Wyoming Approves CTB/McGraw-Hill's TASC High School Equivalency Exam as a Statewide Alternative

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Oct. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the State of Wyoming, the Wyoming Community College Commission and the Wyoming High School Equivalency Certificate Program announced that they have selected CTB/McGraw-Hill's TASC™ (Test Assessing Secondary Completion™) as a state-approved assessment leading to a high school equivalency certificate. The decision is the latest development in a growing movement by states across the country to identify high-quality alternatives to the GED® that are more affordable and accessible for the 40 million U.S. adults who lack a high school degree or equivalency certification. Earlier this year, the states of New York and Indiana selected TASC as their official high school equivalency assessment to serve some 65,000 annual test takers in the two states, while Nevada and Wyoming have also authorized TASC for statewide use. TASC will be available for use in all four states beginning in January 2014.

"We are incredibly proud that Wyoming has chosen to introduce TASC as a new option for the thousands of annual high school equivalency test takers in the state, many of whom will benefit immensely from a more affordable and flexible alternative to the current exam," said Ellen Haley, president of CTB/McGraw-Hill. "As postsecondary degrees continue to be a prerequisite for some of the fastest-growing industries in our economy, the accessibility of testing solutions like TASC will be increasingly vital to expanding career opportunities and improving the quality of life in Wyoming and across the country."

Built from the ground up to address the learning standards set forth by the Common Core, TASC provides newly developed and field-tested content that measures test takers' level of achievement relative to that of graduating high school seniors and readiness for college and the workforce. The new test features a design that allows states to gradually transition from the foundational concepts of newly implemented Common Core State Standards to a deeper alignment over a three-year period. In addition, TASC will be available as a paper-and-pencil exam as well as online, providing flexibility for test takers and allowing states to phase in computer-based testing at a pace that meets their students' needs. TASC also allows states to follow the secure processes for administering the exam that they already have in place.

Wyoming has aggressively monitored vendor developments and participated in various regional and national working groups since 2011. After completing a multi-level review and approval process, Wyoming decided that the addition of the TASC to the Wyoming High School Equivalency Certificate Program adds value and testing options for its students. Testing centers across the state will decide for themselves which of the authorized assessments they will offer in 2014 and beyond. "We believe students seeking a particular assessment to complete their HSEC will find Wyoming has created an inclusive environment with as many options as possible," said Troy Tallabas, Wyoming High School Equivalency Certificate Program Manager.

CTB has extensive experience in developing assessments for the adult basic education market. For more than 45 years, CTB's TABE® has been the leading measure of achievement used by educators, states and employers to assess the knowledge and skills of test takers. CTB's expertise and capabilities in assessing adult basic education allowed the company to respond quickly to states' need for an alternative high school equivalency assessment.

TASC assesses English language arts (including reading and writing), math, science, and social studies. It will be available in English and Spanish and in large print, Braille and audio versions.

More information on the TASC can be found at TASCtest.com or on Twitter at @theTASCtest.