The future availability of General Educational Development (GED) in Canada is drawing to a close. The certificate, crucial in certifying that an individual has the skills and knowledge at par with a high school graduate, will no longer be offered after spring of 2024. The looming closure has elicited anxiety among adults contemplating a high school diploma or equivalent.
The American company that conducts the testing in Canada has made the decision to discontinue the service. Jim Barlow, a prominent figure in the GED landscape of Canada, considers this an unfortunate step back. His company, Legacy 5 Consultants, has been instrumental in offering GED preparation training in Ontario’s Waterloo Region. Barlow’s extensive contribution dates back to the inception of the tests in Canada in the late 1990s when he was on the team that introduced them. He is also a consulting editor on the study resource used by test-takers.
The winds of change have deprived individuals of a crucial alternative. Barlow mourns, “We’ve poured our hard work into creating this opportunity for adults, only to be pushed back to square one.” He cautions the testing company to rethink their decision in light of those whose futures depend on this opportunity.
A five-part exam, the GED tests the competence of candidates in writing, reading, maths, social studies, and science at a Grade 12 level. It provides a legitimate alternative for those looking to bypass traditional schooling.
Currently, potential test-takers in Ontario have until January 31st to register for the GED. The test dates should be scheduled by March 31st as the ability to do so will be unavailable after that date, based on the decision by Pearson Vue GED Testing Service (GEDTS). All tests must be wrapped up by April 15th, with certificates issued by June 30th.
Knowing the implications of this decision, Barlow has decided against accepting new clients for his course, as the completion of their exam by the mid-April deadline is now uncertain.
The looming question is: What are the alternatives for mature students seeking to earn their high school diploma? As per Barlow, their choices are severely limited. The currently available option, the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), necessitates the completion of full courses based on past academic experiences. This is a time-consuming process, he adds.
In light of these developments, the province has stated that it’s engaged with other Canadian jurisdictions to explore possible future opportunities.
