Mobile GED testing workstations. (Photo from Adult Education)

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Gov. Andy Beshear has announced that the state is taking GED testing on the road, traveling to more than two dozen areas in the state that are currently lacking access to brick-and-mortar buildings with in-person adult education services. 

“As an education-first administration, we believe that access to education – from pre-K to postsecondary and beyond—is the key to a brighter future for all Kentuckians,” Beshear said. “Early in my first term, we made GED testing free, and this new traveling unit is our latest effort to remove barriers to educational access. Thanks to the extraordinary work of our local providers, we are taking testing directly to Kentuckians in need, improving people’s lives and enhancing their future employment opportunities.” 

The Lifelong Learning Branch of the Kentucky Office of Adult Education, which oversees GED services in conjunction with local providers offering services across the state, identified GED testing deserts within the state. These include remote or rural locations and other areas where adult learners face greater challenges accessing traditional GED testing centers, such as limited transportation options or a lack of conveniently located testing facilities. 

After analyzing information provided by the local providers and conducting site visits and surveys, 25 counties with no brick-and-mortar testing sites were identified, prompting the idea of a statewide GED mobile unit to fill in the gaps. The counties where the mobile unit will travel are Adair, Barren, Breathitt, Caldwell, Christian, Green, Hancock, Hopkins, Kenton, Knott, Lee, Leslie, McLean, Metcalf, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Rockcastle, Taylor, Todd, Trigg and Wolfe. 

“When Kentucky reached out to partner with Pearson Vue and GED Testing Services on a mobile unit, they applauded Team Kentucky’s innovative solution to address the problem of testing deserts,” said Dr. John Gregory, executive director of the Office of Adult Education. “A Pearson Vue-certified test administrator will travel with the mobile unit and work with our local providers in the area to provide testing to individuals who may not otherwise be able to earn their GED.” 

Other services from the Office of Adult Education include English language instruction, upskilling to get or keep a job, family literacy programs and preparing for postsecondary education. These services are available in all 120 Kentucky counties. Learn more about Kentucky adult education opportunities at kyae.ky.gov.