New GED® graphic standards help protect students and moreIN DECEMBER 2007, Maria Garcia’s mother-in-law paid $200 for a prominent online high school program for Maria. After passing a short online test, Garcia (not her real name) was awarded a certificate that indicated she “obtained her GED.” Garcia proudly presented the certificate to her local community college only to find that they would not accept the fake credential. Although her mother-in-law was too embarrassed to complain, Maria called the GED Testing Service (GEDTS). She believed it was important to report the issue. “I would hate to see others get scammed on this,” she said, “and so-called online schools make a lot of money off people.” Garcia is only one of many people who are fooled each day by online sites purporting to offer high school credentials. Others pay far more than $200 and many start taking classes only to be forced to leave in midsemester because their credentials don’t check out. The bogus credential doesn’t get them into the school of their choice nor does it get them a better job. GED teachers and administrators can do more than get mad about this situation, according to C.T. Turner, communications director for GEDTS. “We want it to be clear that there is only one GED test and only one GED testing program, and that the GED tests cannot be taken online,” he says. “A lot of unsuspecting people get credentials online but find out when they are looking for employment or college admission that the credential isn’t accredited.” To help curb this problem, Turner has been working with GED administrators and state attorneys general. He has also just put the finishing touches on a GED style guide, which includes a glossary of commonly used GED phrases and how they should be used. He has also developed graphic standards and templates with downloadable logos to make it easier for those involved with the real GED program to visually show that fact.
The style guide and downloadable logos are available free for all GED partners at at www.gedtest.org/style. Just click on the box saying “registered trademark” and follow the simple instructions. ”We are trying to create common standards across nation,“ he says. ”This helps with the validity of the GED credential, brings visibility to the testing program, and curbs some confusion. ”We want to put an end to these scams but our attorneys have made it clear that first we must be sure we are protecting the registered trademark ourselves.“ Toward that end Turner hopes GED teachers and administrators will use the GED logo with a registration mark as often as possible. The GEDTS is also working on two pilot marketing projects, one in Arizona and one in Georgia.
They are developing full marketing plans based on research with key audiences. The goal is to provide resources for all states to create common branding. Look for more on that effort in the next issue. For more information, contact C.T. Turner at 202.939.9720 or chris_turner@ace.nche.edu. |
