The start of a New Year is a time to focus on gratitude, optimism for change that lies ahead and, an opportunity to examine how we can best control our purpose with so much continued unrest and uncertainty.

We are all being challenged to think about how we approach this year and respond in a way that acknowledges the ongoing pain and suffering by so many, while considering the power we have in defining our future and our story.

Our country needs healing and I encourage all of us to hold on to the promise that we can and will be a better place for all. We have an opportunity to turn the tides for our learners who have been impacted by the pandemic. We have an opportunity to rebuild, lay a foundation to address, and make the appropriate changes on social, racial, and economic injustice. We will take all of what we learned this past year and use the wisdom gained as guidance to navigate 2021.

While I recognize we have many challenging times ahead, there is tremendous potential that exists in the changes that must take place. My commitment has never been stronger on how we will lead and change how GED Testing Service puts the learner at the center of everything we do. With over 70 years of experience, we know how to connect to our learners, we know how to listen to their needs, and GED must not leave any learner behind. They need us more now than ever.

We must have a path that puts each learner on a road to success. Success that changes a learner’s life for the better not only for them, but for generations to come. As we enter in 2021, you have my commitment and the commitment of GED Testing Service in these key areas:

• To be a safe, open, trust-worthy organization that is built on inclusivity.
• To ensure that our employees feel a sense of belonging in our company. and in their communities.
• To champion that everyone has an equal and lifelong opportunity to succeed through learning.
• As a company and as individuals, we will continue to declare that Black Lives Matter. We stand in solidarity with Black communities and will continue to support and advocate for Black people.
• To take an inclusive approach from every element of our brand to address social, racial and economic injustice.
• To make intentional steps to align, advance and connect with organizations that support and promote our learners and educators of color.
• To be a learner-centered organization that leaves no learner behind.

I recognize that navigating at a time of so much unrest can be extremely difficult, but it’s imperative that we remain hopeful, compassionate and relentless to change. It will take each of us to have goals, a vision and a passion that doesn’t rest. As a GED community, we have an opportunity to write this chapter as a team.

As we move forward through this coming year, I ask each of you to think about the following questions:

• How can you be part of the story that changes history?
• What will you do differently in 2021 that will ensure social, racial, and economic injustice no longer holds back our society?

Let’s stay connected, stay safe, stay aligned and let us change history to the story we want to be written.

I look forward to being alongside each of you in this journey.

–Vicki Greene, President of GED Testing Service

We’re starting the new year with a discount on the GED Ready practice test.

January 25th through February 5th, students can purchase any single GED Ready practice test subject for 50% off its regular purchase price for $3.00 per subject.

This promotion also applies to the purchase of a GED Ready practice test bundle. Students can purchase a bundle of all four subjects at the discounted price of $10.50.

Students will automatically receive the discount when they purchase through GED.com.

Since the launch of the Online Proctored GED test last spring, we have made updates to help more students earn their GED credential from home.

Some test centers remain closed, and others have with limited capacity and hours due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This remote testing option was created to help GED students complete their credential and remains an option for eligible students in participating states.

Here’s a reminder of what you and your students should know:

Let your students know that the Online Proctored (O.P.) GED® test is an option to them.

• State-by-state information about online testing is available here: https://ged.com/state-information-online-testing/
• Eligible students need to have a computer, webcam and internet, quiet and private workspace, a government-issued ID and ‘Green’ GED Ready score within the last 60 days.

All the information students need to know about the O.P. test is available on GED.com.

• Students can find information about eligibility, an overview of the testing process, exam rules, FAQs and more on our student online testing webpage.

Before test day students should practice with the Whiteboard tool to get comfortable before they test.

• Students can draw and write out math calculations using the online whiteboard.
• This video reviews how to use the whiteboard during testing.
• Students can learn more about how to use the Whiteboard tool and practice here: https://home.pearsonvue.com/onvue/whiteboard

Students must complete the online system check before scheduling—to make sure their equipment works properly.

• Students should do a system test to make sure their computer, webcam and internet connection meet the requirements for testing online.

