News and updates for April 2022:

• 2022 GED Annual Conference Registration: Join us July 13-15, 2022, in Atlanta, GA, for this year’s GED conference. We’ll have new professional development workshops, information sessions, networking opportunities, and more.
• Spanish Language Learning Tool for GED Prep: Aztec Software’s Spanish GED Prep Series was written by Spanish instructors for Spanish learners and contextualized for the Spanish GED test. Learn more about the program here.
• New Newsletter for GED students: The “GED Roundup” is our new quarterly newsletter for GED students that features updates, tips, and articles related to the GED test program. Students with GED.com accounts that have opted into marketing emails will automatically receive the newsletter.

News and updates for April 2022:

• 2022 GED Annual Conference Registration: Join us July 13-15, 2022, in Atlanta, GA, for this year’s GED conference. We’ll have new professional development workshops, information sessions, networking opportunities, and more.
• Spanish Language Learning Tool for GED Prep: Aztec Software’s Spanish GED Prep Series was written by Spanish instructors for Spanish learners and contextualized for the Spanish GED test. Learn more about the program here.
• New Newsletter for GED students: The “GED Roundup” is our new quarterly newsletter for GED students that features updates, tips, and articles related to the GED test program. Students with GED.com accounts that have opted into marketing emails will automatically receive the newsletter.

With GED Ready, learners are able to build the confidence they need to pass their GED test. With this program, learners are also able to see exactly what they need to study to prepare for their test day.

GED Ready is the only practice test on the market that gives learners an indicator of how likely they are to pass the real test. Once learners finish taking the GED Ready practice test, they will then be able to view their indicators. The three indicators are:

• Green (145-200): Learners are likely to pass the real GED test and are encouraged to schedule their test.
• Yellow (134-144): Learners are almost ready to take and pass their GED. Learners are encouraged to keep practicing a little more.
• Red (100-133): Learners are not likely to pass the test at this time and are encouraged to spend more time practicing. Learners should save time and focus only on what they need to learn.

You can learn more and view detailed descriptions about each GED Ready score by using the performance level descriptors.

When it comes to studying and preparing for the GED test, learners can link GED Ready’s customized study plan with their preferred study tool to spend time on the areas that they need to improve on. When linking their preferred study tool in the Score Report, it helps learners know exactly which pages or sections to study based on the skills they need to focus on.

GED Ready is useful for learners and will help improve their overall GED journey. Learners can purchase the GED Ready subject tests through their GED.com accounts. Educators can use GED Marketplace and GED Manager to purchase GED Ready for learners.

The time is coming to celebrate GED graduates and all they have accomplished! Join us on May 16-20 for our annual virtual GED Grad Week!

We are excited for you to help us celebrate all the hard work that our learners have done to earn their credentials and take a step closer to their dreams.

Video Submission

We know how big of a role educators and mentors have in inspiring GED students and helping them throughout their journeys to becoming a graduate. We want educators, family members, friends, teachers, employers, and others to share congratulatory messages and motivational messages for GED graduates.

We’ve also asked GED graduates and aspiring graduates to share their messages for video features we will share leading up to and throughout Grad Week.

Join the Celebration

We are proud of GED grads’ many accomplishments, and we are excited to celebrate all their hard work and perseverance. We look forward to you joining our celebration in May and encourage you to plan your own ceremonies and celebrations to align with the week’s festivities.

Join the GED Grad Week Facebook Group and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and follow and use the hashtags #GED and #GEDGradWeek during the week-long celebration.

Made Men Incorporated, a not-for-profit organization based in Kansas City, Kansas is our first official partner in the GED Community Partnership Program.

Our latest Tuesdays for Teachers webinars share tips and strategies for educators preparing their learners for the GED test subjects.

RLA

Our March Tuesdays for Teachers webinar, “Trends in Students’ Knowledge and Skills Gaps – RLA, Part 1,” shared a content-based approach to introduce trends in students’ knowledge and skills gaps in Reasoning through Language Arts.

This was part one of a series focusing on knowledge and skills gaps in RLA. The session included instructional strategies and provided some new ideas for the classroom. Special guest presenters Amy Hathorn, GEDTS Senior Content Specialist, and Cheryl Klar-Trim, Manager of Test Development, highlighted:

• How skill/knowledge gaps are identified
• Specific skills and GED indicators where students and test takers have the most difficulty
• Specific language items and writing prompts where students have knowledge and skills gaps
• Possible reasons why students and test takers are having difficulty
• Join us as we learn how we can help our students overcome those skill and knowledge gaps in Reasoning through Language Arts as they prepare for the GED test.

