Squadron, Rozic: State Ed Opens High School Equivalency Exam To Chinese & Korean-language Providers

NEW YORK – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblymember Nily Rozic announced the State Education Department has opened up the high school equivalency exam to providers offering Chinese and Korean language options. Squadron and Rozic have pushed for years for inclusion of both languages in high school equivalency exam offerings and this year the state’s Request for Proposals encourages test providers to consider including Chinese and Korean exam offerings.

Last year, Squadron and Rozic urged State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia to include Chinese and Korean in exam offerings, and secured a commitment from the State Education Department to encourage providers to provide Chinese, Korean, and other language offerings in their RFP process. The RFP encourages languages outside of English and Spanish (which are already offered), such as Chinese and Korean.

“High school equivalency is an important path toward opportunity for many, and it’s important that New York extend that path to Chinese and Korean-speaking communities,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “I encourage test providers to create Chinese and Korean-language exams and respond to this RFP. Thank you to Commissioner Elia and the State Education Department for including this language in their RFP, as well as Assemblymember Rozic and colleagues for continued partnership.”

“Now that the RFP process opens up a wider search for vendors that could potentially provide the TASC exam in Chinese and Korean, we are one step closer to meeting a diverse set of education needs that allow for greater inclusivity and opportunity,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “I thank Commissioner Elia and NYSED for following through on their commitment and Senator Squadron for his advocacy and partnership on this issue.”

Squadron and Rozic have long pushed legislation (S.4804/A.944) in the State Legislature that would require the state’s high school equivalency exam to be offered in Chinese and Korean.

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