Students should know that the content on the O.P. test is the same content they would see when testing in person.

• Test questions, timing and scoring are the same as tests taken in person at authorized test centers.

Our professional development team will be hosting a number of webinars to help educators prepare their students for the GED test subjects.

Our Tuesdays for Teachers series shares instructional strategies and teaching tips for educators to use with adult learners in both traditional and virtual classrooms.

Mark your calendars for the following dates:

Tuesday, January 26

Tuesday, March 16

Tuesday, May 25

Tuesday, July 27

Tuesday, September 28

Tuesday, December 7

All webinar invites will be sent via email to the InSession subscriber list and recordings will be posted on GED.com.

It’s almost impossible to put into words what looking back on 2020 means.

This is typically a time of year for reflection and a time to look back and appreciate all that has impacted our lives— a chance to provide a vision into what might lie ahead in the year to come. Although we all have so much to be thankful for this year, there remains an uneasiness of what lies ahead. At GED Testing Service, our thoughts and our hearts remain with each of you and your families that have been impacted by COVID-19. We know that this pandemic has caused disruption for all of us, and our learners.

I want to thank you for your unwavering support of our learners through this challenging year. We know that you have been a source of motivation and encouragement, and even some needed consistency in the lives of those who need it most. We know our students have experienced and will continue to face some of the biggest impact from the pandemic including financial hardship. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed.

Our plan is to remain focused and continue to invest in giving our learners better options that make the test and credential more accessible and attainable, such as using our online proctoring platform offering. We are committed to working with each of you on what is needed to prepare, educate and support the learner in their journey to success. Our partnership with you is essential to what we do, and we will continue to welcome your recommendations and feedback as we work together.

As social injustice stays top of mind for GED Testing Service, I look back on 2020 as a year of bringing a long-awaited awareness with calls for needed change. As we reflect on the tragic events of racial injustice and related social unrest, we can acknowledge the problem and advocate for change. It’s important to be a strong voice, an advocate and a leader who can make changes that positively impact each of our Black learners. We all must be at the center of leading efforts for change and advocating for social justice and equity. By taking lessons from this past year, we can focus on being more aware, more empathetic and stronger in leading and supporting social justice efforts.

There is no time like the present for each of us to reflect, find gratitude and improve our path forward. I hope each of you find the courage and strength to embrace all that you are and what you bring to our learners. We at GED Testing Service are truly grateful for your unrelenting commitment to our learners. Your passion and purpose make each of us better.

I wish each of you and your families a safe and healthy Holiday season!

—Vicki Greene, President of GED Testing Service

Here are the top five things you should know to help your students successfully prepare for and take the online GED test.

1) Let your students know that the Online Proctored (O.P.) GED® test is an option to them.

• State-by-state information about online testing is available here: https://ged.com/state-information-online-testing/
• Eligible students need to have a computer, webcam and internet, quiet and private workspace, a government-issued ID and ‘Green’ GED Ready score within the last 60 days.

2) All the information students need to know about the O.P. test is available on GED.com.

• Students can find information about eligibility, an overview of the testing process, exam rules, FAQs and more on our student online testing webpage.

3) Before test day students should practice with the Whiteboard tool to get comfortable before they test.

• Students can draw and write out math calculations using the online whiteboard.
• This video reviews how to use the whiteboard during testing.
• Students can learn more about how to use the Whiteboard tool and practice here: https://home.pearsonvue.com/onvue/whiteboard

4) Complete the online system check before scheduling—to make sure their equipment works properly.

• Students should do a system test to make sure their computer, webcam and internet connection meet the requirements for testing online.

5) The content on the O.P. test is the same content they would see when testing in person.

• Test questions, timing and scoring are the same as tests taken in person at authorized test centers.

We recently hosted mini conferences highlighting instructional strategies and resources for educators working with learners in adult education and Corrections.

Here’s a look at each of the conference tracks, related sessions and recent Tuesdays for Teachers webinars with publishing partners:

Tuesdays for Teachers Mini-Conference: The Online Proctored GED® Test

Conference Description: This two-part conference takes “deep dive” into the operational and instructional components that make up the O.P. GED Test as another testing option for adult learners. These sessions also cover student scheduling and the check-in process, as well as instructional strategies and tips to help your adult learners.

