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The Community
A Newsletter for GED Testing Professionals and Adult
Educators
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August 2009
Feature Articles
Government Funded Adult
Education Begins With You
Johan Uvin, Rhode Island GED Administrator, recently spoke with
Cassandra Brown at GED Testing Service® about the
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds that Rhode Island is
expected to invest in local adult education programs. Citing strong
partnerships with local workforce investment offices and boards, Uvin
shares how he has been working to earn a piece of the 3 million-dollar
pie for GED preparation and testing.
[CB]: Johan, your state is one of the few so far to secure financial
support for adult education from the ARRA. To what do you attribute this
success?
[JU]: Successful collaboration between our office and the Executives of
the Local Workforce Investment Boards and the State Workforce Investment
Office. We joined the RFP [request for proposal] team and were able to
provide input.
[CB]: Was this the first time you had reached out to these workforce
representatives?
[JU]: No, actually we began this partnership almost two years ago to
establish an effective collaborative effort where the workforce
development system and our office pooled resources to serve more
at-risk, WIA [Workforce Investment Act] eligible youth. This successful
prior collaboration made the ARRA discussion relatively easy.
[CB]: Can you tell us a little more about the successful three-part
model that was agreed upon by your office and the workforce
representatives?
[JU]: For the youth funding we agreed to a model for out-of-school youth
that would combine work exposure, work readiness, and academic
instruction.
[CB]: What are the next steps to put this money to use in your
communities?
[JU]: A RFP was issued for the youth effort. We are working on a RFP for
adults, as well, which will be sent out in summer for sites to submit
their interest in being part of the demonstration projects under the
ARRA funding. I expect multiple GED preparation sites and other adult
education programs to participate in the RFP process, and I am hoping
many will rise to the occasion. The model for adults will be a win-win
for all of our organizations. First we included provisions to connect
older youth and adults with the appropriate training opportunities to
prepare them for employment. Secondly, we emphasized certain sectors
where adults can benefit from career training such as healthcare, IT and
clean energy. Finally, the model addresses businesses to ensure we have
opportunities ready to support the demand for employment. This RFP will
ask for contextualized training and education for very needy
sub-populations. More than $3 million will be made available to provide
integrated adult education and training.
[CB]: What advice would you give to other states hoping to secure
funding from recent legislation?
[JU]: Partnership and collaboration with our state workforce
organizations was a key component in these conversations. This doesn't
just apply to the stimulus funds because we were working on these
programs more than a year before this administration was even elected
into office. In the end, we all were focused on creating the best
possible opportunities for youth and adults and that is what helped us
get to where we are today.
Uvin says that $800,000-$1,000,000 of the ARRA funding will be
invested in out-of-school youth for programs that combine employment,
work readiness training, and adult education/basic skills instruction.
For more information, contact Johan at Johan.Uvin@ride.ri.gov.
Examiner Improves
Financials, Customer Service in Only Two Hours a Week
GED Testing Service staff travel regularly to meet and speak
with professionals in the field. On a recent trip to Atlanta, Georgia,
we met a chief examiner who was changing the way testing centers do
business at Gwinnett Technical College.
When Justine Lynch came to Gwinnett, she says they had problems
serving candidates because of long lines out the door on registration
and testing days. Serving fewer candidates meant less testing fees, but
more devastating was the impact on the candidates who had already faced
enough challenges in their educational careers.
Today, Justine registers and tests up to 36 people per week through
the "Monday Mini-sessions" program (express-style registration
sessions). In addition to the regular registration days, the
mini-sessions help candidates work through the testing day rules, get
comfortable with the testing location and meet their examiner. With 75
percent of those who attend the registration session showing up for
testing the very next day, this was a program we had to learn more
about. See below Cassandra's discussion with Justine.
[CB]: What does a candidate go through in a typical Gwinnett
Technical College "mini-session" for GED testing?
[JL]: They fill out the testing paperwork, watch the math video, pay for
the tests and about 75 percent schedule their test days and times right
at the mini-session. (The other 25 percent do so at regular GED
Registration later in the week). We hand out the GED Testing Bulletin
published by GED Testing Service and explain the very specific rules at
Gwinnett Technical College.
