1. Department of Labor’s YouthBuild Federal Learning Exchange Washington, DC April 9, 2013

2. Daphne Atkinson Senior Director, External Relations Brian Smith Legislative and Advocacy Manager Presenters 2

3. The New GED ® Test in 2014: What’s Driving GEDTS? GED ® test-takers: Market research & demographics GED ® testing on computer –Registration and scheduling –Computer skills for the GED ® test –First-year GED ® testing on computer results Closeout Campaign Session Agenda 3

4. What’s driving the GED Testing Service? 4

5. Because of changes in the landscape of education and the workforce, a new GED ® assessment is needed … to better measure adults’ preparedness for career and college to provide better information to users to provide a more systematic and integrated approach for learners … … Ensuring that the GED® test credential remains meaningful for adult learners, employers, and institutions What’s driving the change? 5 … ensuring that the GED ® test credential is positioned over the long-term to retain and enhance its relevance for adults, employers, and postsecondary institutions.

6. 6 Purposes of the new GED ® test 1.To provide a results leading to the award of a high school equivalency credential 2.To provide evidence of readiness to enter workforce training programs or postsecondary education 3.To provide actionable information about a candidate’s academic strengths and weaknesses Improved

7. LAUNCH: –January 2, 2014 –Delivered by computer in secure testing centers CONTENT: –Aligned with career- and college-readiness content most closely linked to career and postsecondary success –Four content area sections rather than five –“Passing Standard” – represents high school equivalency, reflecting actual performance of 2013 graduating high school seniors –The 2014 GED ® Test will also provide more information about academic knowledge and skills deemed critical by employers and colleges – College and Career-Readiness targets The new GED ® assessment: Key facts 7 Performance Standards Content Platform Launch

8. 2002 Paper plus GED ® testing on computer an option in more than 40 states 100% multiple choice plus an essay based on personal experience or opinion Science & Social Studies largely “reading” tests Language Arts split into two content areas—reading and writing 2014 Available only on computer Multiple choice (a strong majority) plus technologically enhanced items Evidence-based writing Content knowledge for science and social studies Reasoning through Language Arts (an integrated approach to reading and writing about what is read) The big picture: 2002 versus 2014 8

9. 7 Hours of testing time –Reasoning through Language Arts: 150 minutes (including 10 minute break) –Mathematical reasoning: 90 minutes –Science: 90 minutes –Social Studies: 90 minutes Standardized delivery on computer, in a testing center What will the 2014 GED ® test look like? 9

10. CBT user interface is designed so that a learner with only basic computer skills is able to test successfully on computer Basic keyboarding/typing skills (highly recommended for the Language Arts, Writing test) Familiarity with hardware (a keyboard and mouse) and software (scrolling, graphics, and exhibit windows) What computer skills are necessary? 10

11. See Assessment Guide & Four Item Samplers Assessment Guide Chapters 1 thru 3 Item Samplers: Reasoning through Language Arts Mathematical Reasoning Science Social Studies http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/assessment-guide-for- educators http://www.GEDTestingservice.com/educators/new-assessment For more test information 11

12. GED ® TEST-TAKERS: MARKET RESEARCH & DEMOGRAPHICS 12

13. GED ® Test-takers 13 Millennials (16-30) 74% Gen Xers (30-49) 23% Others (50+) 3% 2011 GED Testing Program ® Statistical Report

14. Sixty-seven percent own a personal computer and for those who don’t, 84 percent believe that they can easily access one. Fifty percent own smartphones, which are used to access apps, email, and the Internet. They understand the major role technology will play in earning a better-paying or higher-level job and succeeding in college and training programs. What GED ® test-takers tell us 14

15. Why test on computer? –One-stop registration and scheduling –Enhanced test security –Flexible testing experience –Official score reports in 3 hours 15 First – Test-taker access and convenience Second – The 2014 GED ® test requires computer delivery to assess content and support advanced scoring and reporting

16. Enables measurement of concepts and/or skills that cannot be fully or appropriately captured by paper based tests (Bennett 2002; Parshall, Harmes, Davey, & Pashley, 2010) Improves measurement by increasing the precision or efficiency of the measurement process (Parshall, Spray, Kalohn, & Davey, 2001; van der Linden & Glas, 2000; Wainer, 1990) Computer-based assessment... 16

17. “It was easy to understand and easier to concentrate.” “It was more independent than the booklets; I could work at my own pace and do the tests in the order that I chose.” “Refreshing to get your scores right away.” “Great to have everything in one place and no paper forms. I wish I could have taken my previous tests on computer.” “The test was super easy and the computer option should have been available sooner. Scheduling was quick and simple. I can't wait to schedule the rest of the sections. I plan on attending CC and studying x-ray tech.” Quotes from real test-takers 17

18. Extra time (25%, 50%, 100%) Extra “stop-the-clock” breaks Large print or screen magnification Paper test Auditory presentation Braille Color and contrast options Plug-and-play adaptive equipment Separate room Reader/recorder Other customized solutions Accommodations available on the GED ® test 18

19. Website includes: –Detailed Documentation Guidelines –Detailed FAQs and other helpful resources –Accommodations Request Forms –Step-by-step directions –Information for the candidate’s evaluator Requesting accommodations Candidates are directed to www.GEDtestingservice.com/accommodations www.GEDtestingservice.com/accommodations 19

20. GED ® TESTING ON COMPUTER 20

21. GED ® Testing on Computer: 2013 Year to Date 21 32,032 test modules delivered 32,032 test modules delivered 711 CBT centers

