Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Requires DOE to develop and implement strategies to increase number of State-approved high school equivalency test centers at sites in less populated areas with access to public transportation.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning high school equivalency tests and supplementing chapter 50A of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Department of Education shall develop and implement strategies to increase the number of State-approved test centers authorized to administer high school equivalency tests at sites in less populated areas of the State with access to public transportation.
b. As used in this section:
“High school equivalency exam” means any adult education assessment approved by the State board as a basis for qualifying for a State-issued high school diploma.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require the Department of Education to develop and implement strategies to increase the number of State-approved test centers authorized to administer high school equivalency tests at sites in less-populated areas of the State with access to public transportation.
The number of test centers which have been approved to administer a high school equivalency test in the State has increased from 32 centers in 2013 to more than 50 centers currently. Most of the centers, however, are located in urban areas of the State. In Cumberland County, for example, where close to 25 percent of adults do not have high school diplomas, there is only one test center and no options are available to take tests in Spanish. Atlantic County has just one test center. This bill is intended to help make the high school equivalency tests more accessible for individuals who reside in less populated areas of the State, so that they may receive a high school diploma which is the minimum requirement for most New Jersey jobs and military admission.