2014 GED Test Instructional Strategies

2014 GED® Test:Instructional Strategies7 June 2013

Presenter:Meagen FarrellFarrell Ink LLC

Author of Instructional Materials

Free materials online at farrellink.com:◦ Learning for Life Sta

rter Kit◦ NEO Literacy Corps

Member Trainings

Teaching Adults: A 2014 GED® Test Resource Book from New Readers Press

ObjectivesIntroduce 5 major changes with

the 2014 GED® Test.Consider the implications for

instruction and curricula.Demonstrate a sample

interdisciplinary lesson.Facilitate groups to create their

own interdisciplinary lesson plans.

Our activities connect with the following Research-Based Best Practices for Adult Literacy:

Participate in and facilitate supportive learning environments.

Use authentic instructional materials.

Promote learner persistence.

Source: A Framework for Program Improvements in Adult Literacy

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN JANUARY 2014?

The Big Changes

Common Core State Standards

Depth of Knowledge

100% Computer-

Based Testing

New Test Pricing

Four Intertwined Subjects

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Participated in a Webinar? Pre-TestThe motto of the Common Core State

Standards is “______er, _______er, ______er.”

GED® Test items connected to the Depth of Knowledge Levels: Level One: ____% Levels Two & Three: ____% Level Four: ___%

For the 2002 GED® Math Test, the first time passing rate is ___% for paper-based and ___% for computer-based testing.

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Participated in a Webinar? Pre-TestThe “wholesale” price of the 2014 GED®

Test is $_____ for the first two years. _____________ sets the price for test-

takers.The 2014 GED® test will include writing:

◦____ min extended response in Reasoning through Language Arts.

◦____ min extended response in Social Studies.◦____ short answer responses in Science.

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Common Core State StandardsGED® assessment targets are

based on the CCSS and other career & college readiness standards

Also used for standards-based instruction

Skills standards in English Language Arts & Mathematics (not content standards)

“Fewer, clearer, higher”©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Depth of Knowledge

Replaces Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Measures cognitive complexity of a task.

GED® test items: 20% level 1 80% levels 2 & 3

1

•Verbatim Recall

•Paraphrasing

2

•Main point, patterns

•Identify relationships

3

•Inference & synthesis

•Prediction, elaboration

4

•Generating hypotheses

•Complex analysis

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Computer-Based Testing

2012 CBT Testing Results(2002 series test)

Partnering with computer-based testing provider Pearson VUE

2014: Automated scores available within 3 hours

Reduced Stress!

Increased scores

Time left over

Math Passing Rate (1st Time)

83% on computer

30% on paper

Overall Passing Rate

88% on computer

71% on paper

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

New Price for GED® TestCost for test battery $120 for

2014 & 2015-- Jurisdictions may set student fee higher/lower

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Value of the GED TestAdults with a high school equivalency

diploma earn $250,000+ more over their lifetime.

GEDTS is protecting the value of the credential for test-takers:◦Litigate to protect GED name: 40 fraudulent companies shut down already

◦Improve customer service to test-takers: great YouTube videos & tutorials!

◦Continue to research value of passing the GED Test & market to colleges and employers

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Four Intertwined Subjects

Reasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Content from Real Life ScenariosReasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Writing Constructed ResponsesReasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Interpreting Data

Reasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Questions?

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

IMPLICATIONS FOR INSTRUCTION & CURRICULA

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Find a PartnerTake 5 minutes to discuss how you

think the computer-based GED® test will impact instruction & curricula. How will it affect you? your students? your program?

As a reminder, the other changes we discussed:◦Common Core State Standards◦Depth of Knowledge◦New GED Test Pricing◦Four Intertwined Subjects

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Implications for Instruction & Curricula Who would like to share?

◦ Name one effect on you◦ Name one effect on your students ◦ Name one effect on your program

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

10 MINUTE BREAKDiscuss the implications for instructors

SAMPLE INTERDISCIPLINARY LESSON

My Two Cents on Teaching Adults• GED test prep

programs are like marathon training programs at a gym.

• Single-subject instruction is like running alone on the treadmill, day after day.

• Interdisciplinary group instruction is like working out with a team.