22. WA AK OR ID CA NV AZ UT MT WY CO NM ND SD NE KS OK TX LA AR MO IA MN WI IL MS AL TN IN MI OH KY GA FL SC NC WV VA PA NY MD DC DE NJ CT RI MA NH ME VT HI GED ® Testing on Computer is LIVE in 49 Jurisdictions including the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Bermuda, DANTES, Newfoundland & Saskatchewan (Canada), International

23. REGISTRATION & SCHEDULING 23

24. Registration and Scheduling Landing Page - www.GEDcomputer.com www.GEDcomputer.com 24

25. Phases of GED ® Test on Computer Registration Three Phases: 1.Account Creation 2.Registration 3.Test Scheduling The banner below appears throughout the registration and scheduling process to notify the test-taker of their progress. 25

26. Account Creation Steps 1.Terms of Use – Candidate ID Agreement 2.New Candidate Record 3.Username and Password Creation 26

27. New Candidate Record 27

28. Registration Steps 1.GED Testing Service Demographic Form 2.State Specific Demographic Form 28

29. GED ® Testing Service Demographic Form 29

30. State Specific Demographic Form 30

31. Test Scheduling Steps 1.Select Content Areas 2.Select Testing Center, Date, and Time 3.Verify Testing Appointment 4.Agree to GED ® Test Policies 5.Enter Payment Information 31

32. Select Content Areas 32

33. Select Testing Center, Date, and Time 33

34. Enter Payment Information 34

35. COMPUTER SKILLS FOR THE GED ® TEST 35

36. Tutorials walk test-takers through the process step by step –Creating an account –Registering –Scheduling –Test-taking on computer Available at www.GEDcomputer.com www.GEDtestingservice.com /tutorialswww.GEDtestingservice.com /tutorials New CBT tutorials on website! 36

37. Click Drag and drop Scroll Mouse Skills 37

38. Click 38

39. Drag-and-Drop 39

40. Scroll 40

41. Basic keyboarding Cut Copy Paste Undo/Redo Insert Enter – hard return Spacing Backspace Highlight Word Processing Skills 41

42. Short Answer 42 Insert Text

43. Directional tools Calculator Calculator Reference Formula Sheet Æ Symbol (Symbol Selector) Flag for Review Item Review Screen Tools 43

44. Previous/Next Close Minimize Page tabs Directional Tools 44

45. Other Tools 45

46. Using Item Review 46

47. FIRST-YEAR GED ® TESTING ON COMPUTER RESULTS 47

48. 40,000+ test modules… –The pass rate for CBT is 88% vs. the pass rate on paper of 71% –CBT test-takers were 59 percent more likely to retake a failed test—unlike those testing on paper –Faster completion times—about 90 minutes faster than their P&P counterparts First-year CBT results 48

49. Second Shot promotion Computer based testers are finishing faster, scoring higher and retaking failed tests at a much higher rate 49

50. Second Shot Promotion Launched a couple of weeks ago and will run though the end of May Gives first-time test-takers the ability to try the computer- based test and if they fail they get one free retake It has been very well received, but we still want to get the message out widely We are reaching out to CBT Test Centers to talk about the promotion and how their candidates can take advantage of the promotion and to discuss our CBT first-year results 50

51. Pricing of GED ® testing on computer 51

52. The base price: $24 per content area test The base price is $24 per test whether the battery is completed in five appointments or one The re-testing base price is also $24 Test-taker fees will continue to be determined by jurisdictions – Each jurisdiction will continue to have flexibility to discount fees or add additional fees to the base price. Base Pricing Overview 52  This flat-rate approach is easier for everyone to understand.

53. Services Included in CBT Delivery Mode: Base Pricing Overview 53 Test Battery Leasing Internet, In-person, Phone Registration & Scheduling Fee Collection Test Scoring Instant Unofficial Score Reports for Multiple Choice Tests Reporting Data Management Data Transfers Flexible Testing Schedules Test Security Proctoring Accommodations

54. Test Center Payment – From the $24 per test, the test center will be paid $5 per appointment hour (about $9.30 per content area). For example, if the Science test is scheduled for two hours the test center will receive a minimum of $10. The test center will receive $10 even if they finish the test in a shorter amount of time. Extra hours associated with accommodations are paid in full— even if the time is not used. Test Center Compensation 54

55. The Closeout Campaign 55

56. Your future is calling. By completing the GED ® test, you can answer the call. Complete the GED ® test by the end of 2013, and then go on to college, a better job, the respect you deserve, and the accomplishment of earning your high school credential. Campaign Message 56

57. www.GEDtestingservice.com/closeout Join the Campaign, Get Resources, Inform Adult Learners 57

58. We will be conducting a webinar with YouthBuild this spring focused exclusively on professional development This webinar will provide an overview on the resources available to prepare for the 2014 GED ® test Webinar on Professional Development 58

59. A Teacher’s Guide to the 2014 GED ® Test –This eight-week course is designed for busy educators who need the flexibility to direct their own learning and learn at their own pace. –The course is also designed to assist you in organizing and applying the wealth of information available issued by the GED Testing Service about the new GED ® test in your classrooms. Especially For Teachers 59

60. QUESTIONS 60

61. Questions: GED2014@GEDtestingservice.comGED2014@GEDtestingservice.com Website: www.GEDtestingservice.com www.GEDtestingservice.com Thank You 61