[CB]: What kinds of rules exist at the Gwinnett Technical College
testing center?
[JL]: We support the standard testing center rules and have a $95
testing fee for the full test battery but we also have a few additional
rules and fees. We charge $20 to save a seat at the mini-session, this
money then goes towards the $95 testing fee; there's a $15 no-show fee
for each test session missed; a $100 noise disruption-fee for when cell
phones or pagers go off during the test; and a $150 fee for damaging the
test booklets-things like stray marks or bending the spines.
[CB]: That sounds pretty serious! Do candidates ever have objections
to these rules?
[JL]: Candidates learn our rules and regulations and sign off that they
understand and will abide by these rules. This allows the testing
sessions to run smoothly and without interruptions of any kind.
It’s important to make the testing process customer friendly yet
"by the book," so we also answer any questions candidates have at this
session.
[CB]: (I actually spoke with a student later that day who
confirmed that although Justine's rules are tough, the orderliness in
the room on testing day helped this candidate concentrate and perform at
her best.)
[CB]: So with the rules and video, how long is the mini-session?
[JL]: Each session lasts just 2 hours and are offered in both morning
and evening sessions. Candidates can come into the Adult Ed office at
any time to register ahead of time since they are first-come,
first-served. Testing occurs every Tuesday, and alternating Saturdays,
but this gives candidates the ability to complete the mini-session on
Monday and test the very next day if they choose.
[CB]: Can candidates test without attending a mini-session?
[JL]: No, mini-sessions are mandatory. Students cannot test without
completing the paperwork and watching the video.
[CB]: Are you testing more people because the mini-session helps get
them comfortable with the process before the testing day?
[JL]: Testing numbers have been more consistent since implementing this
program because many candidates will take advantage of the mini-session
to get prepped and test in two days.
[CB]: You mentioned earlier that about 25 percent of candidates will
wait and attend regular GED Registration on Wednesday or Thursday. Is
this impacting the financials of your center to hold an additional
mini-session on Mondays?
[JL]: I don't believe it has hampered our financial situation at
all. Actually, I think it has had the opposite effect. Prior to my
arrival they had all proctors and examiners twice a week "scheduling"
testing. They did all the paperwork and scheduling with a long line
outside (often having students waiting 4-6 hours to get in the door). We
had to pay ALL the staff for two whole days where now I have one person
for just 2 hours. This is much more streamlined and cost
effective.
[CB]: And how do you think this has affected the candidate's
perception of GED testing at your center?
[JL]: I certainly think the mini-sessions have made testing much more
customer-friendly. I have had several students call me after testing to
say they had previously gone to another testing center but they seemed
disorganized and the process was confusing and they called to say how
glad they were they found us. We have had many students comment how easy
things seemed with our process.
[CB]: So what would you say is the biggest return on investment that
you’ve seen from this program?
[JL]: At Gwinnett Technical College we try to make our candidates as
comfortable and prepared for the GED Tests as possible. One of the
ways we have accomplished this is by offering candidates the
"mini-sessions" prior to testing.
Justine Lynch is the Chief GED Examiner at Gwinnett Technical
College in Georgia. You can contact her at jlynch@gwinetttech.edu.
Development of GED Test, 5th Edition
Calculator
The Casio fx-300ES has now been formally designated the
calculator for the GED Test, 5th Edition. Learn more about the GED Test,
5th Edition online at www.GEDtest.org/2012.
5th Edition—Information
Online Now
GED Testing Service has created multiple web pages devoted to
the development of the GED Test, 5th Edition which is scheduled for
release in 2012. Visit the main information page now at www.GEDtest.org/2012.
On the site you will find information and frequently asked questions
tailored specifically for test-takers, administrators in GED testing and
policy makers. In addition, we recently posted information about changes
to the GED Test, 5th Edition including:
- Content standards for each academic content area
- Charts comparing the 2012 Series test framework with those of the
current 2002 Series
The specifications for the GED Test are assessed at regular intervals
to certify that content reflects current curricular and academic
standards for high school graduates across the U.S. and Canada. To view
or download the content standards or framework PDFs, visit the web page
for Administrator FAQs on 2012 and look under the question "What will be
different about the 2012 Series GED Test?"
