high school diploma. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with less than a high school diploma were paid nearly $200 a week less than workers with a high school diploma or equivalent last year.

photo Preparation for the HiSET test.

The unemployment rate for workers with less than a high school diploma or equivalent was around 9 percent in 2014, compared to 6 percent for those with a high school diploma or equivalent.

Charlotte Cain, director of tri-city adult education in Dunlap, calls the new HiSET vouchers a "God send."

Since its introduction in July, Cain said nine students under her direction have already used test vouchers. She said taking and passing the HiSET test is vital for workers.

"It opens any door because it is a high school diploma equivalent, exactly like the GED is," she said.

The only condition to having the $75 fee waived is the test taker must show a certain, high level of proficiency on the HiSET practice test at any adult education facility. The practice test is free and can be repeatedly taken for free.

"If you stay with us long enough, we can usually get you to that point," said Cain.

Those interested in obtaining a Tennessee High School Equivalency Diploma can contact a local adult education office. Locations are listed online at the Department of Labor and Workforce Development's webiste, www.tn.gov/workforce.

Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.

Upcoming Events