President’s Corner: The Journey Ahead

I hope you all remain healthy and safe and had a chance to connect with family and friends this summer.

As we enter the back-to-school season, we are looking forward to a great year of learning and another opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of our learners. We recognize that “back to school” and the way we approach supporting and preparing students for the GED credential will look different. Whether hybrid, in-person or completely virtual, we’re entering this school year better prepared to meet our learners, however needed to help them succeed.

GED Testing Service is evolving to become a learner-centric organization focusing on meeting our learners where they are and getting them what they need to earn their GED credential and pursue their life goals. This evolution is through direct feedback from our students, educators, and partners. We are taking this information and putting it into action in many ways including improving our resource options. New offerings like GED+ helps learners create a flexible personal study plan while receiving guidance and support from an advisor.

The GED test program was created not only to help students earn a credential, but also obtain the skills they need to enter the workforce. Our move to the Workforce Skills Division within Pearson will allow us to create even greater connections to job training and employment opportunities. The GEDWorks program is expanding to include more employers, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers. Many of these new partners are creating a pathway to employment for individuals that would have previously been ineligible for open positions due to not having a high school diploma or GED credential. Our goal is to prepare our learners for the current job market that needs qualified candidates for a growing number of positions.

Being learner-centric is at the center of our continued commitment to providing equitable opportunities for all learners. Our work is rooted in recognizing the steps we have taken to be more inclusive, while acknowledging what we still need to do to be an anti-racist organization that is a strong advocate for marginalized groups including our Black, Latinx/Hispanic, and Indigenous learners. We will continue to listen, learn, and offer a platform to elevate their stories and experiences.

Collectively, we have experienced another year of uncertainty with the state of the pandemic changing daily. The safety and well-being of our employees, educators, learners, and communities is at the top of our minds as many states continue to be heavily impacted by COVID-19. We understand the need for learners to safely earn their credential and recently announced that the Online Proctored GED test option would remain available in participating states.

We know that this school year will bring continued challenges, but our learners will stay at the heart of all we do. We want to ensure that the GED learner has a better path to reach their goals and dreams. I want to thank all of you for your willingness to engage with GED Testing Service, our learners, and our employer partners. Together we will continue to change the lives of millions and give each of our students an equal opportunity.

–Vicki Greene, President of GED Testing Service