A new test will replace the GED program as a statewide high school equivalency test in December.

The last GED testing date at Flathead Valley Community College is Dec. 20.

The college will begin using the High School Equivalency Test known as the HiSET, developed through the Educational Testing Service. The nonprofit testing service has developed other well-known assessments such as the GRE revised general test.

The HiSET is  similar to the current GED program, which tests students in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies.

Beginning Jan. 2, 2014, test takers will be able to combine individual GED subject test scores from 2002 to 2013 with HiSET scores if they are unable to complete all five sections of the GED test in 2013, according to a press release from the state Office of Public Instruction.

Free Adult Basic Education test preparation classes will continue to be offered at the college when HiSET goes into effect.

Montana is one of nine states that have adopted the HiSET. States sought an alternative when the new GED test, retooled by the Pearson education services company and the American Council on Education, announced a cost to test takers of approximately double the cost — $120.

The HiSET will be offered at $50 and people will be able to re-test twice at no additional cost if done in the same calendar year.

“Montanans who are looking to better their economic circumstances with a high school equivalency diploma are going to have a high quality, affordable option with the new HiSET exam,” said Office of Public Instruction Superintendent Denise Juneau. “We want to make this transition as smooth as possible for test takers, which is why it was important to allow them to combine their completed portions of the GED with the new HiSET exam.”

In addition to cost, delivery method was also a factor in the switch, according to Margaret Girkins, Adult Basic Education program director at the college. The HiSET can be taken by computer or paper, whereas the revised GED test is computer-based only.

“Some of our students are not computer-savvy,” Girkins said. “With the HiSET you can choose to do some subtests with paper and pencil and some on the computer.”

Kalispell Public Schools plans to implement a state-created Montana HiSET Option Program for high school students at risk of dropping out without earning a diploma. The district is waiting for approval from the Office of Public Instruction on a proposal submitted earlier this month.

The Montana HiSET Option Program offers another path for academically capable students who are significantly deficient in credits to graduate on time with their class. These students are likely to have personal circumstances that interfere with their academics, said Jodie Barber, director of Linderman Education Center.

Students cannot be past their fourth year of high school to participate. If approved, eligible students will create and fulfill individualized contracts that include academic, college and career readiness and behavior and attendance requirements.

The program will require students attend a minimum of 15 hours a week at Linderman Education Center.

Barber said the program is not a credit retrieval program, independent program, test preparation program or for students who want to graduate early.

“It can’t be for those who are juniors that want to graduate early, or it can’t be for the fifth-year senior who didn’t graduate, but for those true seniors who are deficient [in credits] and there would not be a way for them to be able to earn enough credits no matter what they did just by periods and hours in a day,” Barber said.

The district has proposed allowing students to waive up to eight core curriculum credits, but students would have to complete required elective courses along with government and personal finance courses.

Barber said the program should not be considered an easy option for finishing high school.

“There is rigor built into this,” Barber said. “You still need some English, some math, some science. We’re not saying ‘OK, come into this program with 0 credits we’ll waive them all.’ In order to pass the HiSET test you’re going to need that knowledge base — you’re just getting it in a different way.”

If approved, a part-time staff member may be hired to run the program allowing up to 15 students to participate. Cost estimates if the program is implemented this school year will be roughly $12,500, and about $25,000 annually.

Since school districts receive state aid for each enrolled student, the district hopes to cover costs of running the program by retaining students who would otherwise drop out while helping them earn a diploma.

The district has discussed possibly using a HiSET seal on a diploma and denoting HiSET classes on transcripts to set it apart from traditional Flathead and Glacier High School diplomas and transcripts.

Another proposal is giving a 20-credit general diploma to students who successfully complete the program.

Traditional Flathead and Glacier students earn 22-credit diplomas.

Barber said state officials are scheduled for a site visit at Linderman Dec. 12 to learn more about center’s alternative high school offerings.

“I hope once they see the program we have in place we’ll know something by the following week,” Barber said.

Other districts that have adopted the Montana HiSET Option Program include Great Falls and Missoula.

For more information about the HiSET visit hiset.ets.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.