Each year GED Testing Service recognizes several recent GED graduates for outstanding achievement with the GED Graduate of the Year award.

This year’s winners are from Illinois, Ohio and Michigan—each with a story of perseverance and determination as they conquered the GED testing journey.

Winners of the GED Graduate of the Year award received a $1000 postsecondary scholarship, an all-expense paid trip to the GED Testing Service Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois and participated in a professional photoshoot.

Here’s a look at each of their stories:

Reginald “Reggie” Latten, 2019 GED Graduate of the Year

Reginald “Reggie” Latten of Cleveland, Ohio, is a GED graduate from Seeds of Literacy.

After taking several practice tests for mathematics and falling short of expectations, Latten committed himself to working with tutors at Seeds of Literacy and utilizing Khan Academy while at home and in-between class sessions. From December 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019, Latten logged 169 total hours on the Khan Academy site.

Transportation was often a challenge for Latten during his GED process, he would travel for 90 minutes to attend his morning classes and often stayed through the afternoon sessions. Latten also began using the Khan Academy site for lessons on coding and writing computer applications. Within a month of receiving his GED credential, Latten said he wanted to “embrace his future now” and enrolled in Bryant & Stratton College.

“Reggie, like many of our students, values himself as an individual, and is aware that he is connected to things much bigger and more transcendent than that,” said Scott Sanborn, Digital Literacy Coordinator for Seeds of Literacy. “He wants to give back (and has already) to others who are like him, who come to our program broken or defeated, and who lack that dignity to find self-worth.”

Jennifer Nemchek, 2019 GED Graduate of the Year

Jennifer Nemchek of Michigan is a GED graduate from the Family Literacy Center.

Nemchek started working on her GED credential in August 2015 at the Family Literacy Center. For nearly four years, Nemchek worked with a tutor and diligently attended classes while preparing for each test subject.

Nemchek also dedicated her time to helping fellow classmates during their GED journeys. While taking classes she took on the role of Community Service Coordinator and started motivation and mindfulness classes to encourage other students. Nemchek plans to become a clinical psychologist. She has enrolled at a local community college and will start classes this fall.

“Jennifer was always willing to talk to a student that might be faltering in their studies or belief in their ability to get their GED,” said Meredith Donahue, Adult Program Administrator at the Family Literacy Center. “She knows what she wants to do and what she needs to do to accomplish it. Jennifer has changed her mindset and sees setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities to learn.”

Mackinzie Rickabaugh, 2019 GED Graduate of the Year

Mackinzie Rickabaugh of Wisconsin is a GED graduate from Lakeshore Technical College.

Rickabaugh enrolled in a pre-college math class at Lakeshore Technical College in fall 2017. She attended the class to prepare for the GED math exam and used it as a prerequisite to her pre-algebra college course. While in Lakeshore Technical College’s Adult Basic Education program, Rickabaugh completed a computer basics class and started coursework for an administrative professional associate degree. While earning her GED credential, Rickabaugh often worked over 40 hours a week while acting as the primary caretaker for her younger sister.

Since earning her GED credential, Rickabaugh has completed 25 credits and is on track to graduate from Lakeshore Technical College in May 2020. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology or complete an associate degree in culinary arts.

“Mackinzie is already demonstrating that she can be successful in post-secondary pursuits,” said Mary Kultgen, high school equivalency instructor at Lakeshore Technical College. “She is currently taking nine credits this summer and is already registered for 16 credits in the fall. She continues to balance taking care of her sister, working, and attending school. She is a very hard working individual.”

Lillian Rivera, 2019 GED Graduate of the Year

Lillian Rivera of Chicago is a GED graduate from Wilbur Wright Community College’s Adult Education Program.

Rivera started taking GED classes earlier this year through Wilbur Wright Community College’s Adult Education Program. She was the first in her class to earn her GED credential, passing all her subjects within just a few months. Rivera decided to still attend math classes to further develop her skills in preparation for college.