Inter-Disciplinary

Group Instruction

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Facilitating Engaging Lessons:Education PaysField Tested at the Legacy Program

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

• One person talks at a time.• We do not have to agree.• Everyone can share their thoughts

and feelings.• Respond to the topic, not to

others’ comments.

Are there rules you want to change, delete, or add?

How Do We Want to Act as a Group?

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

ObjectiveLook deeper at the words,

numbers, and experiences that define poverty.

Understand statistics that show the relationship between education level, income level, and unemployment.

Reflect on what we can do about poverty.

What Does Poverty Mean To You?

Why is Poverty important?

Some Questions to Consider:Why does the U.S. measure how

many people are in poverty?What social services are provided

for people in poverty?How could someone get out of

poverty?

We’re going to look at three definitions of poverty:The words in the federal

definition from the U.S. Census Bureau

A video about the experience of rural poverty from World Vision

The numbers from that define the federal poverty guidelines

The Words: What is Poverty?The United States Census Bureau offers the following

definition:

Following the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Statistical Policy Directive 14, the Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who is in poverty. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold, then that family and every individual in it is considered in poverty. The official poverty thresholds do not vary geographically, but they are updated for inflation using Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or noncash benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps).

The Experience: Rural poverty…

Rural Poverty in the United States by World Vision

What did you see or hear in this video?“World Vision has the ability to bring those ideas

into a community in a culturally sensitive way and help leaders adapt their approaches to poverty in a way that is more effective, leading people out of generational poverty.” –Ruston Seaman

“I think we want to live productive lives. I think we want our children to be happy and well adjusted. We want them to be able to pursue or chase their dreams. I think we want to be able to provide for their needs. I think we want to be able to live comfortably without not knowing where your next meal is going to come from or whether your lights is going to get cut off.” –Ernestine Skiffer

The Numbers: Poverty Guidelines 2013

For the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia

For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,020 for each additional person.

Persons infamily/household

Poverty guideline

1 $11,490

2 15,510

3 19,530

4 23,550

5 27,570

6 31,590

7 35,610

8 39,630

From the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/13poverty.cfm

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

One High School Diploma Can Bring A Family of Four

Above The Poverty

Line

Out of The Unemployment

Line

What is Poverty? What Can I Do About It?Everyone take an index card and

pen or pencil.Write for five minutes about what

poverty means and what you can do about it.

Don’t worry about spelling or punctuation. Just write down your thoughts.

Share Your Thoughts:

Each person share one thought or idea that came from your reflection.

(You don’t have to read your card out loud!)

Responses? Questions?

Your Turn to Create a Lesson!Each person should have a blank

lesson plan template and a completed example.

Get in pairs or groups up to four people.

Designate one person as the recorder to write down the lesson.

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

QUIZ TIME!!!

Quiz AnswersThe motto of the Common Core State

Standards is “______er, _______er, ______er.”

GED Test items connected to the Depth of Knowledge Levels: Level One: ____% Levels Two & Three: ____% Level Four: ___%

For the 2002 GED Math Test, the first time passing rate is ___% for paper-based and ___% for computer-based testing.

Quiz AnswersThe “wholesale” price of the 2014 GED

Test is $_____ for the first two years. _____________ sets the price for test-

takers.The 2014 GED writing sections will

include:◦____ min extended response in Reasoning

through Language Arts.◦____ min extended response in Social

Studies.◦____ short answer responses in Science.

A JOURNEY OF 1,000 MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP

Photo Source: http://flipflopsonly.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/stuck-in-the-middle-earth-with-you-a-trip-to-hobbiton-new-zealand/

Photo Source: http://flipflopsonly.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/stuck-in-the-middle-earth-with-you-a-trip-to-hobbiton-new-zealand/

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” –J.R.R. Tolkein via Bilbo Baggins

Thank You & DisclaimerRAFFLE!!!Please complete the evaluation!This workshop was developed with

the support of The Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland.

All other logos, images, and quotes are fair use for non-profit, educational purposes. They are the property of their respective copyright/trademark owners. Use does not imply sponsorship, endorsement or affiliation of any kind.