Closing out the 2002 Series
Notify Test-Takers
Now
Policy statements, testing tickets, transcript reports. These are just a
few of the places where administrators, examiners and testing
professionals are reminding test-takers of the change to come in
2012.
GED Testing Service has posted online all the information regarding
the GED Test, 5th Edition so that examiners and teachers can begin
preparations for the change in curriculum. Just as important is
awareness our test-takers must have regarding the expiration of scores
earned on the 2002 Series GED Tests. GED Testing Service is developing a
marketing campaign for the test transition and will be introducing it in
2010. GED Administrators recently gathered at the 2009 GED
Administrators Conference and developed this draft list of actions that
jurisdictions can take now to start preparing testing centers and
test-takers:
- Post a statement on your web site, registration forms, and other
forms
- Introduce an additional form as part of registration where
test-taker reads and signs statement saying scores earned on 2002 Series
GED Tests cannot be combined with the GED Test, 5th Edition
- Hang posters on the wall regarding the GED Test, 5th Edition
- Contact non-passers and non-completers by email and cell phone
numbers if possible to make contact with these examinees and invite them
back to complete testing
- Inform your public libraries, religious houses, community centers,
community colleges
- Include information about limitation of testing 3 times per
year—especially for the 2011 year
- Encourage and plan more testing dates during the last months of
2011
- Determine cut-off date for new test-takers in 2011 to allow enough
testing center time for re-testers and non-completers
All GED Administrators are preparing for this transition and will
have more information regarding initiatives in your jurisdiction. For
more information, contact your GED Administrator (www.GEDtest.org/administrators)
and continue reading The Community for program-wide
communications and marketing initiatives from GED Testing Service.
Passing the 2002 Math and
Writing Tests
Preparing to close out the 2002 Series GED Tests also means helping
those non-passers and non-completers earn the passing scores needed on
traditionally difficult tests. Test Specialists from GED Testing Service
recently presented information and teaching tips that may help you
prepare test-takers to pass the Mathematics and Language Arts, Writing
Tests.
The presentations are available for download below:
Passing the 2002 GED Mathematics Test (PDF;
198KB)
Passing the 2002 GED Language Arts, Writing Test
(PDF; 687KB)
Examiner's Corner
Welcome Examiners!
In addition to the updates within other sections of the
newsletter, GED Testing Service will offer monthly updates on the
GED Testing Service Policies and Procedures Manual here in the
Examiner's Corner. Check back each month to see the highlighted GED
polices and procedures that receive the most questions or comments.
Additional information concerning this month's and future highlighted
policies can be located in the Policies and Procedures
Manual.
Appointing New
Examiners
GED Chief Examiners must request and receive approval for new GED
Examiners from the GED Administrator using Form L-10 before they are
permitted to administer the GED Tests. GED Administrators review
nominee’s information to determine whether the nominee meets the
criteria and qualifications as specified in the Policies and
Procedures Manual. GED Testing Service reviews all appointments for
GED Chief Examiner and GED Examiners. E-mail notification of acceptance
is sent to the GED Chief Examiner or Examiner and to the GED
Administrator (GED Testing Service Policies and Procedures
Manual, page 15).
Marketing the GED Testing
Program
New Fact Sheet
Distributed at the recent 2009 COABE Conference in Louisville,
Kentucky, adult educators and administrators alike found this piece
valuable for its concise and clear description of the testing program.
The GED Testing Program Fact Sheet includes the history of the GED
Testing Program, facts about delivery and scoring of the tests, and a
statistical recap from the most recent annual report. GED Testing
Service has made the one-page, full color sheet available for order in
packs of 50 at the GED
Testing Service Publications web page. A free electronic version of
the fact sheet can be found on the GED Testing Service homepage.
Signs for Official GED Testing
Centers
GED Testing Service recently introduced a common template for Official
GED Testing Centers to use and display prominently. This common sign
template will help test-takers find and verify that your location is, in
fact, an Official GED Testing Center.
