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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR








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Gov. Beshear: More Kentuckians Attaining GED After Steps by Team Kentucky To Remove Barriers, Increase Access

"14,275 Kentuckians have used free GED promo to earn certificate since 2020; Kentucky boasts GED pass rate of 78%"

*FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 18, 2025)* — Since waiving the GED testing fee in his first term, Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that more Kentuckians without a high school diploma are earning their GED, with a success rate that surpasses the national rate.

“There are multiple paths to a good life, which is why Lt. Gov. Coleman and I made it a priority to help more Kentuckians earn their GED – a goal we’re continuing to find new ways to meet,” said *Gov. Beshear*. “From waiving the testing fee early in our administration to recently announcing we’re taking GED testing on the road to areas without access, we’re committed to ensuring every Kentuckian who wants to take this next step has access.”

Since January 2020, *25,269 *Kentuckians, *99% *of all Kentucky GED test takers, have taken advantage of the free GED promo to begin their path toward earning their high school equivalency certification. In the last state fiscal year alone, *3,106* Kentuckians have obtained their GED, a *2.5% increase* over the number of GED diplomas obtained during the previous state fiscal year period of July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024.

Gov. Beshear also announced that, not only are more Kentuckians taking the GED exam, but they are also passing the exam at a higher rate than the rest of the country. With a state *GED pass rate of 78%,* Kentucky is exceeding the current national GED pass rate of 74%.

“As a former teacher, I know the transformative impact a high school diploma or GED diploma can make in a person’s life. I’m so happy to see more of our fellow Kentuckians take this first step to a brighter future,” said *Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman*. “Gov. Beshear and I made a promise that this would be an education-first administration. We are seeing through that commitment every day, removing barriers to the GED, advocating for Pre-K for All and treating teachers with respect.”

More than *14,275* Kentuckians have used the free GED promo to successfully complete all four components of the GED test to earn their equivalency certificate since January 2020. At a cost of $36 per component or $144 for all four components, many of these Kentuckians likely would not have completed their GED due to the fees.

So far this year, *3,161 *test-takers have taken advantage of the free GED. Test-takers can use the free GED promo multiple times as they work to complete all four components of the GED exam.

Recognizing that cost is not the only barrier to access for individuals ready to earn their GED, Gov. Beshear recently announced [ [link removed] ] that Team Kentucky is taking GED testing on the road to reach areas across the commonwealth without access to brick-and-mortar adult education centers.

GED testing will be traveling to areas in the state lacking access to in-person adult education services. These include remote or rural locations and other areas where adult learners face greater challenges accessing traditional GED testing centers, such as limited transportation options or a lack of conveniently located testing facilities. Counties where the mobile unit will travel are *Adair, Barren, Breathitt, Caldwell, Christian, Green, Hancock, Hopkins, Kenton, Knott, Lee, Leslie, McLean, Metcalf, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Rockcastle, Taylor, Todd, Trigg* and *Wolfe*.

In addition to GED test preparation courses, services offered by the Kentucky Office of Adult Education include English language instruction, upskilling to get or keep a job, family literacy programs and preparing for postsecondary education.

In state fiscal year 2025, the Office of Adult Education saw *an 18% increase in total enrollment *in these offerings. Enrollees include working-age Kentuckians receiving adult education and family literacy services, which include GED instruction, workforce preparation, workplace training, integrated education and training, family literacy services and English language acquisition services.

These adult education services are available in all 120 counties of the commonwealth. Learn more about Kentucky adult education opportunities at kyae.ky.gov [ [link removed] ].

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