New Year, New Professional Development

Each year we put together professional development workshops and webinars to help educators prepare students for the GED test subjects. 

The adult education community is a huge part of the success of the GED test program and we are excited to kick off a new year with a full lineup of classroom strategies, teaching tips and resources to help your students gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed. 

One of our professional development focus areas this year will be instructional transitions:

• ABE to GED level instruction

In program year 2018, approximately 1.4 million adults enrolled in programs across the country: approximately 17% ASE, 43% ABE and 45% English Language Learners. These percentages have held steady over the years. Students who possess Adult Secondary Education (ASE) skills are in the minority. A much larger percentage of students function at the upper levels of Adult Basic Education, i.e., Pre-GED.

During 2020, a significant focus for professional development will be on helping teachers identify ways they can move students more effectively and efficiently from adult basic education to a GED level and on to passing the GED test.

• From Passing to College and Career Readiness

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II funds are tied to program performance. Over the years, a greater emphasis has been placed on students earning high school credentials, entering postsecondary education/training, and attaining employment. 

During 2020, professional development will be provided in areas within Mathematical Reasoning and Reasoning through Language Arts that will enable students to earn higher scores on these tests. Providing teachers with higher level content will enable them to help students earn the scores necessary to avoid remedial classes and focus instead on credit earning courses.

Professional development offered in 2020 will also focus on the evolution of the GED classroom:

• Engaging students in the learning process

Approximately 30% of all adult education students range in age from 16-24. An additional 50% fall into the 25-44 range. These two groups represent three different generations: GenZ, Millennials, and GenX. The remaining 20% of students fall into the Baby Boomer generation. Each generation has its own preferences for taking in and processing information. Each generation has unique needs in how they prefer to work within a classroom. 

During 2020, more emphasis will be placed on how to adapt specific instructional strategies to meet the learning preferences of students from different generations.

• Bringing in new resources

Tuesdays for Teachers’ attendees often request information on resources (English and Spanish) to use in the classroom. 

Throughout the coming year, more attention will be devoted to showing teachers how to connect to and use resources found on GED.com, as well as other resources such as GED Live, GED Flash and other study and preparation tools. In addition, each webinar will include a segment on instructional resources that are free or low cost that focus on the content covered during the webinar.

Last but certainly not least, we will be on the road presenting professional development at national conferences including the COABE 2020 Conference and the 2020 GED Annual Conference.

This year’s GED conference will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis from July 27th to 29th. Our conference will offer opportunities to access the latest professional development, resources and program enhancements GED Testing Service has to offer. Registration is now open with discounted rates. 

Thank you for all your support and we’ll see you on the road or online!