Kentucky McDonalds Campaign For GED, Test Changes Next Year

McDonald’s restaurants in over 50 Kentucky counties will  encourage patrons who didn’t finish high school to complete their GEDs before the exam changes next year.

It’s been a decade since the GED Testing Service has changed the exam, which is considered equivalent to earning a high school diploma (through some question whether it’s as useful). Officials say thousands of Kentuckians have taken but not completed all five parts the test requires.

McDonald’s will now display information on tray liners reminding people of the GED. There will be five separate liners that have been designed for the campaign and they will provide Kentucky Adult Education’s toll-free number (1-800-928-7323) and Facebook address (www.facebook.com/KYAdultEducation) and encourage individuals to contact their local adult education center.

This is the eighth year the fast-food company has partnered with Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education.

Next year, the test will have more college-and-career ready components that reflect where many public education systems are heading. The cost of  taking the exam will also double to $120.

All GED test takers in Kentucky are required to take a practice exam first. Exams that aren’t completed by December 18 will become void next year.

Here's some background on the initiative, provided by CPE: The McDonald’s/Kentucky Adult Education trayliner project was initiated by a Central Kentucky McDonald’s owner/operator, Joe Graviss, who piloted the program in three of his restaurants in 2005 – two in Frankfort and one in Versailles. Graviss, who is a member of the Council on Postsecondary Education, is a valued champion of Kentucky Adult Education’s services; through his example and leadership, the McDonald’s trayliner project has grown exponentially. The trayliners have always featured a message that encourages GED test credential attainment, and often features the successes of Kentucky GED graduates. This year’s trayliners feature a new group of Kentucky GED graduates and a unique message, since the current 2002 GED test series is ending and the 2014 GED test series will be launched in January. We are grateful to Joe Graviss and all participating McDonald’s restaurants for providing this opportunity for us to get this important and time-sensitive message out to the public.