DES MOINES — Iowans ranked highest for the percentage of individuals who passed a high school equivalency exam administered in 25 states and four U.S. territories, state officials announced Tuesday.
Last year, 95.9% of Iowans seeking a high school equivalency diploma passed the HiSET exam compared with 80.5% nationally. A total of 1,003 Iowans passed the exam, which was developed by the nonprofit Educational Testing Service.
The passing rate was not far behind for Cedar Valley test-takers. During 2020, 224 of the 242 people who took the HiSet through Hawkeye Community College successfully completed it, according to spokeswoman Mary Pat Moore. That is a rate of 92.6%.
Hawkeye administers the exam for its 10-county service area. Students enroll in study courses at Hawkeye’s downtown Waterloo Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center. “Currently, we have about 430 students enrolled,” said Moore.
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“Achieving the highest passing rate on the HiSET is a testament to these hardworking Iowans and the quality of adult education and literacy programming provided through Iowa’s 15 community colleges,” said Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo in a statement.
“I commend these students for their hard work and the commitment of the adult education and literacy coordinators and instructors who are helping them take the next steps to postsecondary education, training and careers,” Lebo added.
According to the department, the HiSET has served as the state-approved test since 2014. The exam measures the knowledge and proficiency equivalent to those of an Iowa high school graduate. Passing the HiSET exam is one possible path for Iowans to earn a high school equivalency diploma.
Iowa law allows state providers to offer alternative pathways for students to demonstrate competency that would lead to the issuance of high school equivalency diplomas by the state Education Department. In addition to passing the state-approved exam, providers may offer high school equivalency diplomas based on the attainment of high school credit, postsecondary degree or foreign postsecondary degree.
Department officials noted that opportunities to earn a high school equivalency diploma play an important role in helping build Iowa’s talent pipeline for the careers of today and tomorrow — a key element of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Future Ready Iowa initiative that calls for 70% of Iowans having education or training beyond high school by 2025.
The exam, which is offered both online and in written formats, has five subtests: reading, writing/essay, social studies, science and math. The cost to take all five subject area tests currently is $53.75. The cost to take a single-subject test is $10.75.
Hawkeye will offer its next high school completion program session starting Oct. 18.
Staff writer Andrew Wind contributed to this story.