General Educational Development (GED)

Purpose: The General Educational Development (GED) Program provides noncredit instruction to prepare students to successfully complete the GED Test leading to a State of Florida High School Diploma.

Eligibility: GED classes are offered for persons 18 years of age or older who need to complete high school; who score at or above the ninth grade level on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE); and who have withdrawn from the public schools. Students who score below the ninth-grade level will begin their studies in Adult Basic Education classes.

A special GED program for 16 and 17-year-old students is offered on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus through an articulation agreement with the School Board of Seminole County. While staff in the ABE/GED Department encourage young adults to earn a traditional credit-based high school diploma, they recognize that this may not be reasonable for all students. To enter the GED Program for 16 and 17-year-old students, applicants must have withdrawn from the Seminole County Public Schools and have parental approval.

Any student seeking admission into the ABE/GED Program, who has been expelled or is being recommended for expulsion from Seminole County Public Schools, will not be accepted for admission until the expulsion order has expired. Students who successfully complete a minimum of one term in the EXCEL Program are eligible for admission. Students may petition for a waiver through the College's Admissions and Graduate Committee.

If students attend and successfully participate in ABE/GED classes for one full term and attain a minimum score of 470 on each of the sub-tests of the Official GED Practice Tests, they can be recommended to take the GED examination before they are 18 years of age.

Program Design: Each student completes an intake interview and the TABE. An individualized study plan is then developed with the student. Instruction is provided in the five subject areas covered on the GED Test: Writing, Literature, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics. Students advance at their own pace. Instruction for adults is offered in day and evening classes at the SCC's Altamonte Springs, Oviedo and Sanford/Lake Mary Campuses, as well as at numerous outreach study sites located throughout Seminole County.

Fees: GED classes are offered free of charge for eligible adult students.

Class Registration: Students who wish to enroll in classes on the SCC Sanford/Lake Mary Campus begin their registration and counseling in the Adult Education Student Services Office in room 113, building B. They will be scheduled for classes at times that best meet their needs. They can also register for classes that take place at the Altamonte Springs and Oviedo Campuses. Students may register for off-campus classes in the classroom, during regular class hours. Contact the ABE/GED Office, in room B-224 (Building B), for class schedules and locations.

General Educational Development Test

GED Testing and Graduation: The GED Test is administered monthly on the SCC Lake Mary/Sanford Campus. Registration and test dates are available in the Adult Education Student Services Office, in room 113 (Building B). Test candidates are required to provide documentation of residency, proof that they are 18 years of age or older, a valid Florida ID or driver license and a Social Security card at registration.

Candidates must pay a testing fee at test registration. Florida GED candidates must attain an overall score of 2250, and a minimum score of 410, on each of the five sub-tests (Writing Skills, Social Studies, Science, Literature and Mathematics) to graduate. Students who meet these standards will be awarded a State of Florida High School Diploma.

Since all individuals may not be able to be fairly tested under standard administrations of the regular print editions of the GED Test, modifications of the standard administration procedures may be permitted for adults with documented need. Candidates who wish to request special accommodations on the GED Test should contact staff in the Adult Education Student Services Office, in room 113 (Building B), or the Assessment and Testing Office, in room 107 (Building A), well in advance of desired date of testing. All accommodations are granted through the GED Testing Office with the Florida Department of Education.

The GED Program provides two graduation ceremonies each year. The department also provides a competitive scholarship program for students to continue their studies at SCC. Students are notified of these activities within the GED classes and may contact the GED Department, in room 224 (Building B), for more information.

Important Note: A new GED test format was implemented on January 1, 2002. Unless a GED candidate completed a passing score on all five GED sub-tests and has been awarded a State of Florida High School diploma, the scores of all sub-tests taken prior to December 31, 2001, have become invalid. As of January 1, 2002, GED test candidates are required to complete all GED sub-tests utilizing the revised test format.

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