During the last few months, I have met many learners, educators, program administrators, and employers in person. This is my favorite part of my position as President and CEO at the GED Testing Service. It is truly energizing to be in a room full of like-minded professionals who are there to help, guide, and empower adult learners to change their lives and discover their full potential!

I am particularly glad this April, being Community College Awareness Month, that we can celebrate with so many of our education partners at various community colleges around the country, as well as state programs. This includes the recent celebration that we had the privilege to join the Coalition of Adult Basic Education as they celebrated their 25^th Anniversary with a great conference in Nashville.

At the recent COABE Conference, I was honored to share the stage with inspiring educators like Kelly Mobray, Director of Adult Education from the Salina Public Schools in Kansas and Gregory Larson, GED Coordinator from Los Angeles City College, as well as Alicia Kouparitsas, Chief Customer Officer with WithYouWithMe, our GED Tech Apprenticeship partner. During this session we shared success stories from programs that were innovative in providing GED learners with the additional services and support they needed to succeed. We continue to be so grateful and inspired by the fantastic work all educators and administrators offer every day to offer the best possible educational journey for our learners.

To fully understand the GED^® test, it is best to understand how the GED is developed. To ensure the integrity of the test, every item used on a GED test and GED Ready^® practice test undergoes a rigorous review process across several stages, including initial development of the content, expert content reviews, committee reviews, field testing, data reviews, and forms construction. Multiple quality checks by internal and external experts are completed throughout the process, ensuring the accuracy and validity of all GED content.

Spotlight on….is the first of a series of articles about the GED administrators and educators around the country and around the world. We are starting this series with the State of Alaska!

It has been a while since we have talked about the GED Mobile app. A lot has happened in such a short amount of time, we would love to get you caught up!

You may recall when we last connected in October 2023, we shared that 60% of GED learners do not do anything within a year of creating their account and that we are working to solve this problem with the App. We shared that we designed the app for the independent learner. Our research revealed that the primary need for this learner is confidence building, guidance, support, and study. We shared that the app will be useful alongside the website, not in lieu of. And we mentioned that we would be beta testing soon.

Let us fast forward to where we are now…

We launched a beta app in early February in record time. We have more than 400 independent learners using the app and helping us to fine tune it for a broader audience.

During beta we are learning a lot about the app from these learners. We learned what friction points exist and are adjusting the app to be more usable. We learned that the app is helping learners to study. It is boosting confidence in that 50% are now confident or very confident about taking their tests, compared to 22% before using the App. And it is improving their overall understanding of what they need to do to complete the GED– 79% say they have good or complete understanding of the steps they need to take to accomplish their GED, compared to 57% before using the App. There are lots of other data points we are studying. These are key because they reveal that the app is providing enough value and all the data suggests that we can bring the app to a broader population and make an impact for these learners.

We recently invited a group of Teachers and Administrators to look at the app. We are asking them to let us know if they see any potential for it in the classroom in its current state and to offer ideas on how we could adjust in the future to be a companion in the classroom. While we are currently focusing on the independent learner, this app will be ever evolving, and we need input from current users and future users.

There are a lot of apps that claim to help with the GED. Some are useful. Some are not. This is the ONLY official mobile app from GED Testing Service, designed and created by the company that created the GED test. We have the benefit of outcomes tracking with mobile app users, allowing us to modify and change the experience based on thousands of data points. All these factors set our app apart from all others.

We are excited for this opportunity to connect with and support our learners in a whole new way. We are working hard to learn as much as possible from our beta users and will make the necessary adjustments to bring the app to a broader audience very soon. We expect to be in the Apple app store by the time we see you at the conference in July!

We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 GED Conference in sunny southern California, where you can immerse yourself in educational inspiration alongside the cool waves of the Pacific Ocean. This year’s event will be grander than ever on all levels – more innovation, more ways to connect, more educational initiatives and programs to discover – and we’re just getting started!

We are glad to share that Early Bird Registration is now open at the rate of $495.00 until March 29, 2024; registration will then increase to $555.00 until sell out.

