Illinoisans Now Get to Choose Their High School Equivalency Test

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PRINCETON, N.J., June 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the first time in Illinois history, residents can choose what test they take on their path towards earning the Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate. The Illinois Community College Board recently approved the HiSET^® exam to be administered throughout the state.

After a two-year review of new tests on the market, state officials felt having multiple options benefited the 1.2 million Illinois adults who lack a high school credential. Illinois residents seeking their credential now have more flexibility in choosing a test based on cost and preference in taking the test on a computer or using the paper and pencil format.

"Helping individuals to achieve a high school equivalency is very important and comes at a time when jobs of today and in the future require this credential plus some postsecondary education credentials," says Jennifer Foster, Deputy Director for Adult Education and Workforce and State Administrator for High School Equivalency. 

Having test options also removes a completion roadblock for new residents as they can continue preparing for or taking the HiSET exam they may have begun in another state.   

Earning the Illinois High School Equivalency Credential opens doors for people to enter postsecondary or career/technical education programs, or enter the workforce with potential to access higher paid jobs.

"One test can change a life," says Amy Riker, National Executive Director of the HiSET program at ETS. "Having options, like cheaper test prices, or choosing whether to take the test on paper or a computer, gives Illinois residents more control in how they accomplish their educational goals leading to better career and education opportunities."

The HiSET exam, developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and Iowa Testing Programs, became a test option in 2014, and is currently approved in 21 states and four U.S. territories. Scores measure high school equivalent skills, and are accepted for college or job applications and the U.S. military. The test is offered in computer- or paper-delivered formats and is cheaper than previous options.

For more information about the HiSET program from ETS, please visit www.hiset.ets.org.

About ETS
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL^® and TOEIC^® tests, the GRE^® tests and The Praxis Series^® assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org

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SOURCE Educational Testing Service

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