If you missed a session or want a second look at one of our presentations, here’s the full lineup of everything we offered at this year’s COABE conference.

You can download pdf versions of each presentation below. Those registered for the COABE conference can watch the recorded sessions through their website.

Marketing and PR Strategies to Promote Your Program
Presenters: Eliza Wong and Danielle Wilson
PDF of presentation

Resources for ABE/GED Classrooms in Correctional Facilities
Presenters: Susan Pittman and Debi Faucette
PDF of presentation

The Online Proctored GED® Test: Everything You Need to Know
Presenters: CT Turner and Scott Salesses
PDF of presentation

GED Tools and Essentials for New Educators, Program Directors and Test Proctors
Presenter: Adora Beard
PDF of presentation

Meeting the Challenge of Taking the Online Proctored (OP) GED® Test
Presenters: Debi Faucette and Susan Pittman
PDF of presentation

Best Practices for Corrections Test Administrators
Primary Presenter: Mellissa Hultstrand
PDF of presentation

Harnessing Apps to Promote Mathematical Reasoning
Presenter: Ronald Cruz
PDF of presentation
Resource workbook

Building Writing Skills While Addressing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the GED Classroom
Primary Presenter: Susan Pittman
PDF of presentation

Committing to Inclusive Learning Environments and Support Systems for Adult Learners
Presenters: Danielle Wilson and Adora Beard
*Panel event, only available through recording on COABE conference site

News and updates for April 2021:

• Two Adult Educators Join the GED Testing Service Board: We’re excited to welcome Phyllis J. Kelley and Kellie Blair Hardt to the GED board. Read the official announcement here.
• Congratulations to our GEDWorks Student of the Month Jessica! Jessica started the GEDWorks program through KFC in September 2020. After earning her GED credential, she was promoted to franchise manager. Read more of her story here.
• Nominate your student for GED Graduate of the Month: Each month we’re selecting a GED graduate with an inspiring story about their GED journey. Winners receive an iPad and are featured on our social media channels.

News and updates for April 2021:

• Two Adult Educators Join the GED Testing Service Board: We’re excited to welcome Phyllis J. Kelley and Kellie Blair Hardt to the GED board. Read the official announcement here.
• Congratulations to our GEDWorks Student of the Month Jessica! Jessica started the GEDWorks program through KFC in September 2020. After earning her GED credential, she was promoted to franchise manager. Read more of her story here.
• Nominate your student for GED Graduate of the Month: Each month we’re selecting a GED graduate with an inspiring story about their GED journey. Winners receive an iPad and are featured on our social media channels.

Students can sign up April 19th through 30th and receive an extra month of GED Flash access for free.

The GED Flash study tool can be used on a phone, tablet or desktop and offers thousands of interactive GED practice questions. Students using the tool can receive immediate feedback and step-by-step explanations on questions covering concepts they need to know to pass.

They can choose from any of the GED test subjects: Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, or Math.

No promo code is needed.

May 17-21 is GED Grad Week. We are celebrating GED graduates and encouraging students still on their journey to continue working hard.

Throughout the week we will be sharing inspirational videos and encouraging messages, including those submitted by fellow educators and graduates, on social media. We have asked recent graduates to share how they overcame obstacles while obtaining their credential and what advice they have for other students.

Social Media Tips

In the weeks leading up to GED Grad Week, we would like you to encourage your students to use our hashtags and personalized giphy stickers when they share their GED stories online.

Next month we’ll share a full Social Media 101 guide that will include all you need to know about sharing on the social media platforms. Here are some tips from that guide on how to share, tag, and use hashtags when participating in GED Grad Week:

Facebook:

Click the “Share” button that is below the post. A drop-down menu will appear as a result.

Choose the “Share to a Page” option and make sure you select the correct page. This opens a “New Post” window in which you can share the post on one of the pages you manage. You can then add text to the post if needed then click on the “share” button.

Twitter:

How to Retweet (share tweet as it is)

1. Click the Retweet button

1. A pop-up will show you the Tweet you’re about to Retweet.

1. Click the Retweet button.

Instagram:

1. Tap below the photo or video in Feed.

1. Tap Add post to your story.

1. Tap Send To.

1. Tap Share next to Your Story, then tap Done.

How to use Giphy Stickers (IG)

1. Tap the Sticker button (a square with a smiley face) to open the sticker tray.
2. Type in “GED” to find the sticker you want and tap it.
3. Use one finger to drag and drop the sticker into the desired location.
4. Use two thumbs to pinch or expand the sticker into the desired size.
5. Finish creating your Story and post.

