1. Preparing for 2014 and Beyond:
High School Equivalency in California
Diane Hernandez, State GED® Administrator
Director,
Assessment Development and Administration
Division
November 8, 2013
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

2. Presentation Overview
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
• Implementing Computer-Based Testing
(CBT)
• New GED Test
• GED Regulations, Potential for Other Tests
• Transitional Waiver Program
• Closeout of the 2002 Series GED Test
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3. Implementing CBT
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
• The Current 2002 Series GED test is being
offered in the computer-based format
• Test takers can access an online registration and
scheduling system
• Test takers receive instant score reports on four
of the five content areas
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4. CBT (cont.)
Sites Delivering the GED Test on Computer
as of September 2013
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
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ABC Adult School
Crossroads Charter Academy
Allan Hancock College
Antelope Valley Adult School
Baldwin Park Adult School
Butte Community College
Cerro Coso Community College
Chula Vista Adult School
Clovis Adult Education
Desert Edge High School
Escondido Adult School
Fresno Adult School
Glenn Adult Program
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education
Hayward Adult School
Hemet Adult School
Irvine Valley College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
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Mt. San Jacinto College
Merced Adult School
Metropolitan Adult Education Program
Nevada Union Adult Education
Oxnard College
Placer School for Adults
Riverside Adult School
Rowland Adult and Community
Education
San Diego State - Imperial Valley
Campus
Shasta College
Ventura Continuing Adult Education
Ukiah Adult School
Visalia Adult School
Vista Adult Education Center
Woodland Adult Education
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5. CBT (cont.)
Site Options
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
There are four options available to become a
Pearson VUE Testing Center (PVTC) and offer
CBT:
1.Authorized PVTC
2.Fixed Additional Site (contractually linked to the
parent site with an Exhibit B)
3.Mobile Additional Site (contractually linked to the
parent site with an Exhibit B)
4.GED – Only Site
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6. CBT (cont.)
Site Options
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
Option 1: Authorized PVTC
A fixed, physical, testing site that is independently
authorized to offer the full range of Pearson VUE
tests pursuant to the PVTC contract.
Option 2: Fixed Additional Site (contractually
linked to the parent site with an Exhibit B)
An additional, fixed, physical testing site that is
linked to, operated by and dependent on a PVTC
and its PVTC contract.
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7. CBT (cont.)
Site Options
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
Option 3: Mobile Additional Site (contractually
linked to the parent site with an Exhibit B)
A mobile, laptop-based testing platform that is
linked to, operated by and dependent on a PVTC
and its PVTC contract.
Option 4: GED – Only Site
A fixed, physical testing site that is independently
authorized to offer only the GED test on computer.
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8. CBT (cont.)
Site Options Resources
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
For more information on Authorized PVTCs refer to the Toolkit link
at the following Web site : http://
www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/offercbt
For more information on Fixed Additional Sites contact Pearson
VUE Channel Sales at 800-247-8719 or e-mail at
PVAcademic@pearson.com
For more information on Mobile Additional Sites refer to the
following Web site:
http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/mobile
For more information on GED – Only Sites refer to the following
Web site: http://www.gedtestingservice.com/offerCBT
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9. The CBT Experience
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
• More than 200,000 GED test modules
delivered since January 2013.
