I think the idea of a GED add-on is an idea with merit.  
 
 
 
 
 
Melinda M. Hefner
Director, Literacy Support Services

Basic Skills Department
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
2855 Hickory Blvd.
Hudson, North Carolina 28638
Office:  828.726.2245
FAX:    828.726.2266



>>> On 10/21/2009 at 12:18 pm, in message

<c8b60d5e0910210918u75702535w7d8fb9ee4aa1d8b at mail.gmail.com>, Richard
Sebastian <richard.sebastian at gmail.com> wrote:
Kathleen:
That's a valid concern. Any new version of the test that is more
rigorous
than the previous version is always going to make it more difficult
for
test-takers . A significant change to the GED test, especially changes
that
orient the goals of the test forward toward college rather than
backward to
high school, will potentially leave even an even greater number of
adults
out in the cold.

Perhaps there can be a GED add-on--an additional, computer-based test
that
measures a test-taker's college-readiness. this test can be optional
for
adults who only need the credential for their job.

Richard Sebastian
Instructional Technology Specialist
Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
3600 W. Broad St./ Suite 669
Richmond, VA 23230-4930
(804) 828-7537

On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 11:33 AM, Kathleen Kelly
<kkelly at nationalable.org>wrote:


>  My primary concern with this is that many of our ABE/GED students

are

> older, very low skilled and only need the credential for employment,

not

> post-secondary education.  Where does this leave them?

>

>

>

> *From:* technology-bounces at nifl.gov

[mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov] *On

> Behalf Of *Richard Sebastian

> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:16 AM

> *To:* The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List

> *Subject:* [Technology 2405] Re: The *new* GED & Tech, could it drive

tech

> expansion?

>

>

>

> I don't know about the rest of you, but I find this announcement by

GEDTS

> to be somewhat strange. These announced changes seem almost, well,

> impulsive.  In fact, after I read the first release, I briefly

considered it

> to be a prank (The Yes Men?).  The

FAQ<http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/National_Needs_Announcement_FAQs.pdf%20>provided
by the GEDTS seems to generate more questions than answers.

>

> That said, once I accepted the announcement's legitimacy, I got

excited,

> primarily because having a computer-based GED test that not only

measures

> high school skills but also reflects the knowledge and skills

test-takers

> will need for college might help spur the field of ABE to move

towards

> technology integration and transitioning. It would, in my mind, give

the

> credential more value and be of greater benefit to passers.

>

> But then I read this sentence in the FAQ:

>

> "GED Testing Service realizes that developing a more rigorous test,

to

> prepare credential recipients for postsecondary education and careers

that

> provide a sustainable living wage, will require investment in

academic

> preparation programs and post-credential transition programs.

Accordingly

> until support systems pre and post test are improved, GEDTS will not

launch

> a more rigorous test."

>

>

> If GEDTS is taking its cue from the field, then I imagine we are

going to

> be stuck in a bit of a standoff. The easy way out for everyone would

be to

> do nothing, unless some kind of federal mandate requires our field to

move

> in this direction.

>

> Who in ABE can provide the leadership and vision to prevent this

from

> happening? Am I reading this correctly?

>

> Richard Sebastian

> Instructional Technology Specialist

> Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center

> Virginia Commonwealth University

> 3600 W. Broad St./ Suite 669

> Richmond, VA 23230-4930

> (804) 828-7537

>

> On Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 8:33 PM, Silver-Pacuilla, Heidi <

> HSilver-Pacuilla at air.org> wrote:

>

> Dear All – this is all so interesting. Thanks for your post, Kay.

>

>

>

> Jason

, you must know that many years ago VA leveraged the innovation
of

> computerized testing in K-12 statewide, touting the reliability and

> speed/ease of scoring, to get computers and broadband in every school

and

> tech literacy on every child’s agenda.  The state legislature paid

for the

> infrastructure as part of the state testing contract, rather than

leaving it

> to individual districts. Altho state testing has not  been a fairy

tale by

> any means, the “pipes” were put in so that districts could focus on

using

> them for instructional content the other 179 days of the school

calendar.

>

>

>

> Might this computer based GED test on the near horizon drive some

similar

> expansions in adult ed??  How could states and programs ensure that

it

> does??

>

>

>

> Intrigued –

>

>

>

> Heidi Silver-Pacuilla

>

> American Institutes for Research

>

>

>

> *From:* technology-bounces at nifl.gov

[mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov] *On

> Behalf Of *Combs, Kay

> *Sent:* Saturday, October 17, 2009 9:50 AM

> *To:* The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List; The

Technology

> and Distance Learning Discussion List

> *Subject:* [Technology 2396] Re: The *new* GED & Tech

>

>

>

> In the State of Kentucky, our Kentucky Adult Education folks

purchased the

> computer-based official practice test several years ago for all of

our

> centers in Kentucky.  Even though the current test is print-based,

our

> students can take the OPT on the computer.

>

>

>

> In our local program, we have strongly supported the computer-based

test

> for our students to use for the computer-based OPT.  The test is

> self-directed.  As students begin one part of the test, the computer

begins

> timing the test for each subject.  We do not have to set a timer

ourselves.

> This allows for more freedom of our staff and their time.  We just

have one

> proctor for  our computer lab.  We provide instructions for our

students

> prior to the test beginning and each part of the test has the

instructions

> repeated as well.  If students feel like their typing skills are

weak, they

> are given the option of writing the essay.  The huge advantage is

that it is

> scored immediately by the software program as soon as the student is

> finished with each portion of the test!  We only have to score the

essay.

> In addition, you can print out exactly what test items were missed in

each

> subject and this allows the students to know where they need

concentrate on

> improving their skills if they need to prior to taking the actual GED

test.

>

>

>

> We ask our students prior to OPTing if they would like to do the

> print-based or computer-based assessment and 90% of our students want

the

> computer-based test.

>

>

>

> I think there will not be such a huge "technology" issue for the

majority

> of the students in regard to the GED test being computerized. 

Obviously, it

> will be our older students who may have the most problems.  I do

think that

> with many of the students, it will be the fear that their "typing"

skills

> are not as good as they would like to complete the Essay based on

time

> limit.

>

>

>

> I think field testing is the answer, but I do not see many issues as

far as

> signficant changes in the GED classroom.  We should be integrating

> technology into our curriculum and classroom anyway.  This will just

be one

> more reason to be more pro-active on the part of the encouraging our

> students to engage in learning and technology. This should be the

case

> already.........how many employers now use the computer to complete

their

> job applications?  Our students need to be able to understand how to

use the

> computer to even do the basics such as obtain a job.

>

>

>

> Kay Combs

>

> Program Coordinator

>

> Center for Lifelong Learning

>

> Georgetown, KY  40324

>

> 502-570-8984

>

> kay.combs at scott.kyschools.us

>

>

>  ------------------------------

>

> *From:* technology-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Jason Keith

Guard/AC/VCU

> *Sen

t:* Thu 10/15/2009 4:03 PM

> *To:* The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List

> *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_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>

>

> To

>

> "The Technology and Distance Learning Discussion List" <

> technology at nifl.gov>

>

> cc

>

> 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<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).

>  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----------------------------------------------------

> National Institute for Literacy

> Technology and Distance Learning mailing list

> Technology at nifl.gov

> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to

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> Email delivered to jkguard at vcu.edu

>

>

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>

>

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