Coding Clarification — Using NCES Codes

I have received a couple of field based inquiries regarding the guidelines for utilizing the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) code field located on page 8, item 3, on the GEDTS Demographic form. The inquiry dealt with this question. "Can the NCES codes be used, in addition to the required Iowa Public School District codes (Fields 32-35), to identify the specific high school or building within a school district that the GED candidate last attended"? The answer is a qualified "Yes". Please remember that the use of the NCES code field is optional and is not required. Each district GED Chief Examiner can establish local district policy regarding the use of NCES codes.

The NCES field requires the entry of the standardized 12 digit NCES code for a specific building located within a school district. For Example, the NCES code for "Adair-Casey Community School District: Adair-Casey Jr-Sr High School" is "190309000007". Here is the link which provides an alphabetical listing and corresponding NCES Code for Iowa's Public School Districts sites and buildings http://www.state.ia.us/educate/fis/pre/eddata/ied06/06_nces_bldg_codes.xls.

The NCES code is listed under the headings "LEAID" and "SCHNO" columns. There are 7 digits referenced under the "LEAID" column and 5 digits listed under the "SCHNO" column. The combination of these two (2) numbers comprises the Twelve (12) digit NCES code for the Adair-Casey Community School District; Adair-Casey Jr-Sr High School.

The NCES code listing should not be shared with anyone except those person who are responsible for entering NCES codes into the GEDScoring.COM GED candidate's records. The only list that personnel who assist GED candidates in completion of the GED Demographic form should have is the "Iowa Public School Index" list. There is a potential problem that the two lists could become confused.