How to Tag

When writing a caption or posting on your story, type the “@” symbol within your post, and then type out the name of our page (@gedtesting)

How to Use Hashtags

When creating a post, make sure to include the hashtag #GEDGradWeek and #GED. You can do this but typing the “#” symbol before typing out the phrase. You may also click on these hashtags to see other posts.

Keep in mind that you cannot add spaces or punctuation in a hashtag, or it will not work properly.

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 each day:

Monday, March 22nd

Marketing and PR Strategies to Promote Your Program
Date/Time: Monday, 3/22, 8:00 am – 9:15 am CT
Presenters: Eliza Wong and Danielle Wilson
Summary: This session will cover digital marketing and PR strategies that will help you promote your program while recruiting students and sharing successes

Committing to Inclusive Learning Environments and Support Systems for Adult Learners
Date/Time: Monday, 3/22, 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm CT
Presenters: Danielle Wilson and Adora Beard
Summary: This panel will discuss how adult ed programs, workforce development organizations and others can further their commitment to and advocacy for learners from Black communities and other historically marginalized groups.

Tuesday, March 23rd

Resources for ABE/GED Classrooms in Correctional Facilities
Presenters: Susan Pittman and Debi Faucette
Date/Time: Tuesday, 3/23, 8:00 am – 9:15 am CT
Summary: Instruction in correctional facilities has slowly come back online. Teachers are working hard to get their students back on track. More technology is available through smart boards, Study Buddies, and even tablets and laptops. This session will focus on a range of materials from print to multimedia to online resources that teachers can use in their programs. Join us as we look at new materials that you can bring into your classroom to engage students.

The Online Proctored GED® Test: Everything You Need to Know
Date/Time: Tuesday, 3/23, 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm CT
Presenters: CT Turner and Scott Salesses
Summary: Participants will learn about the Online Proctored GED Test so that educators are able to help prepare, and advise, their students on the best method of GED testing that suits them. Session will include all of the information educators need along with resources and tools for students

Wednesday, March 24th

GED Tools and Essentials for New Educators, Program Directors and Test Proctors
Presenter: Adora Beard
Date/Time: Wednesday, 3/24, 8:00 am – 9:15 am CT
Summary: This session will focus on diverse platforms of tools and resources to effectively run your GED program and prepare students for success on the GED test.

Meeting the Challenge of Taking the Online Proctored (OP) GED® Test
Date/Time: Wednesday, 3/24, 8:00 am – 9:15 am CT
Presenters: Debi Faucette and Susan Pittman
Summary: Where is my scratch paper and calculator? Does that sound familiar to you? It does if you have had students take the Online Proctored (OP) GED test. Schedule it to meet your needs. Test in the privacy of your home. However, there are a few things that strike fear into students’ hearts. Join us as we share tips for making the online white board and calculator a positive rather than a negative.

Best Practices for Corrections Test Administrators
Primary Presenter: Mellissa Hulstrand
Date/Time: Wednesday, 3/24, 9:30 am – 10:45 am CT
Summary: Testing in corrections has its own unique challenges from test preparation to test delivery. The unique learning and testing environment calls for unique solutions that can be found in GED Testing Service tools and resources that can be modified for teacher and test administrator use. This session will review some successful classroom modifications, tools and resources for educators but will focus on pre-test and post- test delivery considerations for test administrators.

Harnessing Apps to Promote Mathematical Reasoning
Presenter: Ronald Cruz
Date/Time: Wednesday, 3/24, 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm CT
Summary: Adult educators across the US are experiencing challenging times as they cope with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many are forced to conduct virtual lessons with little training and preparation. Let us take advantage of this opportunity to use powerful technology tools as we continue to improve our practice in this virtual learning environment. This session will focus on desktop, web, and mobile apps to promote mathematical reasoning in virtual learning environments.

Building Writing Skills While Addressing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the GED Classroom
Primary Presenter: Susan Pittman
Date/Time: Wednesday, 3/24, 11:15 am – 12:30 pm CT
Summary: Many GED students are juggling their own learning with that of their children and changing work schedules. The stress can be debilitating and lead to putting their own goals on hold. Use this time to help students stay engaged in learning while at the same time addressing their social and emotional issues? Join us as we discuss how to combine writing instruction and practice with social emotional learning.