Join us for learning, inspiration, and new perspectives. Here are some of the innovative sessions for this year’s annual conference include:

• Train the Trainer session for the first time in 5 years! This will be especially useful for professionals in our new states and a great reminder for our seasoned educators.
• Integrated Education and Training programs to address workplace partnerships, apprenticeships, and marketing opportunities for programs at the local level.
• Learn about the GED Mobile app, how to navigate this new powerful tool, which will be extremely helpful to our learners.
• Spanish-language sessions ranging from Introduction to the GED to Math and Reasoning Through Language Arts/Extended Response Content Sessions.
• Two GED Analytics sessions for instruction for basic and power users.
• Be inspired by GED Graduate of the Year awards – by the stories of strength and resiliency of our 2024 GED graduates.

As always, we welcome attendees of all abilities. GED Testing Service is dedicated to creating a culture with a sense of inclusion, respect, and support, embracing individuals of all backgrounds. This year, we will have a sensory friendly room that will be accessible to all.

This Spring you will see a new layout of the Admins and Educator section of the GED website. The reasoning behind this revamp was to create a version that is more intuitive, easier to navigate and reflects a design that parallels the main GED.com homepage. Most importantly, all existing content will remain but may be recategorized. If pages have been removed, it is because they were found to be outdated. Your previously bookmarked URLs will automatically redirect – no worries about losing your most visited pages.

While it may take a bit of relearning to navigate this updated layout, know that user input and research were central to the process. Please take some time to explore the new webpage.

At GED® Testing Service, we thrive on empowering people’s lives through education. A great example of how we celebrate Women’s History Month is the GED Community Partnership Program with the Houston Tutorial Association and the Mission of Yahweh, a non-profit community organization that primarily serves women in Houston.

The Houston Tutorial Association provides Houston area students with exceptional services based on a core of founded study skills training and instruction. They focus on students’ academic challenges, encouraging and challenging students in their endeavors. From private tutoring to group courses, the Houston Tutorial Association can help students gain independence academically. Their services are available at the student’s home, school, or a preferred public location.

The Mission of Yahweh is a shelter that has been empowering, enriching, and restoring the lives of homeless women and children, providing outreach services to communities in need since 1964. It offers many life-changing programs focused on ending the cycle of homelessness and dependency, including educational and vocational support, an emergency shelter, and a transitional living program.

GED Testing Service launched this GED Community Partnership last year with its first cohort of ten Mission of Yahweh participants. These young women were assigned a mentor to help with leading the project efforts, as well as providing on-site access to resources, including computer laptops, in-person tutorials, and weekly accountability, supporting the program plan and desired outcomes. The impact of initiatives, such as this one, becomes even more evident when we receive initial reactions from a participant, “Y’all would do this for me? I’m so thankful. Graduating from this program will help me and my family in so many ways.”

“As I oversee the curriculum instructional support, program design and logistics, I find
immense reward in knowing that our efforts are empowering these women to reach their
educational goals and beyond, ” said Sophie Muhlherr, GED Mission Of Yahweh Director of Instructional Oversight, Houston Tutorial Association Managing Director of Programs

Ali Bobo, the Primary Instructor at the Mission of Yahweh, said, “I believe education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness, and it’s heartwarming to see the dedication and enthusiasm these women bring to their studies. They are mothers, daughters, and sisters working hard to provide a brighter future for themselves and their families.”

Adora Beard, GED Testing Service State Relationship and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager said “the GED Community Partnership with The Mission of Yahweh is inspiring and we are in anticipation of celebrating with the program’s participanting students that will soon become GED graduates. We look forward to following the success stories of more program participants and cheering their efforts and accomplishments.”

As we celebrate National Women’s History Month in March, I want to honor the successes and sacrifices of our U.S. women. The origin of this celebration dates to March 8, 1857, when hundreds of women from New York City garment and textile factories rallied to protest harsh working conditions. 52 years later, in 1909, New York City became the site of the nation’s first Women’s Day celebration, a year after 15,000 women marched to demand shorter working hours, better pay, an end to child labor, and the right to vote. More than seven decades later in 1981, Congress set aside the second week of March as National Women’s History Week. Six years later, Congress expanded the week to a month. Celebrating Women’s History Month, we reflect on women’s advances, including increased earnings, educational attainment, and job opportunities.