Through the GED Bridge Program, Rivera took a college-level medical course while studying for the GED test subjects. She received an A in the class and is already enrolled in other college courses at the school. Rivera will soon begin classes in the Medical Assistant program at Malcolm X Community College. Rivera is described as highly motivated and a true inspiration to her fellow classmates and instructors.

“Ms. Rivera always goes out of her way to help other students when they are struggling and is extremely patient,” said Rachel Michaels, an Adult Educator at Wilbur Wright College. “Although she comes from a difficult background she completed her GED in a few months at 42 years old and the younger students look up to her for her patience and knowledge.”

Kyle Reckart, 2019 GEDWorks Graduate of the Year (not pictured)

Kyle Reckart of Ohio is a GEDWorks graduate from Taco Bell.

Reckart started working at Taco Bell when he was 16 years old. His mother was also working at Taco Bell and previously completed her GED credential through the GEDWorks program.

Reckart enrolled in the GEDWorks program and passed all of his test subjects within a month. He has since become an ambassador for the program talking to other Taco Bell team members about his story and how easy the program is to enroll in and how much is appreciative for it. Reckart started training for a management position shortly after getting his GED credential. He was certified recently as a shift manager and placed into a restaurant where he is already an influence on others.

“Kyle gave us his career plan when he enrolled in the GED program,” said Jennifer Rhoads, Area Coach for Taco Bell of Ohio. “We told him we wanted him to go for this even if he wasn’t choosing to stay with us but he said he was determined to be a shift lead for us by the time he was 18. He then explained how his five-year goal was to move to an assistant and have his own store one day. Kyle is a very mature 18-year-old and is such a great example for the youth in our restaurant. I’m excited to watch him grow and show us all the potential he has.”

It’s that time again! We’re embracing back-to-school season with a promo to give students the boost they need to meet their GED test goals! Starting August 19, 2019, when students purchase a GED Flash™ subject they can get a corresponding GED Ready® subject at 50% off. This applies to all GED test subject areas.

For example: When a student buys GED Flash for Math through GED.com, they can purchase GED Ready for Math at $3 when they go to their shopping cart.

This limited-time promotion ends August 30, 2019 at 11:59 pm CDT.

During the 2019 GED Testing Service Annual Conference in Chicago, IL, you asked some great questions about the Paxen Focus Spanish GED® courses.

As a result, Paxen Publishing has put together a FAQs page. Answers to each question can be found below and on the Paxen Publishing website here.

Paxen Focus in Spanish is a powerful online learning platform that provides real-time analytical reporting so instructors can hone in on individual learner needs, enabling them to spend less time grading and have more quality instructional time with learners. Formative assessments create individualized learning paths for students, so adult learners can feel confident that they are focusing their time and effort on the skills they need to master.

Paxen Focus GED courses are 100% content aligned with the GED test subjects and can be used as stand-alone digital test preparation or in combination with Paxen’s Steck-Vaughn Test Preparation for the GED Test print series.

How are Paxen Focus Spanish GED® courses sold?

Paxen Focus is sold as an annual subscription in sets of 10-seat transferrable licenses. An annual subscription to our Spanish GED courses includes access to all four GED subject-areas. The base price is $699.50 for a 10-seat bundle, but discounts are available for larger purchases. Please contact your Paxen account executive or customerservice@paxenpublishing.com and indicate the state in which you are located to receive a customized quote.

How do I request a demo of Paxen Focus Spanish GED® courses?

Please contact your Paxen account executive or customerservice@paxenpublishing.com and indicate the state in which you are located to request a demo.

We have some turn-over of students. Can we un-enroll a student and reuse that license for another student?

Yes. Paxen Focus seats are transferrable, which means that you can re-assign a seat to another student if a student stops attending class.

Does the system provide a report that indicates student time-on-task?

Yes. Teachers and administrators can run student reports that indicate students’ time-on-task.

Does the system have a time-out function if a student is inactive for too long? If so, what is the setting for the inactive time?

Yes. By default, the system is set to time-out students after 15 minutes of inactivity. That time period can be customized by the administrator.

What teacher training is available for programs who purchase Paxen Focus Spanish GED® courses? Is the training free or is there an additional charge?