You can still register for this year’s virtual event here: https://coabe.org/2021-coabe-national-conference/

Phyllis J. Kelley is the Director of Adult Learning at Central Alabama Community College.

Kellie Blair Hardt is an adjunct faculty member and math instructor at Montgomery College’s GED program in Rockville, Maryland.

This month’s Tuesdays for Teachers webinar highlights the essentials you and your students need to help them succeed.

Our Professional Development team will cover important tips and strategies to help adult learners with the GED test subjects. Virtual instruction and other related technology have focused on the switch to remote learning, but the fundamentals of the GED test remain.

Join us on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, from 3:30 – 5:00 PM ET / 2:30 – 4:00 PM CT as we review the content “must-haves” for the GED classroom. You can register for the webinar here.

If you’re looking for more webinars and free resources for educators, you can always check out our professional development archive on GED.com.

All study products purchased on GED Marketplace now have state taxes added to the purchase price.

Study materials and test prep products, including the GED Ready® practice test, are taxed depending on each state’s laws. The existence of the tax and the percentage charged is based on the purchaser’s state.

This change was implemented in mid-December when we updated our eCommerce platform. Therefore, you may notice a higher total at checkout, with these taxes now automatically included in your purchase. Students will not see this change as they have been paying tax on GED Ready and other study tools through their GED.com accounts.

Some states don’t have a sales tax. If you or a student lives in one of those states, they will not be charged tax on their purchase. The sales tax percentage will be the same as if you purchased an item from another retailer.

If you have additional questions, you can contact storehelp@ged.com.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world hard. Everyone is feeling the effects of economic and social unrest that stem from this public health crisis, and GED students are among the most impacted populations. In the nation’s capital alone, 64% of adult learners surveyed are parents struggling to teach their children while schools remain closed – all while putting food on the table and trying to achieve their own educational goals.

Stress is at an all-time high. Some of the biggest roadblocks for adult learners are distractions at home, lack of time, and being unfamiliar with distance learning platforms. Luckily, students can count on dedicated educators like you to gain confidence in online learning and stay motivated.

We understand that the switch to distance learning is an ongoing challenge. It also presents the opportunity to try new tools and personalize learning in new ways. We are here to support you and your students throughout the GED journey. Here are some tips to get the most out of online learning:

• In group class settings, establish a sense of community by including time for icebreakers and short games like trivia or going around for each person to share a fun fact like their favorite dessert. Remember, you can participate too! Your students will appreciate getting to know you better.
• When team projects come up, split students into smaller breakout rooms where each person has time and space to speak and contribute ideas.
• Visual aids are important. Demonstrate concepts step by step using an on-screen whiteboard or similar tool. Encourage questions along the way. Chat is an excellent feature for this, where students can ask questions without interrupting out loud.
• Screensharing helps keep everyone on the same page.
• In 1-on-1 settings, take a few minutes to listen to challenges that your student may be facing outside of GED prep. You can then adjust the workload to be sure your student doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
• Overall, compassion and flexibility are key. GED students are often sharing devices with other family members who are learning online. Schedules may need to be adjusted from time to time.

We know that you are going above and beyond every day! It’s not easy to balance everything. To help you save time and energy, we continue to post free resources and class materials at GED.com. Also, check out the popular tools below to help students stay engaged.

GED® Play is an on-demand video learning platform developed in partnership with Aztec Software and Kaplan Test Prep.

GED Play enhances student performance on key GED measured skills with:

• Comprehensive videos covering all four GED test subjects
• Targeted content that aligns with skills evaluated on the test

• Short lessons that make it easy for students to learn without feeling overwhelmed

Try pairing GED Play with GED Flash™ for Organizations to keep concepts fresh in mind. Students are short on time, so GED Flash provides thousands of mobile-friendly interactive practice questions.

The GEDPrep Connect tool helps build connections between local students and adult education programs. Last year more than 200,000 students asked to be contacted by an adult education program through the free GEDPrep Connect tool. These learners are seeking GED preparation classes or testing, and many never heard from a program.

Adult education programs can use this tool to recruit new students without spending more on marketing. Many programs have already utilized this resource to grow their enrollments. To get started, you will need access to GED Manager, and from there, you can click on “Manage Students.”

GED.com shares more information about how to print bulk score reports, passers reports, manage enrollment, and see student test activity through GED Manager and GEDPrep Connect.