![[Table of Contents]](/icons/up.gif){kind=icon}
| National External Diploma Program (EDP). A competency-based alternative high school credentialing program for adults. Approved by JDRP for English-speaking adult students over the age of 18. |
Description The American Council on Education sponsers the National External Diploma Program (EDP), an alternative high school credentialing program for adults who have acquired skills through their life experience and who can demonstrate those skills in applied performance tests. EDP provides adults with an assessment and credentialing process that is an alternative to traditional diploma programs such as ACE's own General Education Development (GED). The program provides no instruction. It is an assessment system imbedded in a context of work or homelike simulations. The program has two phases. In the first phase, Diagnostic Assessment, the adult completes six diagnostic instruments which help identify learning deficiencies in basic skill areas. If a deficiency is identified, the adult is given a learning recommendation and is sent into the community to utilize the learning resources available. After the deficiencies have been corrected, the adult enters the second phase, Generalized Assessment. In this phase, the adult must demonstrate 65 generalized competencies in the academic and life skill areas of communication, computation, self-awareness, scientific awareness, occupational preparedness, technological awareness, social awareness, and consumer awareness. The adult must also demonstrate an individualized competency in one of three skill areas: occupational, special, or advanced academic. The assessment system is an open testing system characterized by flexibility in time, pace, and location of testing. It offers adults the opportunity to demonstrate process skills through a variety of documentation forms and to earn a regular high school diploma. Graduates of the program who were surveyed ten months after they received their diplomas reported an increase in continued learning, job promotions and raises, and self-esteem and self-confidence. Training workshop plus center materials and eight program manuals are available (contact the American Council on Education). Equipment required is ordinarily found in an educational setting. Staffing requirements may be met by reassigning existing personnel.
Developmental Funding: USOE BOAE.
JDRP No. 79-26 (5/30/79)
-###-