While we continue with our busy lives, I want to take a moment to reflect on the contributions of other women who have gone before us so we can have the opportunities we now have. This includes the suffragettes, who fought tirelessly until finally, in 1920, women in the USA were granted the right to vote. This is especially meaningful this year in the USA, with our upcoming presidential elections this November.

Some data that might be of interest when we talk about the impact and significance of women in our country:

• there were 168 million and about 165 million males in the United States as of July 1, 2022.¹
• 3 million females aged 16 and older participated in the civilian labor force, comprising 58.6% of the population.

Here at the GED Testing Service, we know that 50% of our learners are women; their average age is 23, and they are parents. In celebrating women this March, I want to specifically honor women in education, where 74.3% of all teachers are women, and, 67% of adult educators are women.

This month let’s rally to do our part in celebrating women, by supporting women’s causes, women-owned businesses, authors, and educators. Let’s honor and celebrate each other and stay informed of issues still facing women of all ages, including our learners.

“Women’s history is a woman’s right – an essential, indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision.” – Dr. Gerda Lerner, a pioneer in the field of women’s history.

¹ based on US Census data. For more information visit census.gov.

GED graduates get free access to a world-leading online training program for jobs in the technology field. Students can join for free.

HOW IT WORKS
https://withyouwithme.com/join-the-ged-tech-apprenticeship-program/

It’s time that we got serious about close reading. Survey responses received from you echoed a desire for more strategies to improve Reasoning Through Language Arts results. Over the past few years, we have focused on mathematics. We’ve worked hard to help students build their math skills – and we are seeing results. Now, we need to transfer some of that instructional energy to reading. Join us as we explore strategies to help students build their reading skills. We will explore reading skills students need across the content areas.

GED Tech Apprenticeship Program Update

The GED Tech Apprenticeship Program, a partnership between WithYouWithMe and GED Testing Service, continues to build momentum since the successful Job Fair held in Los Angeles in October 2023. Join Gregory Larson, GED Coordinator/Adjunct Faculty at Los Angeles City College (LACC), Vicki Greene, and Tom Moore as Gregory reflects upon the impact the program is having on participating LACC students following the Job Fair.

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.

When: February 27, 2024 02:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://pearson.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwlduqspjgsEtD49HFr6RAezyVQ8HMaNTP1#/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

We are thrilled to join the Coalition on Adult Basic Education once more. COABE’s mission is to inspire educators so adults succeed, and communities thrive. This closely aligns with the GED Testing Services’ mission of helping adults gain their high school equivalency diploma and improve their lives. Whether the learners’ goal is a new career, college, or climbing the job ladder, our GED program is designed to help students develop the critical thinking skills and self-confidence needed to help them flourish. We share COABE’s goal of enriching the lives of our learners by opening doors and offering innovative prospects. So, we salute and congratulate the COABE leadership, staff, and board on their 25th Anniversary and look forward to the next 25 years of this collaboration!

This year we are proud to host the “Connecting GED Grads to Job Opportunities” general session on March 19. For this session, we have convened leaders who can share their expertise, including Greg Larson, a California adult educator whose students work with WithYouWithMe, our GED Tech Apprenticeship program. We are also delighted to share the panel with Kelly Mobray, Director of Adult Education in Salina Public Schools in Kansas, to hear about their successful employment pathways for their students.

At the GED Testing Service, we seek innovative tools to help our learners and collaborate with partners to serve the changing adult education ecosystem best. Join our GED team of subject matter experts at our numerous concurrent presentations on topics spanning the range of GED 101 to Extended Response Writing tool; to Proven Partnerships and Solving the 3 of 4 Dilemma, and the best way to navigate GED Manager.

For detailed information on sessions and the schedule visit COABE at a Glance.

Expanding the reach of the GED to learners in remote locations

Do you want to reach more learners? Mobile testing centers are helping address capacity issues, especially in areas considered “testing deserts” or remote areas where adult learners have fewer options or may have transportation issues getting to a traditional adult education facility.

A mobile test center is a set of testing computers and necessary equipment that allows organizations to reach learners to take the GED test in remote locations. These testing centers are usually created as satellites of existing fixed testing centers.