Illinois High School Equivalency Caitlyn Barnes Associate Director of Assessment and Testing Illinois Community College Board
Topics HSE Testing Data Progress of HiSET and TASC rollout HSE Housekeeping and Changes Pending HSE Changes Fee Waiver for Homeless Youth Alternative Methods of Credentialing Upcoming HSE Initiative Competency-Based Alternative Method of Credentialing TF
GED Testing Numbers: FY 17 14,662 test takers 9,453 completers 8,257 1 st time completers (first time taking the entire GED battery) 7,251 passers 77% pass rate in Illinois 79% national pass rate
GED Testing Numbers: FY 16 14,657 test takers 9,715 completers 7,811 1 st time completers (first time taking the entire GED battery) 7,645 passers 79% pass rate in Illinois 82% national pass rate
Testing Volume Comparing: Fiscal Year GED FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 12,200 test takers 6,645 completers 3,913 passers 59% pass rate in Illinois 63% pass rate nationally 7000 6000 14,657 test takers 9,715 completers 7,645 passers 79% pass rate in Illinois 82% pass rate nationally Comparing Monthly Testing Volume by Fiscal Year 14,662 test takers 9,453 completers 7,251 passers 77% pass rate in Illinois 79% pass rate nationally 5000 4000 3000 2000 FY'15 FY'16 FY'17 FY'18 1000 0 July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June
Comparing: Calendar Year GED 2012 Test Takers: 27,096 Test Completers: 24,508 Test Passers: 14,735 Pass Rate: 60.1% National Pass Rate: 69.1% 2013 Test Takers: 35,998 Test Completers: 32,590 Test Passers: 22,675 Pass Rate: 69.6% National Pass Rate: 75.7% 2016 Test Takers: 15,426 Test Completers: 9,760 Test Passers: 7,485 Pass Rate: 77% National Pass Rate: 80% 2014 2015 Test Takers: 8,979 Test Completers: 4,952 Test Passers: 2,637 Pass Rate: 53% National Pass Rate: 59% 2017 Through 8/31/2017 Test Takers: 10,830 Test Completers: 6,679 Test Passers: 4,952 Pass Rate: 74% National Pass Rate: 76% Test Takers: 13,027 Test Completers: 7,524 Test Passers: 5,806 Pass Rate: 77% National Pass Rate: 79%
HiSET Testing Numbers: FY 17 327 test takers 178 completers 118 passers 66% pass rate in Illinois
HiSET Testing Numbers: Calendar 2016 June 1 Dec 31 Test Takers: 100 Test Completers: 53 Test Passers: 33 Pass Rate: 62.3% National Pass Rate: 81.5% 2017 Jan 1 Aug 31 Test Takers: 342 Test Completers: 174 Test Passers: 122 Pass Rate: 70% National Pass Rate: N/A
Number of Subtests 250 HiSET Subtest Volume 200 150 100 50 0 Jul '16 Aug '16 Sept '16 Oct '16 Nov '16 Dec '16 Jan ' 17 Feb '17 Mar '17 Apr '17 May '17 Jun '17 Jul '17 Aug '17 Month
TASC Testing Numbers: FY 17 34 test takers 26 completers 20 passers 76.9% pass rate in Illinois
TASC Testing Numbers: Calendar 2016 June 1 Dec 31 Test Takers: N/A Test Completers: 11 Test Passers: 8 Pass Rate: 72.7% 2017 Jan 1 Aug 31 Test Takers: 43 Test Completers: 27 Test Passers: 18 Pass Rate: 66.7%
Progress of HiSET and TASC Rollout In Illinois, there are around 160 test centers (including addendums). Of these test sites, 34 have begun offering TASC and 67 have begun offering HiSET. 81 unique sites are now offering one of the new HSE exams. 63 unique sites have elected to offer more than one exam, and 15 have chosen to offer all three.
