1. Introducing the 2014 GED ® Program

2. A brief history of the GED ® Test and the transition to computer 2014 GED ® Program: Supporting College and Career Readiness Changes in content and delivery of test Presentation Overview 2

3. Over 70 years serving adult learners with a national high school equivalency testing program 19 million success stories and counting 97% of colleges and employers understand and recognize the GED ® transcript for purposes of admission or job application Test is available nationally and is portable from one state to another The GED ® Test: A Little History 3

4. To remain relevant To deliver real opportunity for adult learners to succeed in careers or college To better signify adults have the skills and knowledge that employers, training programs and colleges are looking for And finally, to ensure that adults are equipped to compete for middle-skill jobs The GED ® Test has to change 4

5. Jobs and Workers by Skill Level, 2009 Skills Mismatch: A Middle-Skills Gap 5 Sources: U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Bureau of the Census

6. High school is no longer enough Adults need proof they possess the BIG FIVE 1.Critical thinking skills 2.Problem-solving skills 3.Written communication skills 4.Oral communication skills and 5. Digital literacy The least educated suffer the most during economic downturns The realities 6

7. The world is changing and it is taking adult education programs with it. Changes in the landscape of education require a new kind of GED ® Test. Four million middle-skill jobs are open today, but many adult learners do not have the skills to fill these jobs.  The 2014 GED ® program will help bridge that gap. Ensure that the GED ® Test credential remains meaningful for adult learners, institutions, and employers. Bridging the gap for adult learners 7

8. GED ® Test-takers in Virginia 8 Millennials (16-29) 69% Gen Xers (30-49) 25% Others (50+) 6% 2012 GED Testing Program ® Statistical Report

9. Helps prepare students for good jobs with good wages –65% want postsecondary education or training –Unemployment rate drops as education level increases –New jobs require more than just a HS equivalency –Technology is everywhere…use will only increase –The world is the market End-to-end program to provide resources, information and guidance to engage students in their progression The new GED ® Program 9 Prepare Nationally accessible preparation programs Perform Next generation exam Progress Support for post- test transitions

10. Computer-based test (CBT), not an online test Required to be taken at an authorized Pearson VUE Testing Center No more paper-based tests, except for waiver sites (i.e. prisons, jails, detention centers) that are not ready for CBT 2014 GED® Test 10

11. Reading through Language Arts (RLA),150 min. Mathematical Reasoning, 90 min. Science, 90 min. Social Studies, 90 min. GED® 2014 Content Area Sub-tests 11

12. Learner-Centric Program 12 Prepare Nationally accessible preparation programs Perform Next generation exam Progress Support for post- test transitions MyGED™ portal GED Ready™, official practice test MyGED™ portal GED Ready™, official practice test 2014 GED ® Test Aligned with CCR for Adult Education Score report aligned with publisher products Same-day scoring MyGED™ portal 2014 GED ® Test Aligned with CCR for Adult Education Score report aligned with publisher products Same-day scoring MyGED™ portal Enhanced score report Credentialing with Smart Transcript MyGED™ portal Career Pathways Enhanced score report Credentialing with Smart Transcript MyGED™ portal Career Pathways MyGED™ portal – register and schedule online, find a Pearson VUE Test Center Take GED Ready™ practice test

13. 2012 Consumer Preferences Study 2012 CBT Test- taker Process Study 2013 Portal Usability Study Call center reports Hundreds of conversations with educators and testing professionals GED® 2014 Informed by Research 13

14. Support before and after test Easier scheduling Simpler testing process Global access to study tools transition to jobs and college GED® Solution 14

15.  More quickly moves adults into college, jobs, and better salaries  Ensures adults are prepared for college and career training programs  Incorporates digital skills for today’s digital world  Results in a credential recognized and respected by employers and colleges 2014 GED® Program 15

16. Learners told us: They want a quick and easy place to handle all their GED ® Testing steps Want to see their entire pathway “packaged” together Want to know upfront: the steps and requirements Want registration and scheduling to be clear and easy- to-use Learners & MyGED TM 16

17. Learners told us: They want a one-stop shop to review all the options for preparation, further education, and jobs Want options for studying: guided learning and independent studying, online and in person Want all available preparation products and services available in one place Believe the career and college readiness tools give them a competitive edge, increased confidence, and extra motivation Learners & MyGED TM 17