Access this template by filling out the form online here: www.acenet.edu/programs/gedts/logo.
Templates are available in both Word and PDF format. The Word format is
standard letter-size (8.5" x 11") and allows users to edit a text box
area in the middle of the sign. The PDF format is for use with
professional designers/printers and can be edited by the professional to
include local testing center information. It is sized at 2 feet by 3
feet for larger sign prints.
GED Testing Service recommends that all testing centers begin using
these signs to promote a common look and feel for the testing program,
and to support our efforts against the proliferation of fraudulent
testing programs. Please note that only staff of Official GED Testing
Centers are allowed to access and use the signs.
GEDTS Style Guide and the
Big Three
Many of you have already downloaded the full GED Testing Service Style
Guide & Graphic Standards document or one of the usage examples. If
not, we encourage you to visit GEDtest.org/style and review the
terminology, graphic standards and trademark usage guidelines. These
apply to all print and electronic materials created and distributed by
members of the GED testing community.
GED Testing Service is asking all members of the testing community to
pay special attention to their use of three style and trademark items
being dubbed as the "Big Three:"
- GED logo
- Registration mark
- Disclaimer statement
One-page usage examples are available at www.GEDtest.org/style
for letters, emails, newsletters and web pages for easy reference guides
on these and all the style items.
The Style Guide is a living document with updates made regularly so
it is important to check the site every three months to ensure you have
the latest information. If you have any questions about the Style Guide
or how to implement it in your office, please email GED@ace.nche.edu.
Instructional Math
Videos on DVD
The instructional videos for the GED Mathematics Test are now available
on DVD and can be played in a computer's CD ROM drive or a standard DVD
(movie) player. The one DVD includes both Calculator Operations and
Alternate Format Gridding videos in English, Spanish, and Closed
Captioning. The DVD makes available videos that were previously accessed
only from the GED Testing Service web site as Windows Media (wmv) files.
This allows sites to play the video for candidates using standard TV and
Video/DVD players available in most classrooms.
They are being sold through an order form on the GED Testing
Service Publications page and online at the ACE
Bookstore for $12.00 including shipping and handling.
Social Media
Trifecta
Facebook has been part of the GED Testing Service communications
strategy for just six months and it already has touched the lives of
more than 530 people. Answering questions about testing requirements and
minimum scores has become a regular activity for the staff in D.C. The
members are returning the favor by posting notes about passing the GED
Tests and their plans for attending college.
The presence of GED Testing Service in social media continues to grow
this summer with the introduction of a YouTube Channel (www.GEDtest.org/youtube) and a MySpace Group (www.GEDtest.org/myspace). The YouTube channel allows
GED Testing Service to post and link to videos giving correct
information about the GED Test and videos that show the successes of GED
test-takers. The MySpace Group functions the same as our Facebook Group,
but allows us to reach a greater majority of our potential test-takers.
Through MySpace, users can ask questions of GED Testing Service and
receive answers or links to other helpful resources.
GED Testing Service is currently developing YouTube, Facebook, and
MySpace brief user guides so that administrators and GED testing
professionals who aren’t familiar with any of these sites can take
part in this communications initiative. Look for more information in
upcoming newsletters or email GED@ace.nche.edu with any immediate
questions about the social media work at GED Testing Service.
Congratulations from President
Obama
The 44th President of the United States recently penned a letter of
congratulations for our GED credential recipients. Each U.S. President
has offered a congratulatory letter since President Reagan and GED
Testing Service is pleased to offer you the opportunity to include this
note of recognition in packets to your 2009 graduates. GEDTS will be
printing copies of the 2009 letter and making them available for order
in boxes of 50. You can pre-order them online or by calling the GED
Fulfillment Service. Learn more from the GED
Testing Service Publications web page.
