GED 2014 Changes, Challenges, and Choices October 14, 2014

Today’s Topics Changes – Why change? – What Changed? Challenges – New skill requirements – New focus means new teaching focus Choices – GED vs. TASC

Changes Why Change? – Keep test relevant to changing standards – About every 10 years What’s Changed? – Test goals – Format – Content – Test basis

Test Goals To provide results leading to the award of a high school equivalency credential To provide evidence of readiness to enter workforce training programs or postsecondary education (Honors) To provide actionable information about a candidate’s academic strengths and weaknesses

Test Scoring Two levels of completion – Passing—High school equivalency – Honors—candidate is prepared for job training or post-secondary education Scoring scaled from – is Passing – 170+ is Honors Minimum 600 total for entire battery 680 for full Honors

Why Computer-based Testing? Technology is EVERYWHERE! Today… – Most job postings are exclusively online – Most job applications are completed online – Most job responsibilities have a technology component built in In the next decade… – Career opportunities will be created by technological advances

Format Changes 2002 Booklet and bubble sheet Five tests One essay Results by mail No performance feedback 2014 Computer based testing Four tests Two “extended response” Results in minutes or day Extensive performance feedback

Format Changes Computer based testing (CBT) allows new response types – Fill in the Blank – Drag and Drop – Hot Spot – Short Answer – Extended Response – Drop down

Content Changes 2002 Literacy Arts – Includes essay Reading Mathematics Social Studies Science 2014 Reasoning Through Language Arts – Includes extended response Mathematical Reasoning Social Studies – Includes extended response Science

Test Basis 2002 Bloom’s Taxonomy – Remembering – Understanding – Applying – Analyzing – Evaluating – Creating 2014 Webb’s Depth of Knowledge – Level 1—Recall & reproduction – Level 2— Skills and concepts – Level 3—Short-term Strategic thinking – Level 4—Extended thinking

DOK Basics Depth of Knowledge—basis of Common Core Standards A way to analyze a wide range of educational materials on the basis of the cognitive demands they require in order for a learner to produce a response to those materials. By contrast, 2002 test based on – “knowing/head, feeling/heart, doing/hands” – Application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation Emphasis is on the complexity of the cognitive process that activities (applying, analyzing, creating) requires on the part of the learner. DOK level 1-3 skills.

Examples of DOK Levels DOK 1- Describe three characteristics of metamorphic rocks. (Requires simple recall) DOK 2- Describe the difference between metamorphic and igneous rocks. (Requires cognitive processing to determine the differences in the two rock types) DOK 3- Describe a model that you might use to represent the relationships that exist within the rock cycle. (Requires deep understanding of rock cycle and a determination of how best to represent it)

The Rock Cycle OK, I had to look it up!

Challenges New skill requirements – Computer skills Typing! Mouse skills – Pop-up window management – Drag and drop, cut and paste Change in focus – More real world, so different topics – Tutors face same problem as teachers dealing with Common Core Standards

Resource Challenges 2002 test served by wealth of published and online material 2014 test not yet so well-supported Best source at this time is the GED Testing Service site Beware of other sources, as 2002 material may now be misleading

Choices GED Testing Service test available at testing sites throughout California California has also approved McGraw-Hill’s Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)

What is TASC? McGraw Hill’s Test Assessing Secondary Completion An approved GED alternative in California Designed to assess candidates’ level of achievement relative to high school seniors

From McGraw-Hill Three TASC test forms are available each year in English and Spanish with accommodations including large print, Braille, and audio. TASC test addresses the learning standards set forth by the Common Core State Standards and College and Career Readiness Standards, and measures test takers' level of achievement relative to that of graduating high school seniors and, readiness for post-secondary education. Supports a complete alignment to Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) National College and Career Standards for Adult Education.

GED vs. TASC GED 2014 Common Core Standards based Exclusively computer based testing Four Tests Two free retakes Honors score level Cost to state=$120 In place in California TASC Working toward CCS in first years Computer based or paper based tests Five tests Two free retakes Single score level Cost to state=$52 Coming to California

From McGraw-Hill Beginning in 2015, TASC test will offer increased coverage of the College and Career Readiness Standards through a gradual inclusion of additional item types including constructed- response items and technology-enhanced items.

TASC Question Types Multiple-choice items in all content areas One extended writing prompt, like 2002 GED Gridded response items in mathematics Stimulus-based science and social studies multiple-choice item sets.

Resources GED Testing Service web site McGraw-Hill TASC web site

Today’s Topics Changes – Why change? – What Changed? Challenges – New skill requirements – New focus means new teaching focus Choices – GED vs. TASC