GED And the Special Needs-Student
An early pregnancy could well be the most common reason for students to not complete their high school education, but it is the ones with special needs, like the physically handicapped and those with learning disorders, that need extra care once they decide to obtain their GED certificates.
In fact, a lot of GED Testing Centers now come equipped with thoughtful and considerate tools and provisions for those who are legally blind, so long as they arrange things in advance (at least six weeks prior to the actual test) with their state’s Chief Examiner. More “traditional” accommodations for the legally blind include editions for tests in Braille, audiocassette, and large print. More often than not, extended time is also allowed for the special-needs student (translating into about twice the standard time for a GED test); as well as an assistant to record the examinee’s answers. Those who require supervised breaks in between long periods of sitting or staying still may request to do so, as well.
Special accommodations can also be made to those with physical, psychological, or learning disabilities. Although the passing score for GED remains the same for both mainstream and special GED candidates, there’s still a different edition of the test for special-needs students. All GED Testing Centers are required to have provisions for such, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Learning disabilities such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) need full diagnoses, as well as a Form L-15 from the local testing center. Other physical or psychological special needs would require a Form SA-001, signed by a duly licensed professional who specializes in the specific disability the GED applicant has. He or she will be the one to issue a certificate carrying both the applicant’s diagnosis, plus all records pertinent to the diagnosis. With the certificate comes an endorsement for the special considerations (such as the GED test edition and perhaps better-equipped tools) for the applicant. All these must be returned to the local testing center, where the Chief Examiner can review, sign, and forward the forms to the State GED Administrator.
Once there, eligibility for taking the GED will further be screened according to the specifications of the handicapped person’s requests. This is where things get decided over by the administrator on whether or not the state can accommodate said request. However, should the applicant disagree on the State administrator’s decision, there are still GED panelists based in Washington DC whom they can appeal to.
Still, most, if not all, of the states carry a non-discrimination Board of Education policy that transcends race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, handicap or marital status. This means any person has every right to obtain any service or program lined up by GED that will allow those with special needs to go for it. The only really important thing a special-needs student has to do is to apply for accommodations early on, perhaps right after he or she decides to get a GED.
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My 15 yr old son has been diagnosed with chiari malformation and syringomyelia. He started symptoms when he was in fifth grade, but know one found out until last yr.(2007). This has been very difficult for him, trying to stay in school and always missing because he gets headahes that dissable him, he also loses feeling in his arms and hands. He started homeschooling through the school system here where we live last yr, as a freshman because dr. thought he would have surgery, due to his condition. Neurologists at Riley childrens hospital said no surgery, so he has to live this way for now. He is a sophmore now, but he will only have 10 credits at the end of this year. He is very smart has passed every istep, and was in advanced classes most of his schooling. I don’t want him to have to stay in school until he is 21, and thats what it will take for him to graduate. I am checking into GED, but i see he needs a specialist to sign the papers for GED, there are no specilists here to sign papers, what do I do? Shirley