GED Research
Research Studies on
GEDtest.org
GED Testing Service research studies are now available for
download from both the GEDTS website and GED AccessPoint. The 2008
research studies focus on the outcomes of GED credential recipients and
the most recent study, Young GED Examinees and Their Performance on the
GED Tests, is also available online in its full-length version and an
executive summary version. The studies compare differences in outcomes
for the three groups in terms of economic and non-economic impacts,
health literacy, and literacy skills of adults with disabilities. Feel
free to download the PDF copies of the studies and executive summaries
and forward them to your colleagues.
ASR Archives on GEDtest.org
Access 50 years of GED testing program reports on www.GEDtest.org.
Under "Publications & Research" you can click on Publications, then
Archived Annual Statistical Reports. Each report is available for
download in PDF and low-resolution versions are also available for
certain reports that are large files.
Understanding GED Test Scores
Official GED Practice Tests and "True" Score Predictions
Many jurisdictions use the Official GED Practice Tests
(published by Steck-Vaughn) for instruction and some even require a GED
candidate to pass the practice tests before taking the operational GED
Tests. GED Testing Service has fielded questions such as "What score
does a candidate need to earn in order to demonstrate he/she is likely
ready to take the operational GED Tests?" or "What minimum score(s) on
the Official GED Practice Tests should my jurisdiction set in order for
a candidate to be eligible to take the operational GED Tests?" A short
lesson in psychometrics can go a long way in answering those
questions.
The standard error of measurement (SEM) is often used to describe how
far an examinee's observed test score may be, on average, from his or
her "true" score (i.e., a score that is free from measurement error).
The SEM can be used to form a confidence interval around an observed
test score to suggest a score interval within which an examinee's true
score may fall. Because the SEM is the standard deviation of a
hypothetical, normal distribution of measurement errors, in most cases,
it is expected that an examinee's observed score will be found within
one SEM unit of his or her true score about 68 percent of the time. For
example, if an examinee's true score on Science PD (SEM=1.99) is 430 (16
correct on the 25-item test Form PD) then it can be estimated that 68
percent of the time his or her observed score on Science PD would be
between 400 and 470 (which corresponds to 14 and 18 correct on Science
PD). The math is: 16 -/+ 1.99 = 14 and 18; convert from those numbers of
correct scores to the standard score scale, and you have 400 and
470.
The Official GED Practice Tests Administrator's Manual provides
valuable information on how the Official GED Practice Test scores and
the full-length GED Tests scores are linked as well as the SEMs and
raw-to-standard score conversion charts (see section IV-1 and Appendix
C). Here are a few extracts:
"All GED Tests and the Official GED Practice Tests are produced with
the same content specifications, and all questions are matched as
closely as possible on psychometrics characteristics. This process
ensures that the various test forms are very similar to one another. All
new forms of the GED Tests are equated to the GED anchor form using the
equipercentile method. This method is used to produce a relationship of
equivalence between raw scores on two tests. This procedure ensures that
the Official GED Practice Tests are valid for predicting future
performance on the GED Tests. [italics added]"
"Even with a reliable test, there is always a slight deviation in
predicting one test score based on another test score. As a result,
there will usually be some difference between a candidate's Practice
Test scores and his/her scores on the full-length GED Tests. However,
most candidates who take the Practice Tests want to know what score they
are likely to earn on the GED Tests.
"The Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) is a numerical way of
expressing how much a candidate's score can be expected to vary between
the Official GED Practice Tests and the full-length GED Tests. The SEM
for the Official GED Practice Tests is provided in Appendix C. The SEM
for two out of three examinees will be within (above or below) one SEM
unit of his/her true score. For nearly all candidates, the test scores
will be within two SEMs [italics added].
"Although the SEM may vary according to subject area test and test
form, scores on the Official GED Practice Tests are generally within 50
standard score points on the GED Tests in any subject area [italics
added]. All candidates should be advised that their Practice Test scores
are estimates and not an exact reflection if their final scores in the
full-length GED Tests."
To order the full Administrator's Manual from Steck-Vaughn,
visit their Adult Education Catalog online or email help@GEDtestingservice.com
with other questions regarding the Official GED Practice Test and its
role in predicting scores.
