Unemployed? Need a GED? It'll cost you $250!

Very disappointing news! 

We don't understand how increasing the cost of the GED test by about 265% and making it computer-based only will increase the accessibility of the test for Georgia's residents. It is so difficult for many students to raise $95 to take the test as it is. You can go take the SAT for $47, or the GRE for $160.  Why is the GED going to be so much more?

To add to our frustration, we just looked on the Pearson-VUE site and saw that Georgia is a pilot state for the computer-based testing.  If we are a pilot state, why do the fees have to increase with the pilot?  It doesn't make sense to us that students are going to be penalized when Georgia elected to try out a new system. We really are not ones to criticize change just because it is change.  In fact, we are all for finding new ways to teach our students and get them their GED.

While many of the students may be able to use a computer well enough to click multiple-choice answers, most of them will not be able to type well enough to get an essay on paper within the time limit, much less have time to go back and edit it. College students who take the Regent's Writing Essay don't even have to type out their essays. They write them. 

We also don't understand why there is only a 3 month warning period.  Although we knew that there were going to be some changes to the GED soon, we feel like these types of changes and the very short time left to take the current version just came out of nowhere.  Is there anything that can be done to extend the time we have to continue with the current version? and why are we requiring more of our GED students?