Florida Department of Education
GED Exit Option Model 2004-2005
Frequently Asked Questions
Background
1.
?
What is the GED Exit Option Model?
The GED Exit Option Model is a graduation strategy that permits currently enrolled high school
students who are at risk of not graduating with their cohort group to earn a standard diploma
through an alternate graduation route. It is not designed to be a vehicle for early exit. Students
participating in this strategy may not graduate before their cohort group, defined as the group
with whom they entered kindergarten.
2.
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What are the requirements for successful completion of the GED Exit Option Model?
In addition to passing both sections of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT),
students graduating via the GED Exit Option Model must pass the GED Tests in order to receive
a standard diploma.
3.
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Is a student who participates in the GED Exit Option Model exempted from earning the
number of credits required for a standard high school diploma?
Yes. Students enrolled in the GED Exit Option Model strategy are exempted from the
requirement to earn a specific number of credits and the requirement to achieve a minimum 2.0
grade point average. However, these students are required to pass both sections of the FCAT in
order to receive a standard diploma. The transcripts of students who participate in this strategy
will indicate an alternative graduation route and will reflect only the actual number of credits
earned.
Eligibility and Enrollment
4.
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How are students selected to participate in the GED Exit Option Model?
Selection procedures for participation in the GED Exit Option Model must ensure that students
who enroll are those who will not graduate with their cohort group due to credit deficiency or
low grade point average and who are otherwise capable of meeting graduation requirements. To
be eligible to participate in this strategy, students must
y
be at least 16 years of age and currently enrolled in a PK-12 public school program
y
be enrolled in courses that meet high school graduation requirements
y
be overage for grade and/or in jeopardy of not graduating with their cohort group due to
credit deficiency and low grade point average
y
demonstrate a reading level of seventh grade or higher at the time of selection, and ninth
grade or higher at the time of testing.
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Florida Department of Education
GED Exit Option Model 2004-2005
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that many districts that implement the GED Exit Option Model add additional
requirements or criteria to those required by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the
Florida Department of Education.
5.
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Must an eligible student who wishes to use GED Exit Option Model be enrolled in a dropout
prevention program?
No. Any student currently enrolled in a PK-12 program who meets the eligibility criteria
requirements as defined in Question #4, including students enrolled in special programs such as
exceptional student education, dropout prevention, teenage parent programs, educational
programs for students in Department of Juvenile Justice facilities, and English for Speakers of
Other Languages is eligible to utilize this strategy. However, the appropriate selection of
students is critical to ensuring their success and the success of the model. The decision to allow a
student receiving exceptional education services to participate in this strategy must be approved
by the student’s individual education plan (IEP) team.
6.
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May students be placed in the GED Exit Option Model without their knowledge?
No. Participation in the GED Exit Option Model is voluntary and requires both pre-counseling
and parental consent.
7.
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Must a student enrolled in the GED Exit Option Model be enrolled in courses for credit?
Yes. Students participating in the GED Exit Option Model must be enrolled in courses that meet
high school graduation requirements. Grades and credits earned must be entered in the student’s
record. This includes credits earned through computer-assisted instruction. If students are
enrolled in level 1 (Intensive Math or Intensive English) courses, a written assessment of that
student’s need must be included in the student’s individual educational plan (IEP) or in a student
academic improvement plan (AIP) in order for that student to earn credit, pursuant to section
1003.43(7)(d), Florida Statutes.
Diploma and Graduation Issues
8.
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What type of diploma is awarded to a student who participates in the GED Exit Option
Model and passes both sections of the FCAT and completes the GED Tests and any
additional district-required options?
The student must be awarded a standard high school diploma. If the student passes only the GED
Tests, then he or she should be awarded a State of Florida diploma.
9.
?
May a student who is overage for grade and classified as a ninth grader take the Grade 10
FCAT?
No. It is imperative that school districts revise their student progression plans to allow students
participating in the GED Exit Option Model to be promoted to the 10 grade for the purpose of
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Florida Department of Education
GED Exit Option Model 2004-2005
Frequently Asked Questions
taking the Grade 10 FCAT. Students enrolled in the GED Exit Option Model as ninth graders
who take the Grade 10 FCAT invalidate the grading system. In order to be able to take the Grade
10 FCAT, the student must be reported as a 10th grade student in the DOE student database in
the semester in which he or she takes the Grade 10 FCAT.
10. What is the difference between a standard high school diploma earned though the GED Exit
Option Model and the adult standard diploma?
Students who are awarded the adult standard diploma must meet all minimum graduation
requirements prescribed for the standard diploma, including minimum grade point average and
credits earned. Students participating in the GED Exit Option Model must pass both sections of
the FCAT but are exempt from the requirements for minimum grade point average and credits
earned.
11. May students in a Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) facility participate in the GED Exit
Option Model?
