September 2007 Archive

eLEARN Virginia: a free statewide distance learning GED program (September 19, 2007)

eLEARN Virginia is a new statewide distance learning initiative, funded by the DOE/OAEL and managed by the VALRC, now freely available to your GED students. eLEARN Va is a great option for any student who has access to a networked computer and either a) can't attend face-to-face GED classes at your center, b) must interrupt their face-to-face GED class due to employment, transportation, or childcare issues, or c) wants supplementary GED lessons to work on outside of their regular face-to-face GED class. eLEARN Va is also an option for any out of school youth, formally released from compulsory attendance, interested in working towards a GED online.

To enroll, students must have valid TABE/CASAS scores (with a minimum of 520/221 on Reading), a working email address, basic computer skills, and a willingness to work at least 3 hours a week on their online lessons. Each student will be matched with their own online mentor who will prepare an individualized learning plan for them using a number of powerful online programs, including GED Connection, KeyTrain, Instruction Targeted for TABE Success (ITTS), PreGED Online, and GED Pathway. Mentors will also provide counseling and technical assistance to students as they move through their online lessons, and can work with local adult ed teachers to find the best educational solutions for these students. eLEARN Virginia will also track the hours and progress of online students and will report this data back to your program.

Students can enroll online at http://www.elearnva.com or by phone by calling toll-free 888-589-9003. Please contact eLEARN Va Project Manager Richard Sebastian at rasebastian@vcu.edu if you have any questions about the program.

New Race to GED Outreach Website (September 7, 2007)

Celebrate Virginia's GED success stories -- and inspire your current and potential students to "Be the Next" GED success! OAEL has unveiled a new Race to GED outreach website to promote the Success Story theme. Download GED Success Story calendar, brochure, and bookmark designs, and watch the four 30-second television spots at: http://www.vdoe.vi.virginia.gov/instruction/adulted/equivalency/outreach/index.shtml

Adult Education and Postsecondary Success (September 4, 2007)

A new policy brief, Adult Education and Postsecondary Success, comparing long-term postsecondary outcomes of GED holders, diploma holders, and non-completers has been released by the National Commission on Adult Literacy.

Authored by Steve Reder of Portland State University and the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy, the brief can be found at: http://www.nationalcommissiononadultliteracy.org/pandp.html