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December 2009

Feature Articles

Meet the Woman Who Puts "ED" in GEDTS
Nicole Chestang joined GED Testing Service_® as its executive director (that's the "ED" we were referring to) on November 2nd. Since that first day she has been busy meeting with representatives both inside and outside the office to learn as much as possible in order to help prepare the organization and the testing program at large for the future. She did, however, take a break for a candid discussion with Wyoming GED Administrator, Carolyn Chelsvig. We would like to thank Carolyn for running this informal interview and for providing the write up below to help all administrators get to know the new "ED".

By Carolyn Chelsvig

Who is Nicole Chestang? I had the opportunity to talk openly with Nicole Chestang, the new GED Testing Service® Executive Director on, of all days, Friday, November 13, 2009. I found her to be positive and extremely excited about the position she has stepped into. While she had only been on the job for approximately two weeks, she had already been given the assignment of attending a GED graduation, participating in an adult education conference, and visiting personally with state GED Administrators; no time to "get her feet wet" here.

Nicole stated her main reason for applying and accepting this position was due to "the passion for the importance of education from the American Council on Education_® and GED Testing Service." The GED credential "also allows students a second opportunity to obtain a high school diploma" while "spring boarding them into postsecondary education or a career path." With the GED 20/20 Initiative being planned, Nicole related that "a whole new network of support systems for lifelong learning" will be integrated into the lives of students that has a solid foundation in partnerships "which will provide a step forward" for each student.

There was an inherent upbeat tone in her voice when she described what she hopes to accomplish in her new role as Executive Director, that being to "help us successfully complete the three goals: increasing access to the GED exams, increasing the number of graduates, and increasing the chances of passing the exams." Her focus on making this happen begins with "collaborative partnerships between the state GED Administrators and identifying various partners to work side by side with." She states that among the most exciting aspects of the GED Testing Service mission are the "collaboration of partnerships." This will not only add to the achievement of the goals, but it is "more important now with the rigorous standards being developed that we work together to be on the forefront to give them [students] the tools to be successful." Nicole went on to further state, "we need to set high expectations and assist with meeting these expectation; we can't afford to lose a single person."

We moved to the topic of working with "thousands of passionate" professionals, which immediately triggered a smile and an intensity in Nicole's voice. Nicole quickly stated that "we have a lot of room to improve and this requires work with the field to gain skills." She continued "that as GED Testing Service contemplates computer-based delivery, our partners, including administrators, will take on more active roles with marketing, helping GED candidates transition through road blocks, and offering solutions and support to Adult Basic Education and Workforce providers as they put plans into place to assist adult learners." She eloquently added that "State Administrators are needed to help move the messages of GEDTS forward, as they are the eyes and ears in the states and with the field."

The time I spent with Nicole only confirmed that all the staff who work with GED Testing Service have a dedication to the student and this is truly evident in glow of the words as each and everyone speaks about the GED credential and the lasting effects it has on students' lives. Nicole mentioned she was warmly welcomed, "with a large spread of food and a great gathering of people" when she arrived, which always helps.

Examiner's Corner

Receiving & Storing Secure Materials
Chief Examiners must create and implement a written receiving plan for secure testing materials and train all official GED testing center staff members to follow the plan. The plan must include how to receive and store secure materials if the GED Chief Examiner or GED Examiner is not present when materials arrive. For more information refer to GED Polices and Procedures Manual section 1.8-2. 

All 2009 GED testing materials are due by January 30, 2010.  For more information refer to GED Polices and Procedures Manual section 3.3-1 and the memos you received with your 2010 testing materials.
 

Scoring Policies

Policy Renewed on Expiration of Partial Scores
In response to inquires on the "shelf life" of partial scores given the extended operation of the 2002 series, GED Testing Service is renewing its 2002 series policy on the expiration of partial scores. Partial scores occur when a candidate earns scores on individual content area tests that meet the minimum score requirement but the candidate has not completed and/or passed the battery of GED Tests.

The policy on partial scores was stated under the section "Policies for Re-testing" on page 12-11 of the 2002 GED Examiner's Manual; this manual was replaced by the GED Testing Service Policies and Procedures Manual in 2008. The policy stated:

"Specific provisions (i.e., length of time between testing events; how long partial scores are maintained [italics added]) for re-testing are established by the jurisdiction but are not limited to, the minimum length of time that shall elapse between testing and the type of additional study (if any) required before re-testing."

No changes to this policy will occur within the duration of the 2002 Series GED Tests. Jurisdictions are, as the policy states, allowed to set expirations dates after proper notification to GED Testing Service. The staff is available to have conversations related to your consideration of possibly changing your jurisdictional score expiration policy.

No Change to Policy That Scores Across Test Series May Not Be Combined
GED Testing Service will continue the policy that scores across test series may not be combined when the tests associated with the GED initiative are released. A GED candidate who began testing on the 2002 Series GED Tests must successfully complete the entire battery of the 2002 Series GED Tests before the release of the next test series. Any partial scores will be invalidated upon the release of the next test series. GED Testing Service anticipates announcing the release date of the next test no less than two years in advance. The policy associated with combining scores across test series will be reissued with regard to the GED initiative.

