1

Gold ND Community CallJune 3, 2014

2

Agenda

• Peer-to-Peer Discussion: Adapting to the 2014 GED• “That Time of Year”: Subgrantee Monitoring• A Closer Look: Core Hours of Instruction • What’s New: NDTAC Products

– Technology-Based Program Highlights

3

Peer-to-Peer Discussion: Adapting to the 2014 GED

Potential issues Title I, Part D Programs may face with the new GED• Administering the GED now requires a computer• The difficulty of the GED has increased• The cost of the GED has increased

The information on the following slides is available at http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/2014-faqs

4

Computer Format of the 2014 GED

ABOUT THE 2014 GED® TEST

What is the test format?The test is on computer.

Note: Most correctional institutions will be offering the 2014 GED® test on computer. Certain institutions, however, may be granted a waiver to continue administering the 2002 Series test on paper for a limited period of time while they improve their computer infrastructure. Check with your local GED Administrator™ for more information on the Transitional Waiver Program in your jurisdiction and institution.

Is keyboarding speed an issue? How does this influence test time?The time given is adequate for students to construct their answer and key in their response. Field testing has demonstrated that even test-takers with minimal keyboarding skills have adequate time.

Will there still be multiple versions (forms) of each subject test?Yes, as in any high quality standardized testing program, multiple equivalent forms of the test will be administered to test-takers to ensure that test security is maintained and to offer multiple testing opportunities to test-takers who might not pass on their first attempt. The 2014 GED® test offers three forms in English and three forms in Spanish. 

5

Difficulty of the 2014 GED

STANDARDIZATION, NORMING, AND PASSING STANDARDS

 

How hard is the test?

The test is aligned with today's high school standards. The difficulty level needed to pass the GED® test is the same difficulty level as needed to pass high school today.

Since the test is being normed on high school graduates, will there be much of a difference in passing rates?

The Passing Standard for high school equivalency was set based on the performance of a national sample of high school graduates from the class of 2013.  The cut score for high school equivalency was set at a performance level such that the passing rates on the individual content-area tests are comparable to those that are currently in place for the 2002 Series GED® Test.  The Passing Standard on each content area test has been established at a scaled score of 150 on a scale of 100 to 200.

6

Cost of the 2014 GED

PRICING

What is the price breakdown per test?

The 2014 GED® test including all the standard elements of the 2014 GED® program costs jurisdictions $30 per each of the 4 modules, for a total of $120.  The price that test-takers pay is set by jurisdictions, and varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  For more information about the complete 2014 GED®program, visit our web site at http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/2014program.

Is there funding available to help offset the costs?

Studies conducted in 2011 by GED Testing Service demonstrated that funding to help students offset the cost of testing is available from a variety of sources nationwide.

7

2014 GED in the Correctional Setting

CORRECTIONS

Any comments regarding limitations or accommodations for testing in corrections?

Most correctional institutions will be offering the 2014 GED® test on computer. Certain institutions, however, may be granted a waiver to continue administering the 2002 Series test on paper for a limited period of time while they improve their computer infrastructure. Check with your local GED Administrator™ for more information on the Transitional Waiver Program in your jurisdiction and institution.

Will the web resources be downloadable for correctional education? 

Yes.

How long will correctional facilities have before they will be required to offer computer based testing?

This decision is being made on a case-by-case basis based on waiver applications submitted by jurisdictions to the GED Testing Service. Check with your local GED Administrator™ for more information on the Transitional Waiver Program in your jurisdiction and institution.

What about programs for those incarcerated and computers are not an option because of security?

Most prisons will be able to offer the test on computer. Prisons not able to offer computer-based testing will continue to offer the 2002 Series GED® Test on paper for a limited approved amount of time. Check with your local GED Administrator™ for more information on the Transitional Waiver Program in your jurisdiction and institution.

Will students from the correctional education setting be included in norming sample this year?

The test has been normed on a national sample of high school graduates from the class of 2013. As such, students from corrections, who are typically adults, were not included in this sample.

Can practice tests for corrections be used in the classroom or only in testing area?

Practice tests in corrections or otherwise may be used in an instructional setting, keeping in mind that for the score to be truly predictive of how a student will score on the operational test the administration conditions need to be as similar as possible to an actual testing environment.

Will there be an offline version of the 2014 GED® test tutorial?

Yes, there is an offline version of the tutorial for use in corrections.

8

That Time of Year: Subgrante Monitoring

• What issues have you run into when doing your subgrantee monitoring?

• Any advice for fellow coordinators as they do their subgrantee monitoring?

9

NDTAC Resources Related to Subgrantee Monitoring

• Tip Sheet: Subgrantee Monitoring

• Webinar: Compliance Isn't Built in a Day: The Importance of Ongoing Communication in Subgrantee Monitoring

• Presentation: Innovative Approaches to Offsite Monitoring and TA Provision 

10

A Closer Look: Core Hours of Instruction

• What questions do you have regarding core hours of instruction?

11

Statute Requirements Around Program of Instruction

SUBPART 1: SEC. 1412. 

SUBGRANTS TO STATE AGENCIES—IN GENERAL—Each State agency described in section 1411 (other than an agency in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) is eligible to receive a subgrant under this subpart, for each fiscal year, in an amount equal to the product of—• the number of neglected or delinquent children and youth described

in section 1411 who—– are enrolled for at least 15 hours per week in education programs in adult

correctional institutions; and– are enrolled for at least 20 hours per week—

• in education programs in institutions for neglected or delinquent children and youth; or

• in community day programs for neglected or delinquent children and youth; and

12

Non Regulatory Guidance Related to Core Hours of Instruction-Subpart 1

A-4. How is a "regular program of instruction" defined?

As noted in item A-1, Subpart 1 allocations are based on counts of children and youth who are N or D and who are in a "regular program of instruction." Section 200.90(b) of the Title I, Part D regulations defines a "regular program of instruction" as an educational program (not beyond grade 12) that is in an institution or in a community day program for children who are N or D and that consists of classroom instruction in basic school subjects, such as reading, mathematics, and vocationally-oriented subjects, and is supported by non-federal funds. Neither the manufacture of goods within the institution or program nor activities related to institutional maintenance are considered classroom instruction.

A-5. Must the 15 or 20 hours of instruction that an SA is required to provide to qualify for Subpart 1 funds be entirely from State funding, or could the instruction time include education programs funded by other Federal agencies?

The State's regular program of instruction must be State funded and must meet the required number of hours; the instructional program cannot include additional instructional time provided with Title I of ESEA or other Federal funds.

13

TA provided around hours of instruction

• Core hours of instruction and virtual learning• Pulling youth from core instruction for Title I, Part

D supplemental services• Supplementing quality not quantity of instruction

14

What’s New: NDTAC Products

15

What’s New: NDTAC Products

16

What’s New: NDTAC Products

17

NDTAC Conference

• Dates: July 21 – 23 • Location: The Renaissance Washington, DC

Dupont Circle Hotel• Conference Registration: http://bit.ly/1hY0uAa