Monday, October 29, 2007; B02

The Virginia Department of Education provided this response:

The External Diploma Program is a program developed for adults, age 21 and older, who have not had recent schooling or test-taking experience but who have acquired high school-level academic skills in other than curriculum-based programs.

It is an adult, applied-performance, competency-based assessment program that awards an adult high school diploma to skilled adults who have acquired many of their high school-level abilities in a series of simulations that parallel job and life situations. They are evaluated according to established performance criteria. It is an assessment program and not an instructional program.

In addition, students are awarded an adult high school diploma rather than an equivalency certificate.

Diagnostic phase: Applicants receive a series of evaluations of their basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics, as well as entry-level job skills. Applicants then receive an analysis, which shows the skills that need to be improved upon, together with a list of community resources from which to acquire instruction or training. In addition, applicants may pursue other means of self-education based on their needs. Upon completion of this process, applicants will be reassessed.

Assessment phase: During this phase, applicants demonstrate 65 competencies through a simulation of varied realistic tasks. In addition, applicants demonstrate an individualized competency by verifying occupational skills. Upon demonstrating 100 percent mastery of these and the 65 competencies, the adult high school diploma is awarded through a local school board.

For more information on the National External Diploma Program, go to http://https://www.casas.org/home/index.cfm?fuseaction=nedp.welcome.

Editor's note: The Web site indicates that the program is also available in Maryland and the District.