History
The policy stating that scores on the 2002 Series GED Tests may not be combined with scores from previous series was established in Policy Memorandum #43 to GED Administrators on August 10, 1998 and was stated in the GED Administrator's Manual (2003), section 5.2 "Combination of Scores on GED Tests" (this manual was replaced by the GED Testing Service Policies and Procedures Manual in 2008):

"All GED candidates who begin testing on the 2002 Series GED Tests must successfully complete the entire battery of the 2002 Series GED Tests. Individual passing test scores earned on GED Tests from earlier series—the 1942 series, 1978 series, or 1988 series—are not compatible with scores from the 2002 Series GED Tests. The GED Testing Service has directed GED Administrators to remove from live data storage all partial test score records established before the 2002 Series GED Tests were released in their jurisdictions."

Rationale
There are two main reasons for not allowing test scores across test series to be combined: (1) changes in test content between test series and (2) changes in minimum performance and/or passing score(s) between test series.

The tests associated with the GED 20/20 Initiative will have updated test content specifications based on the work of committees comprised of educational specialists that identified what content is taught in high schools today and aligned the test content with the emerging Common Core national content standards introduced by the National Governor's Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Any credential awarded upon release of the new test should reflect demonstration of performance in these most recently established high school curriculum areas.

The tests associated with the GED 20/20 Initiative will also have updated minimum performance and/or passing score(s) requirements. These passing score requirements have not yet been established. Any credential awarded upon release of the new test should reflect achieving a score(s) at the most recently established required performance level.

Computer-Based Testing

Update on CBT Pilot (CBT) with partner, Pearson Vue
As mentioned during the VTH, and more detailed information forthcoming in the VTH notes, the CBT pilot is currently in the planning process. Specifically, much time has been given to determine the equivalency study design, as this is the primary goal for Phase 1 of the CBT Pilot. This phase will determine equivalency of PBT and CBT scores, highlight logistical issues, and help determine if CBT should be explored further for GED testing.

Participating jurisdictions will be on board soon after the first of the year, with initial contacts occurring now. Selection of jurisdictions will be guided primarily by the needs of the equivalency study (i.e. population size near CBT location, OPT or non OPT requirement). Tentative plans call for the Usability Study—being conducted in Minnesota—to begin in mid January and continue until the final report is available in late February. The CBT equivalency study pilots are tentatively expected to roll out in the Spring.

More information, including a CBT Pilot backgrounder, will be available to the field in early February.

New Data Available

Research Unit Crosses State Lines
At the end of October the research unit concluded a pilot with administrators on accessing test history of candidates who previously tested in another jurisdiction. GED Testing Service has heard for some time that it is often challenging for examiners to get the candidate's data from another jurisdiction, because it is either time-consuming to process the paperwork or the previous jurisdiction is very slow in responding. The new Online Query System of the International Database allows the research unit to look up the test history of GED test-takers in all jurisdictions since 2002.

A second pilot with examiners from 15 randomly selected states and 2 provinces is taking place from November 23 to December 18, 2009. The new pilot includes nearly 500 testing centers. GED Administrators and chief examiners from the selected states and provinces have received an e-mail with details on how to participate. Once the examiners' pilot is concluded, GED Testing Service will review the results and determine next steps.

Demographic Form of Tomorrow Being Tested
GED Testing Service continues revisions to a new electronic demographic data collection template. The template was reviewed by GED Administrators and Examiners, through December 9, 2009. The Research unit, that is leading this project, plans to work with administrators from a few states to field-test items with potential candidates to ensure demographic items are clear and readable.

Thanks go out to the many administrators and examiners who have already provided feedback – the demographic data form of the future will be a much better instrument because of their efforts.

Marketing & Public Relations

Marketing Collateral Material Design Process Underway
We are moving forward quickly on developing a design template that will lead to new GED-related collateral material (marketing pieces) and a microsite for the pilot projects (a mini web site focused around the marketing campaign/messages – geared primarily towards prospective test-takers and their influencers). We are working with Round2integrated—you can find more about them on their web site—to develop three concepts, based upon the research and other information gathering activities we've conducted over the past year-and-a-half.

We are currently refining and selecting the three design concepts, then will be conducting focus groups, likely with prospective test-takers, adult educators (involved daily with GED prep), and GED testing professionals (also those who interact with test-takers daily), just after the start of the year. From there we will quickly begin developing collateral materials, to include an informational template for testing centers, a brochure, a careers/grads spotlight piece, a postcard template, a web page template/style sheet, an e-newsletter masthead, an influencers piece, and a microsite. The planned launch date for the microsite and collateral material printing for the pilot states is set for March 1.

Miss last month's edition? Here are the top three stories from November:

1. Facebook User Guide for GED Testing Professionals
2. GED Testing Service Briefing with Prep Publishers
3. Examiner's Corner: Delivery of the 2010 GED Testing Materials

Local

Local Headlines

Texas
From high school dropout to educator

Wisconsin
Action board puts stimulus funds to use as GED Test fee assistance

Indiana
Indianapolis Colts help less fortunate during holidays

Michigan
Doors to opportunity could be opening for those affected by auto industry downsizing

Arizona
College services changed man's outlook on education

National (Press Release)
Dollar General puts GED information at cash register in every store

California
More adult students, fewer classes available

Georgia
School shows off programs for those pursuing GED diploma

Maine
GED graduate wins scholarship to medical school

New Mexico
GED grads aim high

Georgia
Largest graduation class to date for GED program

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help@GEDtestingservice.com
This page last updated on 12/16/2009