Interested? We are always considering additional testing sites! To apply, find the initial application on our website or in your provider manual. Two locations on our website: ILHSE Admin/ROE page: http://www.iccb.org/adult_ed/?page_id=447 ILHSE Provider Manual Fillable Forms: https://www.iccb.org/adult_ed/?page_id=866
How are candidates using the HiSET exam? HiSET Subtests by Format Writing RLA Social Studies CBT PBT Science Mathematics 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
How are candidates using the TASC exam? TASC Subtests by Format Writing RLA Social Studies CBT PBT Science Mathematics 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
HSE Changes Clarifications on Withdrawal Letters Clarifications on Access Requests Changes to Accepted Residency Documents HSE Transcript Fee Increase TASC Exam Price
Clarifications on Withdrawal Letters Withdrawal letters should be scanned and emailed to ilhseiccb@iccb.state.il.us or faxed to 217-558-6700. Please advise students not to take a photograph of their letter. Photos are blurry when enlarged. Withdrawal letters should include the candidate s full name and date of birth. If taking the HiSET exam, students must also provide their ETS ID number. Transcripts are not accepted unless they clearly provide a withdrawal date and are signed by a school official. Home schooled students must provide a signed letter from the individual responsible for their schooling. Please advise students to make their HSE account before submitting their withdrawal letter.
Clarifications on Access Requests Access to administer the Computer-Based Constitution Test or to enroll in GED Manager must be requested by your AE Program Administrator. Forms are available on our website or in your AE Provider Manual. GED Manager provides access to viewing shared student scores in real-time and taking advantage of GED Prep Connect features. Please note: CBCT can only be administered during the business hours of 8:30am-4:30pm.
Checking Proof-of-Residency If you are a testing center, checking for proof-ofresidency is a requirement. If a candidate s government-issued photo ID does not have an Illinois address, candidates must bring proof-ofresidency that demonstrates they have lived in Illinois for the required 30 day time period. Proof-of-residency documents are listed for candidates on each vendor s website. Proof-of-residency documents are provided to testing sites in your jurisdiction requirements for test administration. Candidates who cannot provide proof-of-residency must not be allowed to test. Follow vendor guidelines for reporting why they were turned away at the test site.
New Proof-of-Residency Document ICCB has added the IL Temporary Visitor Driver s License to the list of acceptable proof-of-residency documents for all three exams. This form of ID cannot be used for identification, but can be used to prove an IL address.
Pricing Adjustments IL HSE official transcript fees have increased to $8.00 per transcript as of July 1, 2017. On July 1, 2018 transcript fees will increase a final time to $10.00 per transcript. The price of the TASC battery in Illinois increased in 2017, as scheduled, to $94.00 or $18.80 per subject area.
Pending HSE Changes: Fee Waiver for Homeless/Transient Youth Alternative Methods of Credentialing
Fee Waiver for Homeless/Transient Youth Amendment added to high school equivalency legislation (105 ILCS 5/3-15.12) in December 2016. Waives fees associated with HSE testing for individuals who meet the following qualifications: Qualify as homeless person, child, or youth under Education for Homeless Children Act; Is younger than 25 years old as of the date of the scheduled exam; Can verify status as a homeless individual; Has completed an HSE prep course through an ICCBapproved AE program; and Is taking the HSE exam at an ROE or the Cook County HSE Records Office.
Alternative Methods of Credentialing Taskforce Created at the request of ICCB based on recommendations from the IL HSE Taskforce. The AMC Taskforce had ~30 members from AE programs, ROE s, CTE programs, communitybased organizations, non-profits, and state staff. Met March-October of 2016.
Alternative Methods of Credentialing Taskforce Reviewed three alternative methods of HSE: National External Diploma Program Excel High School Mixed-Methods/Adult Diploma approach (Wisconsin) Evaluated based on several factors: Geographic access, Affordability, Accessibility, Implementation, Rigor, Content standard alignment, College and career readiness, and Recognition by employers and postsecondary institutions.
Alternative Methods of Credentialing Taskforce Recommendations from the Taskforce were presented to ICCB in November 2016 and approved January 2017. Recommendations were as follows: To create an alternative HSE credential based on a candidate s high school transcript/hse credit. To create an alternative HSE credential based on a candidate s post-secondary credit. To create an alternative HSE credential based on a candidate s foreign diploma. To create a competency-based education alternative HSE credential, but use a working group to further investigate the criteria and requirements.
Upcoming HSE Initiative: Competency- Based Taskforce This taskforce will investigate the recommendation of the AMC Taskforce and ICCB to create a competency-based HSE option. Will consist primarily of members of the original AMC Taskforce. Investigating dates in late fall or early winter for a one-day working group session.
Contact Jennifer Foster, Deputy Director for Adult Education and Workforce, State HSE Administrator T: 217-785-0171 E: Jennifer.Foster@Illinois.gov Caitlyn Barnes, Associate Director of Assessment and Testing T: 217-524-9788 E: Caitlyn.E.Barnes@Illinois.gov HSE Hotline: 217-558-5668 HSE Inbox: ilhseiccb@iccb.state.il.us