General Education Development testing was eliminated from the services being offered by the Assessment Center, effective Dec. 31, 2010.

Citing budget concerns, Director of Marketing and Public Relations Amber Chiang, said “[the GED test] is easily accessible other places in town” and mentioned that it didn’t make sense that BC would also offer the service.

“We were told by the chancellor of community colleges to make cuts and justify how every program promotes our core mission. That means you don’t eliminate things that students need to transfer.”

The GED test measures basic math, writing, reading, and social science skills. The test is eight hours long.

More importantly, it serves as an alternate requirement for those seeking to enter college when they do not possess a high school diploma.

For example, according to BC’s 2010-2011 College Catalog, a GED or high school diploma is required for admission, though “any person 18 years of age or older who is not a high school graduate may be admitted if his or her previous training or experience indicates that he or she will profit from the offerings of the college”, as decided by the director of enrollment services.

For now, BC is recommending that those wishing to take the GED should contact the GED departments of Taft College or Bakersfield Adult School.

The person formally in charge of the program, Sue Vaughn, Director of Enrollment Services, was unavailable for comment.