Our upcoming April Tuesdays for Teachers webinar, “Knowledge and Skills Gaps in RLA, Part 2 Reading,” will introduce trends in students’ knowledge and skills gaps in Reasoning through Language Arts.

This is part two of a three-part series focusing on knowledge and skills gaps in RLA. The session will include instructional strategies and provide some new ideas for the classroom. Our special guest presenters will be Cheryl Klar-Trim, Manager of Test Development, and Amy Hathorn, GEDTS Senior Content Specialist. They will highlight:

• How skill/knowledge gaps are identified
• Specific skills and GED indicators where students and test takers have the most difficulty
• Specific reading items where students have knowledge and skills gaps
• Possible reasons why students and test takers are having difficulty

This webinar will take place April 26, 2022, at 3:30 pm ET. You can register here: https://pearson.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpcOusrD0qGtwOjFyDlXM-iszg05APJfpF

Social Studies

Our February Tuesdays for Teachers webinar, “Trends in Students’ Knowledge and Skills Gaps – Social Studies,” shared a content-based approach to introducing trends in students’ knowledge and skills gaps in social studies.

The session included instructional strategies and provided some new ideas for the classroom. Special guest presenters Patrick Duran, GEDTS Social Studies Content Lead and Cheryl Klar-Trim, Manager of Test Development, highlighted:

• How skill/knowledge gaps are identified Specific skills and GED indicators where students and test takers have the most challenges
• Possible reasons why students and test takers are challenged in these areas

News and updates for March 2022:

• New Spanish Language Learning Tool for GED Prep: Aztec Software’s Spanish GED Prep Series was written by Spanish instructors for Spanish learners and contextualized for the Spanish GED test. Learn more about the program here.
• Resources for NY GED Educators: A flyer about the GED test program is available for download to share with your students. You can also use this demo link to create an account that will show you the GED.com student account experience.
• March Tuesday for Teachers Webinar: Join us March 22 at 3:30 pm ET for Trends in Students’ Knowledge and Skills Gaps – RLA, Part 1. This is part one of a two-part series that will include instructional strategies and provide some new ideas for the classroom. Register today!

News and updates for March 2022:

• New Spanish Language Learning Tool for GED Prep: Aztec Software’s Spanish GED Prep Series was written by Spanish instructors for Spanish learners and contextualized for the Spanish GED test. Learn more about the program here.
• Resources for NY GED Educators: A flyer about the GED test program is available for download to share with your students. You can also use this demo link to create an account that will show you the GED.com student account experience.
• March Tuesday for Teachers Webinar: Join us March 22 at 3:30 pm ET for Trends in Students’ Knowledge and Skills Gaps – RLA, Part 1. This is part one of a two-part series that will include instructional strategies and provide some new ideas for the classroom. Register today!

News and updates for March 2022:

• New Spanish Language Learning Tool for GED Prep: Aztec Software’s Spanish GED Prep Series was written by Spanish instructors for Spanish learners and contextualized for the Spanish GED test. Learn more about the program here.
• Resources for NY GED Educators: A flyer about the GED test program is available for download to share with your students. You can also use this demo link to create an account that will show you the GED.com student account experience.
• March Tuesday for Teachers Webinar: Join us March 22 at 3:30 pm ET for Trends in Students’ Knowledge and Skills Gaps – RLA, Part 1. This is part one of a two-part series that will include instructional strategies and provide some new ideas for the classroom. Register today!

GED Testing Service has been selected as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, providing Amazon’s hourly employees access to the GED program at no cost. U.S.-based Amazon employees will have access to the all-inclusive program that provides employees everything they need to prepare and earn their GED credential through the GEDWorks program.

On January 1, 2022, Amazon’s Career Choice program expanded to the U.S. and will pay full college tuition and fund associate and bachelor’s degrees for their employees. This program will also fund high school completion, GED credentials, and ESL proficiency certifications. Hourly employees who have been employed for at least 90 days will be eligible for the Career Choice program.

Through the GEDWorks program, employees will have access to a bilingual personal advisor, online GED study materials in English and Spanish, practice tests, one-to-one tutoring, and free GED tests

Amazon’s Career Choice program is an education benefit that empowers employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere. In the U.S., Amazon is investing $1.2 billion to upskill more than 300,000 employees by 2025 to help move them into higher-paying, in-demand jobs.

Amazon’s program has a rigorous selection process for third-party partner educators, choosing partners that are focused on helping their employees through their education programs while assisting them with job placements and offering education that leads to career success.

