Dear Michael - and all,
Michael, I agree with you that this statement is just rhetoric (and it
certainly sounds good; wish it could possible!) and is impossible, even if
the perfect potential change happened - teachers were actually taught how to
teach reading in colleges and students were actually taught how to read in
school - it would take a lot longer than 2020 to reap the benefits.  In the
Diploma to Nowhere Report released last year -
<http://www.strongamericanschools.org/diploma-nowhere>
http://www.strongamericanschools.org/diploma-nowhere - it is reported that
over $2 billion is spent yearly on remedial programs in colleges, 1.3
million college students per year SEEK OUT remedial help including 43% of
students from 2 year colleges and 29% of students from 4 year universities
(this does not include the students who choose to not ask for remedial
help), and 80% of those seeking remediation had a high school GPA of 3.0 or
higher.  So, as for an answer to your question of what it means to be a
college graduate even today: 'not much' would seem to suffice.  I think we
would all agree that these statistics are alarming, to put it mildly.
What can be done?  We must first, as a nation, admit the enormity of the
problem, make a decision to institute sweeping reform and overhaul both the
education system and colleges of education, and drop the illusion of change
that has been cloaked in rhetoric as well as gluttonously and blindly
throwing billions of dollars at the issue.  Illiteracy and education are
both huge industries, with lots of sub industries surrounding them,  and
lots of groups and businesses have benefitted hugely and stand to benefit
further from the deluge of dollars from the government up for grabs and
thrown in their direction.  The availability of such extensive amounts of
money without a clear plan practically begs to result in waste, fraud, and
abuse with lots of corruption sprinkled in.   Our children (who after just a
few years transition into undereducated adults) are suffering, our society
is suffering, and we are going to pay dearly as a nation in the not too
distant future if something significant is not done to change the course of
this situation that has long been wildly careening out of control.   We
should learn from the excesses of the auto companies and financial
industry...this can't go on forever without (further) dire consequences!  
Nora
 
Nora Chahbazi, President
EBLI Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction
Ounce of Prevention Reading Center
www.ebli.org <http://www.ebli.org/> 
810.732.4810
fax 810.732.0366
 
 
.       

  _____  

From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Michael Gyori
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 12:28 AM
To: The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List
Subject: [Technology 2392] Re: The *new* GED & Tech


Greetings to all,

The FAQ document states: 

President Obama recently asserted the need to graduate more high school
students and to support their transition to postsecondary education or
career training programs. "By 2020, America will once again have the world's
highest proportion of college graduates in the world." (Address to Joint
Session of Congress, February 24, 2009)

Before that, by the end of the 2013-14 school year, all children will be
reading at grade level, according to No Child Left Behind.

I also wonder what it will mean to be a college graduate in 2020.  I'm not
even sure what it means today.  

If 40% of all high school graduates, who have a high school diploma, cannot
pass the G.E.D. test introduced in 2002, I really must wonder what any of
this rhetoric really means, and whether teachers will be able to function
with even more pressures on their plate.

Why do I feel skeptical? After all, all we need to do is keep on pushing
back the target dates...

Michael

 

Michael A. Gyori 

Maui International Language School 

 <http://www.mauilanguage.com/> www.mauilanguage.com



  _____  

From: Jason Keith Guard/AC/VCU <jkguard at vcu.edu>
To: The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List
<technology at nifl.gov>
Sent: Thu, October 15, 2009 10:03:01 AM
Subject: [Technology 2389] Re: The *new* GED & Tech

The FAQ document released today by the GED Testing Service says that
Computer Based Testing (CBT) with the GED will be piloted in 2010.  They
will also begin field testing test items that will fill gaps between
conventional wisdom concerning college/career-readiness and the current GED
2002 test series.   

Thought on this? Will the test become more challenging? Will instruction
need to integrate technology more seamlessly to adequately prepare testers
for CBT? Will these development help expand GED credentialing or will adult
learners be left behind by these developments?   

I look forward to the discussion. Here is the document.   

 
<http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/National_Needs_Announcemen
t_FAQs.pdf>
http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/National_Needs_Announcement
_FAQs.pdf 

Jason Guard
GED Specialist
Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
3600 West Broad Street, Suite 669
Richmond, VA  23230-4930
Phone:  1-800-237-0178 or  804-827-2635  
Virginia GED Helpline: 1-877-376-9433
eLearn Virginia: 1-888-589-9003
Fax:  804-828-7539
Email: jkguard at vcu.edu
Twitter: jkguard
www.valrc.org
www.GEDVA.com
www.elearnva.com 



"Troy, Gail " <gtroy at nelson.k12.va.us> 
Sent by: technology-bounces at nifl.gov 


10/14/2009 05:18 PM 


Please respond to
The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List
<technology at nifl.gov>



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"The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List" <technology at nifl.gov>


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Subject
[Technology 2387] Re: The *new* GED & Tech	


	
	




I too wonder about that brief press release. 
  
I believe that adding a test on-line to show digital literacy could be done
and would be a great idea. 
  
If the test is to be made more difficult, so that it is even more difficult
than obtaining a high school diploma, (as you noted now 40% of graduating hs
students could not pass) - ACE has a huge reality problem . 
  
Gail Troy, M.Ed 
Lead Teacher 
Nelson County Adult GED 
  
  

  _____  


From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [ <mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov>
mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Jason Keith Guard/AC/VCU
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 1:42 PM
To: Technology at nifl.gov
Subject: [Technology 2386] The *new* GED & Tech 
  
The GED Testing Service recently announced an apparent change in thinking
about the content, purpose, and possibly method of delivery of the GED Test.
(See their press release here:
<http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/news/National_Needs_Alter_
Plans_for_GED_5th_Edition_100809.pdf>
http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/news/National_Needs_Alter_P
lans_for_GED_5th_Edition_100809.pdf).  Although roughly 40% percent of high
school seniors cannot pass the GED test, the issue of the test's adequacy
for certifying the skill levels of high school completers has long been at
issue. 

The press release describes the new GED as "a new, more comprehensive
assessment program."  Two common areas of high school experience not
addressed by the GED test are computer and digital literacy.  My questions
depends on your interpretation of the GED Testing Service announcement,
because some there appears to be a shift taking place regarding the GED.
Should the new test be administered using computers? Should technology be
added to the GED as a content area?  Would these changes help GEDTS frame
the GED as gateway to college?  Would a more sophisticated GED test leave
too many people behind who would otherwise have been able to pass the test? 

Thanks for your consideration.  I look forward to sharing our respective
speculation.       

Jason Guard
GED Specialist
Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
3600 West Broad Street, Suite 669
Richmond, VA  23230-4930
Phone:  1-800-237-0178 or  804-827-2635  
Virginia GED Helpline: 1-877-376-9433
eLearn Virginia: 1-888-589-9003
Fax:  804-828-7539
Email: jkguard at vcu.edu
Twitter: jkguard
www.valrc.org
www.GEDVA.com
www.elearnva.com----------------------------------------------------
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