GED Testing Service
Psychometrician Takes on eHow.com Article: "How to Convert a GED Score
to a GPA"
By J. Carl Setzer
In this short article, the author submits there are three methods
for converting a GED test score into a grade point average (GPA). In
fact, the GED Testing Service does not endorse any conversion between
GED test scores and GPA. Moreover, each of the methods submitted by the
author is fundamentally misguided.
Unfortunately, the author has misled readers and contributed to
misinformation surrounding the interpretation of GED test scores. The
claims made by the author are entirely inaccurate for one simple reason:
the GED test scores and percentile ranks are in reference to a
population of graduating high school seniors. In other words,
the author has completely misinterpreted the meaning of a GED test
score.
The GED Testing Service has set the score range from 200 to 800 with
an average of 500 for each test in the battery released in 2002. GED
Testing Service has also set the minimum passing standard score at 410
for each test with a minimum average score of 450 across all tests. The
standard scores (ranging from 200 to 800) can be converted to percentile
ranks to help the candidate understand where he or she falls in relation
to a larger population.
For example, a standard score of 410 on any of the five content area
tests corresponds to something called the 40th percentile. The 40th
percentile of what? To answer this question, the reader should
understand that GED Testing Service sets the passing score based on a
nationally representative sample of graduating high school
seniors. In other words, only high school seniors who were expected to
graduate in the spring of a given year were included in the study used
to set the percentile rankings. As such, one should interpret the
percentile ranks with respect to this population. For example, if a GED
candidate receives a test score that corresponds with the 40th
percentile then that candidate scored better than 40 percent of a
nationally representative sample of graduating high school seniors.
Thus, to make the claim that a 40th percentile relates to a GPA
equivalent of an F is entirely false. Not many graduating high
school seniors would have a GPA equivalent to an F letter grade! Because
each of the three methods submitted by the article’s author use
essentially the same information, all of them are fundamentally
incorrect. Again, GED Testing Service makes no claims regarding
equivalence between high school GPA and GED test scores.
Attempting to convert GED test scores to GPA scores is like trying to
compare apples to oranges. GED test scores are calculated the same way
for each examinee. On the other hand, a high school GPA is the average
grade for a student. Since grades can be calculated in many different
ways depending on the school or school district, it is not appropriate
to compare GED test scores to GPA. These scores are derived using
completely different methods and are thus not comparable constructs.
Readers should also note that because GED Testing Service does not
endorse conversions of GED test scores to grade point averages, they
should not expect any college or university admission committee to do
so. GED Testing Service does, however, publish information on how GED
test scores equate to class rank, which should be helpful to students as
well as university admissions offices.
For readers with interest in understanding the proper way to
interpret GED test scores, please refer to www.GEDtest.org and follow the link
for Test-Takers.
Access the original article on eHow.com here: (http://www.ehow.com/how_4804642_convert-ged-score-gpa.html)
Local News
Local Headlines in Right Column
Every month, we will include a sampling of the news
stories across the GED testing program in the right column of this
newsletter. All subscribers of The Community are welcome to
submit links to news stories in your local neighborhoods for inclusion
in our Local Headlines.
To submit stories, send the link and any associated pictures to help@GEDtestingservice.com.
Short Links
Use Them, Share Them, Love Them
Local Headlines
Georgia
GED graduate awarded college scholarship
New York
Program helps young people prepare for GED Test, earn
scholarships
West Virginia
More students obtain GED credential; GED Teacher
honored
Georgia
Students honored at GED graduation, "…feel I can
do anything"
Colorado
GED graduate, migrant worker continues education to
earn associate degree
New Jersey
Mom of 4 finds GED credential worth the hard
work
Missouri
GED graduates look to the future
Mississippi
Grads urged to view GED credential as 'stepping
stone'
Virginia
Couple makes kids proud with diplomas
Mississippi
Student's attitude helps him win tough battles
West Virginia
Warning against fraudulent testing programs
Colorado
Pain kept teen from high school, but not high
goals
Georgia
After wrong turns, graduates hope GED [credential] spurs
right moves
Massachusetts
Framingham GED graduates 'open a door'
Alaska
College sees record number of GED graduates
Please direct questions about this page to:
help@GEDtestingservice.com
This page last updated on 08/11/2009
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