The approximately 279,000 Oklahomans without high school diplomas now have another way to earn the credential that will help them advance in careers or further their education.
Oklahoma CareerTech’s Adult Education and Family Literacy division has launched the Oklahoma Career Readiness Diploma, which allows participants to count scores from previous assessments, like the GED and HiSET tests, along with any credits they earned in high school.
The new program won’t replace GED or HiSET tests, but will simply offer students another pathway to high school equivalency.
“It’s another tool in our tool belt,” said Lance Allee, AEFL program specialist and Career Readiness Diploma liaison. Oklahoma CareerTech became responsible for adult education and family literacy in 2014 after the state legislature voted to move the adult education grant to ODCTE from the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Not having a high school diploma hurts individuals’ job prospects and harms Oklahoma’s economy, Allee said. The number of people without a diploma -- almost 10% of the state’s population -- could discourage businesses considering relocating to Oklahoma because it shrinks the pool of available employees.
“When we see that number, we know that there’s something wrong,” Allee said. “We know that there are many individuals out there who are seeking high school equivalency, whether for postsecondary or employment or just to set an example for someone else at home. Achieving this high school equivalency is something very special.”
For many years, adults seeking a high school equivalency diploma had to take the GED tests, which featured five subject area tests. A student could pass all five subject areas, but not achieve the total score and average score required to receive the diploma, Allee said, and eventually those scores would expire. Scores in HiSET, which Oklahoma began offering about 12 years ago, do not expire, but students must still have a passing average score.
With the Oklahoma Career Readiness Diploma, however, students can use those passing scores and concentrate on the areas in which they need improvement, Allee said.
“We can take expired scores, and we can use those scores because when you took the math test in 1997 you showed us you know how to do the content that was asked of you, and now we’re going to use that,” he said. “We’re not going to let that expire.”
Students seeking an Oklahoma Career Readiness Diploma must spend at least 12 instructional hours in an AEFL program that will be geared toward what they need, Allee said. They will also spend time building a resume and learning interview and workforce skills so when they earn the diploma, they will be more prepared for employment.
The program will offer students a transcript, not just a diploma, which will benefit those who want to continue their education.
Allee said his goal is to help 1,000 Oklahomans earn the diploma in the first year and continue to grow the program every year after that.
“With every credential you get, it just betters your state,” he said.
More information about the Oklahoma Career Readiness Diploma can be found on the Oklahoma CareerTech website at https://oklahoma.gov/careertech/educators/adult-education-and-family-literacy/teacher-resources.html. More information about the Adult Education and Family Literacy division and providers around the state can be found on the website at https://oklahoma.gov/careertech/educators/adult-education-and-family-literacy.html.
Oklahoma CareerTech: Oklahoma’s Workforce Leader
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 63 campuses, 394 PK-12 school districts, 20 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 49 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
