Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-21-012.

Title of Rule: Certificate of educational competence, also known as the general educational development (GED) test.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28B.50 RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: Title 131 WAC, review in compliance with Governor's Executive Order 97-02.

Summary: Outlines authority, definition of the GED test; definition of official GED testing center; and those eligible to take the test.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Janet Anderson, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, 319 7th Avenue, Olympia, WA, (360) 664-9403; and Enforcement: Howard Fischer, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Education Division, (360) 586-2789.

Name of Proponent: State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: See Title of Rule above.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Minor updating of rules to reflect current practice.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No small business impact.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: Yakima Valley College, 16th and Nob Hill, Yakima, Washington, on June 18, 1998, at 10 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact C. Krueger by June 1, 1998, FAX (360) 586-6440.

Submit Written Comments to: Claire Krueger, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, P.O. Box 42495, Olympia, WA 98504, FAX (360) 586-6440, by June 1, 1998.

Date of Intended Adoption: June 18, 1998.

April 29, 1998

Claire C. Krueger

Executive Assistant and

Agency Rules Coordinator

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 93-22-006, filed 10/21/93, effective 11/21/93)

WAC 131-48-010  Authority. The authority for this chapter is RCW ((28B.50.915)) 28B.50.912 which authorizes the state board for community and technical colleges to adopt rules governing the eligibility of persons sixteen years of age or older to take the general educational development (GED) test subject to rules adopted by the state board of education.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.915. 93-22-006, § 131-48-010, filed 10/21/93, effective 11/21/93.]

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 93-22-006, filed 10/21/93, effective 11/21/93)

WAC 131-48-040  General educational development test--Definition. As used in this chapter, the term "general educational development test" means the most recent general educational development test ((of the American Council on Education)) as determined by the authorizing agency.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.915. 93-22-006, § 131-48-040, filed 10/21/93, effective 11/21/93.]

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 93-22-006, filed 10/21/93, effective 11/21/93)

WAC 131-48-060  Official GED testing center--Definition. As used in this chapter, the term "official GED testing center" means public or private agencies which have agreed to comply with the provisions of this chapter and with policies and regulations of the GED Testing Service, and which have been designated by the state board for community and technical colleges, administrator of the GED testing program to administer the general educational development test. Additional official GED testing centers and local GED examiners shall be approved by the state administrator of the GED testing program at the state board for community and technical colleges when the following have been documented:

(1) Need for a new testing site in a specific region or location;

(2) Need for new or replacement examiner at a testing center;

(3) Commitment of the governing board or, if none, the chief official of the proposed new testing center to meet all testing center requirements described in the GED Examiner's Manual published by GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education; and

(4) Availability of testing center personnel who meet the qualifications specified in the GED Examiner's Manual published by the GED Testing Service ((of the American Council on Education)) as determined by the authorizing agency.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.915. 93-22-006, § 131-48-060, filed 10/21/93, effective 11/21/93.]

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 93-22-006, filed 10/21/93, effective 11/21/93)

WAC 131-48-100  Eligibility to take the GED test. The following individuals shall be eligible to take the general educational development test in official GED testing centers, provided that they are not enrolled in ((a)) public, private, or home-based instruction of high school or a high school completion program at the time the test is administered:

(1) Any person age nineteen or over who has not graduated from a public or private high school.

(2) Any person between the ages of sixteen and nineteen who has not graduated from a public or private high school and who has been adjudged by a school district in accordance with rules of the state board of education to have a substantial and warranted reason for leaving the regular high school education program.

(3) Any student age sixteen or over who has completed an education center individual student program in accordance with the provisions of chapter 392-185 WAC.

(4) Any person between the ages of sixteen and nineteen who has not graduated from a public or private high school, and who has completed a program of home-based instruction in compliance with RCW 28A.225.010(4) as certified by the written and notarized statement of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who provided the home-based instruction.

(5) Any person who is an active member of the military, national guard, or reserves and has not received a high school diploma.

(6) Adjudicated youth under the director of prisons, jails, detention centers, parole and probation offices, and other corrections facilities while enrolled in school if so ordered by a court or officer of the court.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.915. 93-22-006, § 131-48-100, filed 10/21/93, effective 11/21/93.]