Part One link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/3308656298441393411

Part Two link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/9180882920268590850

Corrections Education Mini-Conference

Meeting the Challenges to Finish Strong in Math

Session Description: While public adult education sites have moved to either very limited in person classes or virtual teaching, many of our correctional facilities have moved back into paper and pencil packets with very limited or no in person instruction. There are key skills that an ABE student can master that will enhance their progress. This presentation will focus on key skills students need that can transfer across content areas, and the resources needed to address the skills for in person or remote delivery of instruction.

Webinar link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/7853529393316088592

ND DOCR Transformation in Adult Education & Growth Mindset Beyond a Concept within Corrections

Session Description: This session will share with you the mantra that the ND DOCR Education Department studies and implements to meet each student where they are to get them to the finish line of a graduate. Participants will receive an explanation of the importance of a balanced mindset as well as the impacts the PCBL (Personalized Competency Based Learning) and how it has had a positive result not only in success but also wellness.

Webinar link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/3104498979438800136

Tuesdays for Teachers Sessions with Publisher Partners:

Modeling Hybrid Learning: Core Instruction, Activities and Games for Online Classrooms

Session Description: GED Testing Service and Essential Education share how teachers from programs across the world are using GED Academy™ and the wealth of free resources from Essential Education. The focus on the elements of core instruction, activities and games that directly impact student engagement and performance will provide you new ideas for the classroom.

Webinar link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/5069450503356180226

Practice Makes Perfect (And Could Raise a GED Score by 4 Points!)

Session Description: GED Testing Service and Aztec Software co-developed GED Flash. This supplemental practice tool provides adult education programs and their learners access to thousands of randomized practice questions across the four academic areas assessed on the GED tests as well as immediate student feedback. This session shares strategies and techniques to incorporate GED Flash into the student journey to help achieve greater success.

Webinar link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/6840489956378104590

A full archive of professional development presentations is available on GED.com in our Educators and Administrators section.

Last year we launched a GED.com demo site so educators can more easily view the student account experience.

We’ve recently updated the demo site link and encourage you to set up an account to get a better idea of what your learners see when using their GED.com accounts.

We know many of you have created Gmail accounts just to sign up for GED.com accounts. In addition, most teachers have a GED.com account they use to see the system, receive email alerts, etc. Occasionally the GED.com account experience will change slightly for new test-takers and it impossible to see the new features/look without setting up a new account.

This demo site erases most of these common annoyances. Here’s how you can take advantage of the new GED.com account demo site in two easy steps:

Step 1: Navigate to this website link: https://demo.ged-cloud.com/login

Step 2: Sign-up for a GED.com account—just like you would on GED.com.

A few things to remember:

You can use a real or “fake” email account and password when you sign-up for a demo account.

• Example: You could use “newstudent123@gg.com” or “signmeup@123.com”. As long as the email address follows a standard email address format, they can type anything they want. You can sign up for accounts as many times as you want

• Example: If you have three new classes you can demonstrate the account setup for each one. None of the demo accounts you set up are real
• *You also have the option to log in with any student account you create. It is a good practice to use the same password for all the student accounts you create in the demo environment, so you don’t have to worry about remembering it. *

We hope that you enjoy this new tool and streamlined way for you to demonstrate to your students how to set up a GED.com account.

Research has consistently shown that more education can lead to better physical, mental, and emotional health—resulting in longer, healthier lives.

At GED Testing Service, our mission is to empower individuals and help change the trajectory of their lives by giving them a second chance at a high school credential.

Through our GEDWorks program and partnerships with health insurers, we have seen firsthand how educational success can bring positive outcomes for individuals that even doctors notice. Earning a GED diploma can help a learner secure a better paying job and entry into a college program. It can also alleviate some social and economic stress factors that contribute to health issues.

We created GEDWorks to help companies offer their employees and clients a GED credential at no cost. Participants are given access to a personal advisor, online GED study materials in English and Spanish, connections to local adult education programs, practice tests, and free GED tests.

