Administration of High School Equivalence Program

PURPOSE: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (department) determines applicant eligibility, arranges for testing, establishes minimum standard score requirements, issues certificates, and approves reexamination. (1) To be eligible to earn a Missouri Certificate of High School Equivalence, a person must be a resident of Missouri (with a Missouri mailing address) and meet one (1) of the following requirements: (A) Be seventeen (17) years of age or older; (B) Be currently enrolled in school and qualify as a participant in an approved Missouri Option Program for at-risk youth; (C) Be withdrawn from school, have successfully completed sixteen (16) units of credit toward high school graduation, and have written confirmation of course completion from the superintendent of schools where the most recent high school graduation credits were earned; or (D) If home schooled, have met the requirements of section 167.031, RSMo, for course instruction, and have written permission of the parent or legal guardian. (2) Missouri Certificate of High School Equivalence administration. (A) The test(s) to earn a certificate is administered under the direction of the department at testing centers approved and designated by the department. (B) Scheduling a test may be completed online. (C) The examinee-selected testing center approved and designated by the department is responsible for confirming positive identification of examinees. Positive identification is defined in this rule as— 1. A current, permanent Missouri driver’s license, which includes a driver, nondriver, intermediate, commercial, or instruction (learner’s) permit; 2. A temporary Missouri license, which includes a temporary driver, nondriver, intermediate, commercial, or instruction (learner’s) permit; 3. A Missouri non-driver identification card; 4. A U.S.-issued passport, or passport card, and proof of Missouri residency per paragraphs (2)(C)1.–3.; 5. A U.S. Military ID and proof of Missouri residency per paragraphs (2)(C)1.–3.; or 6. A tribal identification card and proof of Missouri residency per paragraphs (2)(C)1.–3. (D) Before being allowed to take the tests, examinees will be required to present appropriate original supporting documentation to the local testing center approved and designated by the department. AND SECONDARY EDUCATION 1. Examinees who are over seventeen (17) years of age who have dropped out of school— A. Must provide positive identification as defined above in (2)(C) if they are taking the test at a high school equivalence testing center approved and designated by the department; or B. Must provide the following, if they are taking the test at home or a secure location: (I) The examinee’s full name; (II) The examinee’s date of birth; (III) The last four (4) digits of the examinee’s Social Security number; and (IV) The examinee’s assigned testing ID number. 2. Examinees who are enrolled in the Missouri Option Program must provide— A. A school-issued identification card or badge that shows all of the following: (I) The student’s full name; (II) The student’s current address; (III) The student’s date of birth; (IV) The student’s signature; and (V) The student’s photograph; or B. A school-issued identification card or badge that does not show all of the information required in subparagraph (2) (D)2.A., in combination with a letter on the student’s school letterhead and signed by their Missouri Option Program teacher, coordinator, or authorized school personnel that contains the information required in parts (2)(D)2.A.(I)–(V); and C. Any of the forms of identification outlined in this regulation, if the examinee is enrolled in the Missouri Option Program and is in the custody of the state or county. (E) Examination fee(s) must be paid by the examinee to cover the cost of administering the program. Based on the test(s) identified by the department and method of test administration chosen by the examinee, fees may be paid to the department, testing center approved and designated by the department, or test vendor. These fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Duplicate certificates are available for an additional fee. (3) The Missouri Certificate of High School Equivalence is awarded on the basis of the successful completion of the designated test(s). Minimum standard scores are established in accordance with policies of the department. (4) Certificates are issued only by the department. Public high schools are not permitted to issue these certificates nor are they permitted to issue a diploma on the basis of the designated test(s) unless the district is part of the Missouri Option Program. (5) Reexamination. (A) An applicant who fails to qualify for the certificate on the first testing may be approved for additional attempts. The applicant is responsible for all applicable fees. (6) Tests given by the Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) or United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) are recognized by Missouri. Scores must be submitted to the High School Equivalency Office, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480. A certificate will be issued if the standard scores meet the minimum score requirements. AUTHORITY: sections 161.092, 161.093, and 167.031, RSMo 2016, and section 161.095, RSMo Supp. 2021.* This rule previously filed as 5 CSR 60-100.020 and 5 CSR 20-500.330. Original rule filed Oct. 10, 1969, effective Oct. 20, 1969. Amended: Filed Oct. 14, 1976, effective Feb. 1, 1977. Amended: Filed Feb. 13, 1978, effective May 15, 1978. Amended: Filed June 28, 1985, effective Oct. 14, 1985. Amended: Filed Sept. 25, 1987, effective Jan. 29, 1988. Amended: Filed Jan. 28, 1992, effective Sept. 6, 1992. Amended: Filed Oct. 31, 1996, effective June 30, 1997. Amended: Filed March 24, 1998, effective Oct. 30, 1998. Amended: Filed March 21, 2001, effective Oct. 30, 2001. Amended: Filed Sept. 24, 2002, effective April 30, 2003. Amended: Filed Nov. 28, 2007, effective June 30, 2008. Amended: Filed Jan. 4, 2010, effective July 30, 2010. Moved to 5 CSR 20-500.330, effective Aug. 16, 2011. Amended: Filed April 20, 2012, effective Dec. 30, 2012. Moved to 5 CSR 20-200.310 and amended: Filed Dec. 9, 2021, effective June 30, 2022. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003, 2013, 2014; 161.093, RSMo 1977; 161.095, RSMo 1977, amended 2018; and 167.031, RSMo 1963, amended 1977, 1986, 1990, 1993, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009.