Yes. However, if the DJJ educational program offering GED Preparation does not meet the
guidelines outlined in the
2003 GED Exit Option Model Procedure Manual
or if the student
served are anticipated to graduate sooner than his or her cohort group, then the student is not
eligible to participate in the GED Exit Option Model.
12. What withdrawal codes are used for students who complete the GED Exit Option Model?
If the student completes the GED Exit Option Model by passing both sections of the FCAT and
the GED Tests, then he or she should be assigned the W10 withdrawal code. If the student passes
only the GED Tests, then he or she should be assigned the WGD withdrawal code.
Annual School Report
13. What is the Annual School Report for the GED Exit Option Model and where is it obtained?
The Annual School Report for the GED Exit Option Model is distributed as part of the district
application. The data is collected via a scantron-type form developed by ACE, which owns the
GED Tests, as part of its agreement with DOE to implement the GED Exit Option Model in
Florida. The report provides a method to collect demographic information, descriptive and
assessment data of program implementation, and other useful program activity information.
The Annual School Report must be distributed to each school site implementing the GED Exit
Option Model. School staff must complete the forms and submit them to the district. Each
Annual School Report will be included in the submission of the district’s application to
implement the GED Exit Option Model. It is important that schools note that these forms must
not be faxed back in, completed in pen, or printed on non-white paper. Since this is a scantron-
type form, the Department can send it in a .pdf file format electronically. Please contact Michael
Lisle at (850) 245-0481 or via email at Michael.Lisle@fldoe.org to request an electronic form.
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Florida Department of Education
GED Exit Option Model 2004-2005
Frequently Asked Questions
14. The Annual School Report for the GED Exit Option Model asks for a NCES code.
?
Where do
I find this?
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) school codes are used to identify school sites at
the national level. These codes are generated each year and forwarded to DOE. Once a district is
approved by DOE to implement the GED Exit Option Model each year, the DOE sends the
district an approval letter with the
List of Approved School Sites for Implementation of the GED
Exit Option Model
included
.
On this list are the individual NCES school codes for implementing
school sites within the district. New school sites will not have a NCES code. DOE will assign the
code during the approval process.
15. The second page on the Annual School Report for the GED Exit Option Model asks for
demographic data. How should I complete this page if this is a new school site?
If there is no data to input on this page, it may be left blank.
GED Exit Option Authorization Form
16. What is the GED Exit Option Authorization Form, and where is it obtained?
The GED Exit Option Authorization Form is utilized to track students who participate in the
GED Exit Option Model. Students taking the GED Tests must complete this form with their
teacher and submit it to the chief examiner prior to testing. These forms are distributed to each
district’s GED Exit Option Model coordinator. DOE does not send authorization forms to
individual school sites.
It is not necessary to submit a new form at any subsequent testing since the student’s records are
updated each time he or she takes the GED Tests.
General Questions
17. What happens if a student successfully completes the GED Tests prior to passing the FCAT?
Once a student successfully completes the GED, he or she is considered a high school graduate.
Districts and programs are encouraged not to allow students to enroll to take the GED Tests until
their last semester in the GED Exit Option Model.
18. What is the passing score on the GED Tests?
Students must score a minimum of 410 on each of the subtests and must achieve a combined
score of 2,250 on all of the GED Tests.
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Florida Department of Education
GED Exit Option Model 2004-2005
Frequently Asked Questions
Student Considerations
19. What is the district’s financial responsibility for GED testing fees for students participating
in the GED Exit Option Model?
This is a district decision. Many districts accept responsibility for GED testing fees, while some
districts require students to be responsible for their own fees. Students and parents must be
informed of this policy prior to participation in the GED Exit Option Model. Section 1003.52(3),
Florida Statutes, provides that students in residential DJJ programs shall not be charged a testing
fee for the GED Tests. In this instance, the responsibility for paying the testing fees rests with the
entity that is receiving funding for providing instruction.
20. Can a student with disabilities be exempted from taking the FCAT in the GED Exit Option
Model program?
No. The 2003 legislature enacted the Enhanced New Needed Opportunity for Better Life and
Education for Students with Disabilities (ENNOBLES) Act. This legislation provided a waiver
from the FCAT as a requirement for graduation of a standard high school for students with
disabilities with specific eligibility requirements:
•
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Students who are currently seniors with IEPs
•
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Students who have met the minimum graduation requirement of 24 academic credit
requirements with a cumulative 2.0 or better
•
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Students who have taken the FCAT at least once in the 10
th
grade, the 11
th
grade and
not received a passing score
•
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Students for whom their IEP team determines that the FCAT cannot accurately
measure the student’s ability.
Because the second criterion says they have to have met 24 credits and students in the GED Exit
Option Model have not, ENNOBLES does not apply for these students.
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