GED Testing Service Seeks Your Feedback (March 5, 2010)

GED Testing Services is in the process of creating marketing materials to use with prospective GED test-takers later this year. We will be conducting focus groups with prospects, but we also want feedback from adult education and GED testing professionals because your thoughts and opinions are important to us!

We are specifically looking for those of you who spend more than half of your time working with adults pursuing a GED credential, or if you are a GED examiner. If you fit these criteria and may be interested, please keep reading.

Here are the details you need to know:
Who: We will be conducting an online focus groups the week of March 15, and only 14 spots are available. We will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, so the faster you respond, the better your chances for getting a spot.

When: The focus group will be held:
#1) Thursday, March 11 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm eastern time Where: The focus group will be conducted online, so you’ll need to be somewhere that has an internet connection and a telephone. You’ll see images on the screen and the telephone will allow us to talk with you.

What: This is just an informal conversation between two of us here at GED testing service and about 10-12 others like you. You just need to show up – no need to prepare – and be ready to share your honest opinions!

If you want to participate just do the following 4 easy things:

1. Make sure you can participate on the date/time available, and will have access to a computer and telephone at the same time.
2. Respond to this email with the subject FOCUS GROUP. Be sure to include your first and last name, the state where you work, and your title.
3. Wait for an email confirmation (this will only take about 1-2 business days)
4. Mark your calendar and join us for the group conversation!

There are no risks involved in participating in the focus group. Your identity is confidential to our marketing team here so no one else in the focus group will know your full name, location, or email address. We will not share this information with anyone outside the group. And you are under no obligation to participate.

Thank you for thinking about this opportunity to share your ideas and feedback with us. Your opinions will help us help others!

If you have any questions, please contact me by email or by phone using the information below. If you would like to participation in the focus group, please remember to respond soon by email and indicate which date best works for you.

CT Turner, Associate Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Chris_turner@ace.nche.edu
202/939.9720

GED Online program (February 17, 2010)

McGraw Hill Contemporary rep, Gary Rubin, recently announced the debut of the GED Online program. This is essentially their MHC Interactive software in a web-based format (no longer dependant on CD Roms). Transitioning a curricula onto the web deserves some attention, so we asked Gary to set something up so Virginia's adult educators could find out more.

For those interested in seeing how the newly online MHC program works and to see it for yourselves, the publisher is having a 1-hour webinar on March 1st. If you are interested, Gary's webinar registration link is provided below. Questions should go to Gary as well ( garyrubin23@gmail.com ). Space is limited, but MHC can schedule additional sessions if March 1st fills up.

This should not be viewed as an endorsement of any publisher's product.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/179882952

NAASLN Webinar on GED Testing Accommodations for Students with Special Learning Needs (January 25, 2010)

How do we level the playing field for adults with special learning needs?

Register ONLINE: Go to www.naasln.org/webinars.htm

February 16th from 4:00 - 5:00 ET

Description:
Adults with special learning needs taking the GED fall into two categories: (1) Those adults with documented disabilities, who require accommodations such as extended time, supervised breaks, scribes, audiocassettes. (2) Those adults, for whom teachers have identified learning needs requiring adaptations or modifications such as magnifiers, colored overlays, straight edges, rooms without fluorescent lighting, etc. These latter adaptations do not require prior approval by the GED state offices.

This session will clarify information concerning accommodations and adaptations and will provide effective ways to prepare your students to use these tools to successfully pass the GED Test.

Presenter:
Connie Leading brings 30 years of professional and personal experience to her position with the Ohio Department of Education's GED Office. As GED Testing Accommodations Consultant and as the Chief Examiner for Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools in Groveport, OH, she has been instrumental in the development of curricula for public and private institutions which addresses the challenges faced by students with disabling conditions. In these capacities and as a mother of two "accommodated learners" who have experienced the emotional and physical aspects of learning through accommodations, Connie serves as a strong advocate for the needs of special students.

Register ONLINE: Go to www.naasln.org/webinars.htm

Fee per session:
$40.00 Non-Members
$20.00 Members **

Fee per video of this session and other archived sessions:
$40.00 Non-Members
$20.00 Members **

**NAASLN Members: To get this discounted fee of $20.00 when you register online, use your Members Only Code. If you don t have your code, contact us at info@naasln.org and we will send it to you.

Winning My GED Success Story videos (September 18, 2009)

Last year, the VALRC held a contest challenging adults who had earned their GED credential to share their experiences with others by filming a short video and uploading it to YouTube. The winner won a Nintendo Wii, and the two runners-up won iPod Nanos.

We want to thank everyone who submitted videos about their GED experiences. The three contest winners are posted below:

2nd Place: Michael Stewart

3rd Place: Cassondra Locke

GED TS Research Report on Young GED Examinees (June 22, 2009)

GED Testing Service has released the research study, Young GED Examinees and Their Performance on the GED Tests.

This study provides a comprehensive picture of GED examinees between 16 and 19 years old. What are their characteristics and how do state policies on minimum age influence their test performance? Study results show that younger GED examinees needing additional documentation and approval before testing performed comparably to examinees at the states standard minimum age. States with stricter age requirements may possibly encourage early test-takers to thoroughly prepare. In addition, the study suggests that taking and passing a practice test has a positive association with obtaining a GED credential. --GED Testing Service

The full report can be found on the GED Testing Service web site at: http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/pubs/gedts_research.htm.