You can't take a GED test online — yet.
At least, not legitimately.
The Region 9 Education Service Center announced Friday that if earning a GED is on your to-do list for the spring, you can start the process by attending three orientation days at its service center, Tuesday through Thursday.
If the orientation days are completed successfully, students move into free GED preparation in daytime classes at the Galaxy Center or Wayland Baptist or in evening classes at Region 9 — beginning the training as early as April 3.
Their announcement comes on the heels of a national report that fraudulent online testing services are offering fake credentials to students who pay a fee to pursue their GED and to test online.
The GED Testing Service filed a lawsuit against a network of 13 websites, alleging they used the GED trademark to set up convenient websites for earning a GED that offered fake tests and diplomas.
"If you're not coming in person, it's not legitimate," said GED director Randy Trask in a report by MSNBC on the "Today Show."
Octaviano Garza, Region 9 adult education program coordinator in Wichita Falls, said he only recently learned about the GED scams and hadn't had anyone personally complain to him about them.
He said some legitimate companies — including colleges — are in the GED business for a profit. Region 9, however, offers a program that's federally- and state-funded through the Texas Education Agency.
"And it's free," Garza said.
Paid programs "take advantage of those folks that really are not aware of the fact that ... the state offers it at no cost to students," Garza said.
Various legitimate online sites may charge a fee to help students prepare and practice for the GED test, but the test itself cannot be taken online.
Even his program won't administer the test but only prepares them with the orientation and classes.
"We try to set them up to succeed when they take the test," Garza said. "When we send them to take it, we know they will pass. We do practice tests and assessments. Once they get to the score they need on the practice test, then they need to go take the test."
The Region 9 program is held accountable by the state and federal government and must show proof of moving students along a timeline of six accomplishments that lead up to completion of the GED.
Region 9's program starts with the three-day orientation that serves as a screening for a participant's commitment to the process. It's also a training opportunity to give them information about goal-setting, dealing with barriers, budgeting and planting the seed about the possibility of going further than just the GED in their education.
It primes them for success, Garza said. "We show them job pay ranges and different things they can do in different professions."
The Chamber of Commerce officials also visit the orientation and urge students to earn the National Career Readiness Certificate, which will give them an edge with employers. It certifies the student has mastered soft skills that enhance their performance in the workplace.
The three days of orientation can be taken in the daytime, from 9 a.m. to noon, or in the evening, from 6 to 9 p.m., and anyone interested in preparing for their General Education Development Test — the GED — must attend all three days in daytime or evening.
Once complete, students are folded into ongoing GED classes at a convenient place within the 12-county area by April 3.
Another spring orientation begins April 23, 24 and 25. The next orientation begins in July.
Such classes are more needed than ever before, Garza said.
Both nationally and locally, the drop-out rate is rising. Once, one in five students dropped out of school without earning their diploma; today, it's one in four.
"That's pretty bad," Garza said. The problem affects students in all subgroups, but mostly low economic and minority students, or those who come from homes where both parents work and emphasis is not given to academia, he said.