We provide quick-start guides and access to recorded tutorials and webinars. We also offer customers one free live-webinar training during implementation. Additional live-webinars and on-site trainings are available at an additional charge.

I have students who need practice in all four subjects and others who need only one or two subjects. Will students see courses for all four subjects or can I assign only what they need?

While programs have access to all four subject-areas with a subscription, they can assign individual courses to match student needs.

Is it possible to add some Pre-GED material to our classes?

Yes. We offer Pre GED (6.0 to 8.9 grade level) courses and Fundamental Skills (0.0 to 5.9 grade level) courses in both English and Spanish. Programs can purchase subscriptions to additional levels or a multi-level subscription.

Can we mix and match English and Spanish course subscriptions in the 10-seat purchase?

No. The English bundles and Spanish bundles are sold separately. You would need to purchase separate subscriptions for the English bundle of GED courses if you want both language options.

How does the material in the Paxen Focus Spanish GED® courses relate to the material in the print books?

The content in the Paxen Focus Spanish GED courses mirrors the content in the Spanish versions of the Steck-Vaughn Test Preparation for the GED Test student editions and workbooks. This allows teachers to switch seamlessly between print and digital.

We’ve made some recent updates to enhance the user experience in Student and GED Manager™ accounts.

Here is a rundown of the most important changes:

1. Edit profile update: This makes it easier for Students to see what information they entered into their account (all at once) and they can easily update most of this information when needed.
2. Guided Path feature: Part of new experience that clearly outlines Student’s next steps in their preparation and testing journey.
3. My Scores update: Easier to view all operational or GED Ready® scores separately and FAQ section has been added.
4. Voucher search field: NEW! *Only some GED Manager users will have access to this feature* This feature allows users to check usage of GED Ready vouchers.

More details about what’s new and improved for Students, Educators and Administrators is covered in this recent recording: https://recordings.join.me/Ti7QsESat02ojt9eBzdvZw

If you have additional questions please contact help@ged.com

The countdown to the 2019 GED Testing Service Annual Conference has started! This year we’re hosting our three-day event at the Swissotel in Downtown Chicago, July 24th through 26th.

During the conference we’re offering opportunities to network with fellow educators, administrators and the GED Testing Service team. We will also provide the latest professional development workshops and information sessions related to the GED test program.

Keynote Speaker

This year author, inspirational speaker and human resources executive Steve Pemberton will keynote our conference. Pemberton is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer for Workhuman, a multinational human resources software company. His rise to professional success comes after spending much of his childhood as a ward of the state. Pemberton’s strong determination to rise above his circumstances and exceptional academic achievement earned him a full scholarship to Boston College. He would later work for his alma mater before taking Chief Diversity Officer positions at Monster.com and Walgreens. His inspiring life story is detailed in his best-selling memoir, “A Chance in the World.”

Professional Development Sessions

The annual conference is an opportunity for us to share insight on the best ways to prepare your students for the GED test subjects from who better but the creators of the test!

Our workshops and sessions will cover tips and strategies for teaching GED students, share some of the latest postsecondary outcomes data and student research and offer chances for you to ask the GED team your burning questions about the test.

The very popular Corrections track will also return this year with sessions designed to cater to the unique instructional needs of educators in the Corrections environment.

Here’s a sample of just some of the 25 plus sessions we’re offering:

• GED Outcomes and Data
• Accommodations Update
• Getting Students College and Career Ready in RLA
• From Integers to Factoring – Using Algebra Tiles in the Classroom Surrounded by Science
• Putting Technology to Work in the Classroom
• Moving Students from the Red Zone – Math
• What a Difference an Electronic Scoring Tool Can Make!
• Ask GED

GED Graduate of the Year Awards

Each year GED Testing Service recognizes several recent GED graduates for outstanding achievement with the GED Graduate of the Year award. During the awards luncheon the inspirational graduates share stories about their GED testing journey including the importance of their support system and the lasting impact the credential has as they pursue their personal and professional goals. We look forward to announcing and celebrating the achievements of this year’s winners at the conference!

