Guelph woman 'in great distress' as GED high school equivalency comes to an end

Bethany Pypa of Guelph washoping a new diploma wouldturn her life around.

She needs a high school diploma or equivalency certificate like the General Education Development (GED) to enroll into a massage therapy course, helping her begin a fresh, new career.

The problem: the GED certificate, which allows those to earn the credential through a series of five tests, will no longer be available after May 2024.

"It was a shock because I thought this was available," Pypa said, adding that she has alreadyspent time and moneypreparing for a test she can no longer take. "I had the [GED testing] book. I got it a couple of years ago."

The GED testing in Canada is done by Pearson GED Testing Service in the U.S., but they will be ending their service soon. The plan is to have this all done locally by next year.

Those interested in doing the GED testing have until April 15, 2024 to write them. The final certificates will be given out by June 30.

New certification to replaceGEDs

A new certificate called the Canadian Adult Education Credential will be taking its place, but details about it are yet to be released by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Pypa is completely in the dark about this option she's unsure what it would entail.

"That could take a year in terms of what they come up with," she said. "It might even take longer than that. We really have no idea."

She's not the only one in the dark about this.

James Barlow, the president of Legacy 5 Consultants, whichprovides GED preparation training in Waterloo Region, was unfamiliar with theCanadian Adult Education Credential.

"There might be something in the works, but I have heard nothing of that," said Barlow, who is also the author of the book, Complete Canadian GED Preparation.

"And I've made inquiries. I said, 'Okay, what are these people going to do?'"

A temporary solution

In the meantime, the Ontario Ministry of Education said that those interested in a high school diploma can get it through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). Instead of doing five individual GED tests, students need to complete full courses based on prior educational experience.

Barlow said that despite it not being as good of an option as the GED, the PLAR option isa good temporary solution for now, but said that it'll take a lot more time to complete.

The total GED test time is just over seven hours total but getting a PLAR could possibly take years,Barlow said.

Pypa said she'll be choosing to get her diploma through the PLAR route instead of waiting for more details about the Canadian Adult Education Credential.

"I guess I don't have a choice," she said.

LISTEN|CBC's Blair Sanderson will explain why the GED testing program is being phased out and what's in line to replace it.

Columnists from CBC Radio3:49GED high school equivalency test ending in Canada