18. Learner Lifecycle 18 PreparePerformProgress Get information Prepare for test Register Obtain eligibility Accommodation Get information Prepare for test Register Obtain eligibility Accommodation Schedule Test day tips Review scores Re-test Schedule Test day tips Review scores Re-test Print score report Receive electronic transcripts Transition to college & careers Print score report Receive electronic transcripts Transition to college & careers MyGED™

19. Develop custom, flexible system that helps learners prepare for and succeed on the test, getting them closer to career and college goals –States manage testing exceptions-example; VA has Individual Student Alternative Education Program (ISAEP) (eligibility requirement) and inform educators/learners of requirements of ISAEP –Educators connect with students and customize preparation for greater success MyGED™ Portal 19

20. GED Testing service will make all accommodations decisions in 2014. During registration students will select “yes” when asked if they intend to apply for accommodations. Test-takers will be notified in writing of the accommodations decision, usually within 30 days. Accommodations 20

21. INSIDE MYGED TM PORTAL GED.COM 21

22. MyGED Personal study tool Local adult education programs GED Ready™: Official Practice Test 2014 GED.com 22

23. MyGED Personal study tool Local adult education programs GED Ready™: Official Practice Test In 2014 23

24. MyGED Personal study tool Local adult education programs GED Ready™: Official Practice Test 24 In 2014

25. MyGED Personal study tool Local adult education programs GED Ready™: Official Practice Test 25 In 2014

26. MyGED Personal study tool Local adult education programs GED Ready™: Official Practice Test 26 In 2014

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34. MyGED™ & Enhanced Score Report  Personal feedback for improvement  Actionable study plan  More engaged students; more targeted instruction 34 In 2014

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39. College & Career Center in MyGED™  Job & college information links  Career skills assessment  More engaged students; test is a springboard to more 39 In 2014

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44. Scheduling Built Around Student  24/7 scheduling from home  Student tests when and where they want  Quicker and easier scheduling 44 In 2014

45.  Current process not setting grads up for success in today’s world  Fewer low-skill jobs available  Students don’t have skills jobs require TODAY 45 63% 12% of GED ® grads completed further education Sources: Career Clusters: Forecasting Demand for Jobs 2008-2018, Georgetown Center on Education & the Workforce; Crossing the Bridge: GED Credentials and Postsecondary Outcomes (2010), GED Testing Service of jobs require more than HS diploma

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50. Standards-based test  Test measures critical thinking and problem-solving skills Smart Transcript  Gives employers and colleges information they need 50 2014

51. Learners told us: They want access when it fits into their schedules More than 2/3 own a computer, but nearly everyone has a mobile phone Want to access something quickly and easily during “unexpected free time” Learners & MyGED TM 51

52. Learners & MyGED TM 52 Smartphone and tablet- friendly for anytime/anywhere access Screen and all fields automatically re-size to fit into any device window

53. INSIDE MYGED TM PORTAL DEVELOPMENT FOR 2014 53

54. Adult educators told us: Educators want better ways to connect with students, when registration and scheduling are online. Adult educator portal with ability to: –Advertise availability of local classes and resources –Review scores on practice tests and operational tests –Recommend areas of focus for studying –Provide ongoing support, guidance, and encouragement online and offline Adult Educators & MyGED TM 54

55. Learners told us: Learners want native language access, to study and learn from others like them, tools to help them find the best pathway for them Spanish-language translation Community features like study groups and social media integration Intake tools to evaluate where to start studying Career interest evaluation tools Learners & MyGED TM 55

56. GED.com (MyGED™ portal) Gedtestingservice.com Gedtestingservice.com/educators/2014-faqs Key GED® Web Sites 56

57. Virginia Department of Education, Office of Adult Education & Literacy (OAEL) http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/adulted/index.shtml http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/adulted/index.shtml Virginia Individual Student Alternative Education Program (ISAEP) http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/isaep/index.shtml Virginia GED® information on the VDOE Web site http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/adulted/ged/index.shtml Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center (VALRC) http://www.valrc.org/ GED® Virginia http://www.vaged.vcu.edu/ Key Virginia GED® Web Sites 57

58. QUESTIONS 58

59. Susan M. Clair, Ed.D. Virginia Department of Education Director, Office of Adult Education and Literacy/ Acting GED State Administrator Thank You! 59