In a pilot with UCare, a Minnesota-based health insurer, Medicaid participants said they enrolled in the GEDWorks program because through this partnership, it was offered at no cost. Covering the cost of earning a credential often eliminates the financial burden that many students face when choosing between urgent necessities and investing in education. UCare GEDWorks graduates said the program was supportive, engaging and provided them with all they needed for a second chance at a high school diploma.

In a recent article featured in a Minnesota medical journal, UCare Medical Director Dr. Bruce Cantor highlighted the benefits of the GEDWorks program, recommending that primary care doctors encourage their patients to complete their GED credential regardless of age. Earning a credential empowers patients with stronger skills to make decisions that have a positive impact on their health.

The article also shares success stories of graduates of the program, including Lydia, a Medicaid recipient. She earned her credential in 2019 after many years of wanting to do so but not having the financial means. Lydia left high school as she struggled with mental health issues. Through the GEDWorks program, she was able to take practice tests and work closely with a personal advisor. Within just one month, she took the GED tests and passed. Lydia is now a GED graduate and first-year college student in a postsecondary degree program.

Lydia’s story is one we see with many of our students and graduates. To date, GEDWorks partners have helped more than 4,400 adults successfully earn their GED credentials. Thousands more have successfully passed tests on their way to credentialing. We have seen GED graduates pursue college degrees at growing rates, with more than 50% attending college programs. Graduates also go on to enter every career field, further contributing to changing the trajectory of their lives and those around them.

Offering Medicaid recipients, the opportunity to change their long-term health and economic outcomes through education is a worthy investment that helps those that need it most. We are proud of our partnerships with organizations that are invested in their employees’ health and well-being. We hope that more companies make education benefits such as earning a GED credential a priority to support employees, their families, and our communities—one graduate at a time.

More information about the GEDWorks program, including participating employers, is available at GEDWorks.com.

This month we’re offering discounts on GED Ready, GED Live and GED Flash for students.

Starting October 20th and through the end of the month, October 31st, students can start their GED prep or improve their skills for an upcoming test with discounts on popular GED study tools.

Students can take advantage of the following:

• 25% off GED Live online classes with experts from Kaplan
• 30 days extra for free on GED Flash interactive practice questions
• 50% off the GED Ready practice test that indicates how likely students are to pass the GED

Students can learn more about this promotion through their GED.com accounts. The terms and conditions are available here.

Earlier this month we launched the online Spanish GED test and added the option to do online retakes for any GED test subject.

These updates will help eligible students in most states start or complete their GED credential from home.

Spanish Test

Students can schedule any of the GED test subjects in Spanish through their GED.com accounts. To qualify, they must have a GED Ready “Green” score within the last 60 days and reside in a participating state and have access to a quiet, private room, a computer with webcam, sound and microphone, and a reliable internet connection.

The check-in process for the Online Proctored (O.P.) GED test is in English, whether the student is taking the actual test in English or Spanish. This step-by-step Spanish-language video takes students through the check-in process.

Online Retakes

Students can now schedule to retake GED test subjects through the O.P. test after a failed attempt.

After their second failed test attempt, they’ll be required to wait 60 days before scheduling another online proctored retake. A 60-day wait will be required between each subsequent online proctored retake.

A GED Ready “Green” score is only required within 60 days of scheduling their first test in that subject. It is not required for a retake on that subject.

Students can learn more about eligibility and available testing options through their GED.com accounts or here on the GED.com website. Educators can find additional information about the O.P. test here.

Mentoring and Empowering Students through Corrections Education

By: Darrell Miller

As I stood in an ice-cream line with my daughter in the mall in June 2019, I heard a startling “Ay-yo, Miller!” Distracted from my daughter’s thoughts on chocolate ice-cream with rainbow sprinkles, I saw a former student smiling, wide-eyed, and sharply dressed. At no more than 27, he told me where he was working and how good life was going for him. In turn, I expressed how proud I was of him, of the exchange we were having in the mall and was hopeful for more.