These are just some of the highlights of what’s to come during the conference! We also encourage you to take time to check out the many attractions, festivals and events the Windy City has to offer.

If you haven’t registered there’s still time to join us! Sign up today and we’ll see you in Chicago!

The GEDWorks program is growing and so is the number of graduates earning their credential with the help of their employer.

To date almost 4,000 GED graduates have benefitted from the support of the GEDWorks program. This aligns with the increasing number of employers that are signing up to give their workers access to a no-cost GED credential.

Epi Breads and Bell’s Brewery are the latest two employers to partner with GED Testing Service. Epi Breads is a large scale bakery with locations in Georgia, Texas and Michigan. Bell’s Brewery is a regional craft brewery that employs more than 550 people over a 39 state area.

Over 20 national employers are now offering the GEDWorks program. These companies represent various industries including food service, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, media and transportation. Some of these employers include:

Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Jiffy Lube, Scholastic, Penguin Random House, Sheetz, The Cheesecake Factory, Total Wine and More, Royal Cup, The Texas Department of Transportation, Brinker International (Maggiano’s Little Italy & Chili’s Bar and Grill), Benchmark Electronics, Southeastern Grocers (BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harvey’s and Winn-Dixie), Red Roof Inn and Walmart.

Pearson and the American Council on Education (parent companies of GED Testing Service) have also started offering the GEDWorks benefit to employees and eligible family members.

As more companies join the GEDWorks family, we encourage you to tell your students about these employers and how they can enroll in the GEDWorks program.

The full list of participating employers and more information about the program is available here.

In our recent Tuesdays for Teachers webinar we shared tips and strategies to help GED students stay focused and push through the distractions of the end of the school year.

This webinar highlights information we have presented over the last few months related to the GED test subjects and research we’ve done to learn more about the student journey and postsecondary outcomes. We do recognize that some programs run throughout the summer and these tips are just as useful for instructors working with GED students that are continuing or starting their testing journey.

Student data and research outcomes

Each year we share data related to the number of students that have earned a GED credential. From July 1, 2018 to May 20, 2019, there were 163,013 completers and 127, 200 passers to make up the 78% national pass rate. This pass rate is higher than the rates seen prior to the 2014 test update.

Here’s a summary of national test taker data found via the GED Analytics data tool:

Earlier this year we launched a video project that showcases the GED student journey through the eyes of students in various stages of the process.

Through these personal video diaries, we are able to show the ups and downs of the GED preparation and testing process. Each student has offered to give us a glimpse into their intimate thoughts and day-to-day activities as they pursue their credential.

The student diary project features students attending the Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School in Washington, DC, Open Door Learning Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School in Washington, DC.

Our participants reflect the different backgrounds and stories that make up the GED student community. In particular we highlight the journey of parents, immigrants and DC natives in this phase of the project. We’re in Week 9 and we’ve just celebrated Cat, one of our DC natives, passing the GED test and we anticipate that our other participants will get the scores they need to pass their final subjects.

Here’s a look at the moment Cat found out she’s a new GED graduate.

This collaboration with adult education programs has given us the opportunity to highlight the impact educators and classroom instruction have in the GED preparation process. Students involved in the project are actively attending classes and working closely with their instructors.

It is our hope that current and potential GED students are able to connect with each of the project participants and feel inspired to push through obstacles they may be facing in their own journey. We will continue to share the videos on our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts and we encourage you to share these videos with your own students as a source of inspiration and conversation.

**Students participating in the project received sponsorship through the GED testing process including access to GED Ready practice tests, operational GED tests and the GED Flash for Individuals study tool. The instructors of participating students received trial access to the GED Flash for Organizations product for their classroom.

We’re encouraging grads, educators, family, friends and GED hopefuls to join us for our annual #GEDGradDay online celebration!

L. Alisyn Crawford shares how she went from a high school dropout to earning a GED credential and law degree.

We are enhancing the checkout experience for the GED Ready, GED Flash and GED Live study products.

This update will include a few new checkout features and will support the following enhancements:

(see the screenshots below)

We have partnered with Paxen Publishing to promote a digital study tool for students preparing for the Spanish GED test.