Amazon’s announcement about the Career Choice Program is available here, you can read more about GED Testing Service’s partnership here.

Amazon employees can sign up for the program and learn more here.

We’re offering multiple sessions covering GED program updates, professional development and the latest study tools at COABE’s annual conference.

Here’s a look at what we’re offering:

Addressing Students’ Struggles in Math, Part 1 – Computational Problem Solving
Presenters: Debi Faucette and Susan Pittman
Summary: The GED Testing Service™ has conducted extensive research to identify students’ knowledge and skills gaps in mathematical reasoning. This session will provide a content-based approach to understanding these skills gaps and how to address those issues in the classroom. Participants will explore: • specific skills and GED® indicators where students have the most difficulty. • reasons why students and test takers are having difficulty. • new ideas for addressing these knowledge and skills gaps.

Addressing Students’ Struggles in Math, Part 2 – Algebraic Problem Solving
Presenters: Susan Pittman and Debi Faucette
Summary: The GED Testing Service™ has conducted extensive research to identify students’ knowledge and skills gaps in mathematical reasoning. This session will provide a content-based approach to understanding these skills gaps and how to address those issues in the classroom. · • specific skills and GED® indicators in algebraic problem solving where students have the most difficulty. • reasons why students and test takers are having difficulty • new ideas for addressing these knowledge and skills gap.

Addressing Students’ Knowledge and Skills Gaps in Science and Social Studies
Presenters: Debi Faucette and Thomas Ross
Summary: The GED Testing Service™ has conducted extensive research to identify specific skills and content knowledge where students exhibit the greatest challenges. Adult educators have limited time to cover science and social studies content, so this session will focus on areas that provide the greatest return on their instructional investment. Participants will learn how to incorporate mini-lessons that help students build content while addressing their reading analysis and evaluation skills – essential to passing these tests.

Knowledge and Skills Gaps in Reasoning through Language Arts
Presenters: Susan Pittman and Jonna Forsyth
Summary: Some students have gaps in their knowledge and skills that may prevent them from being successful on the GED® Reasoning through Language Arts test. This session will focus on what the research tells us about skills gaps and what adult educators can do to include more coverage in these areas to better prepare students for the test. Instructors will explore sample items and identify the reasons why students struggle in these areas.

Committing to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belongingness in the Classroom and Beyond
Presenters: Danielle Wilson and Adora Beard
Summary: This presentation will share how GED Testing Service, adult ed programs, and partner organizations collaborate to create equitable learning opportunities for adult learners. In addition, this discussion will look at how community and national level organizations can further their commitment to and advocacy for historically marginalized learners, including those from Black, Latinx/Hispanic, and Indigenous communities.

Essential Tools and Resources for GED Student Success
Presenters: Brian Smith and Chris Blaisdell
Summary: In this session we will share the various resources available to educators. We will cover GED Manager, PrepConnect, GED Ready Direct, teaching tools, products, study materials for students, resources available and where to find them.

Growth Mindset + Grit = GED Success
Presenter: Susan Pittman
Summary: The past 18-months have presented endless challenges for adult learners. They’ve struggled with personal issues. Dreams have been put on hold. This session will focus on ways that teachers can help students overcome the emotional turmoil they have encountered and get restarted on the path to a high school credential. Today, students need more than academics in the classroom. They need social and emotional support that will help them persevere and build a growth mindset.

The Online Proctored GED® Test: How to Help Your Students Succeed
Presenters: Scott Salesses and Chris Blaisdell
Summary: Participants will get the latest information on the Online Proctored (OP) GED Test in order to help advise their students on the best method of GED testing for each individual. Attendees will receive key information to be in the best position to understand the OP testing experience and in turn guide their students to success.

You can still register for this year’s conference here: https://coabe.org/2022-coabe-national-conference/

We’ve added three new payment methods to improve the purchase process.

GED Testing Service is continually working to improve our offerings and meet the needs of adult educators. We know those of you with GED Manager access appreciate the ease of purchasing, sharing, and assigning GED Ready tests without voucher codes through GED Ready Direct. We added tiered pricing so you can take advantage of cost savings when stocking up on tests for your program.

We also heard you say that paying by credit card doesn’t always work for you, so we have added three new payment methods to GED Ready Direct. You can now pay via Check, ACH, or Pearson VUE Line of Credit when purchasing a minimum of 175 Ready tests. Since these GED Ready tests don’t expire, it may be time to stock up for your classroom!

More information about GED Ready and GED Ready Direct is available here: https://ged.com/faqs/ged-ready/