• Test takers are passing at a higher rate
Pass rate on computer – 88 percent
Pass rate on paper – 71 percent
• Test takers are finishing faster
• Test takers are more likely to retake a
CBT
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10. New GED Test
Key Facts
Attribute
2002 Test
2014 Test
Launch date
January 2002
January 2, 2014
Languages
English, Spanish, and
French
English and Spanish
Delivery mode
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Delivery locations
GED secure testing
centers
Pearson VUE secure
testing centers
Content
High school content
determined by survey
committee members
Career and collegeready content aligned
with Common Core
State Standards
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
Paper
Computer (2013)
Computer
Paper – limited
accommodations
and Transitional
Waiver Program
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11. New GED Test
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
•
The GED® test battery will be comprised of four content
areas:
1. Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA): 150 minutes
2. Mathematical Reasoning: 90 minutes
3. Science: 90 minutes
4. Social Studies: 90 minutes
•
Test takers may test three times each year. In 2015, test
takers may test more than three times per year
•
Annual testing opportunity expanded – retest opportunities
up to seven times in a 12-month year
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12. New GED Test
Score Scale
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
•
New GED test will be on a scale of 100 to 200 with high
school equivalency Passing Standard on each content
module set at 150
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Battery passing score will be sum of the 4 module passing
scores for a total of 600
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Because standardization and norming study data will be fit
to the new scale and passing centered at 150, the upper
and lower limits may end up at values slightly different
from 200 and 100; those values will be announced this fall
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13. New GED Test
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
Seven different item types:
•Multiple-choice
•Fill-in-the-blank
•Drag-and-drop
•Hot-spots
•Drop-down
•Short-answer
•Extended-response
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14. New Content Area and Focus
Reading-Language Arts
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
•
Reading closely, writing clearly, and editing and
understanding the use of standard written English in
context
•
Marshaling evidence and analyzing arguments while also
expressing oneself clearly and fluently in writing
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Correctly applying basic grammar and usage conventions
and also determining meanings of unfamiliar words from
context
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15. New Content Area and Focus
Mathematical Reasoning
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
• Executing and applying core computations with
precision and fluency
• Applying both quantitative and algebraic
reasoning skills to a broad range of real-life,
workplace, and academic contexts
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16. New Content Area and Focus
Science
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
• Applying scientific reasoning skills to content
drawn from the three domains of Life Science,
Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science
• Understanding scientific content pertaining to
two focusing themes: “Health and the Human
Body” and “Energy”
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17. New Content Area and Focus
Social Studies
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
• Applying social studies reasoning skills to
content drawn from the four domains of Civics
and Government, United States History,
Economics, and Geography and the World
• Analyzing source documents and interpreting
data represented in a variety of social-studiesrelevant ways, including maps, graphs and
tables
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18. New GED Test
Overall Implications for Instruction
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
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Incorporate use of and comfort with technology
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Increase emphasis on:
– Critical thinking skills
– Application in all content areas
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Teach content so that learners are able to demonstrate
skills and competencies.
–Don’t just emphasize test taking strategies
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Teaching of writing to emphasize skills of analysis and the
ability to read critically to identify and draw on evidence in
source material
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19. New GED Test
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
How to prepare to teach test takers:
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Download and read the Assessment Guide for Educators
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Access the Item Samplers
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Watch the 2014 GED Test Webinars
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Access the GED Test: A Content Comparison
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Teacher’s Guide to the 2014 GED Test
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20. New GED Test
Resources
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
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The assessment guide is in PDF format and may be downloaded
at the following Web site:
http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/assessment-guidefor-educators
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The item sampler is available at the following Web site:
http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/itemsampler
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The 2014 GED Test Webinars are available at the following Web
site:
http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/exploring-the-2014ged-test-webinar-archive
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The teacher’s Guide is available at the following Web site:
http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/2014-guide
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21. The GED Test
Resources (cont.)
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
The GED Test: A Content Comparison and all other
resources for educators and administrators may be
access at the following Web site:
http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/
resources-educators
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22. The GED Test
Resources (cont.)
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
GED Ready™: The Official Practice Test
•GED Ready will be available this fall and can be purchased
in bundles for your testing or adult education center.
•Official Launch: November 2013
•Distribution: Through select publishers
•Platform: Computer, like the official test
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23. The GED Test
Resources (cont.)
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
GED Ready: The Official Practice Test Continued
Computer-based delivery
GED Ready has the same look and feel as the real GED test, but is half the
length. Test takers who try GED Ready will get firsthand experience answering
computer-based test questions written and developed by the test’s creators.
Instant score
Evaluate your test takers’ instant GED Ready scores and decide if they’re
prepared to test. You’ll be able to identify areas of strength and weakness and
immediately work on improvements.
Focused study plans
GED Ready will be synced to publisher books and courses to help you create
targeted study plans for your test-takers. When someone finishes GED Ready,
they’ll receive specific guidance on what to study in publishers’ test prep
materials.
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24. The GED Test
Resources (cont.)
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
The Publisher Prep Materials may be access at the following
Web site: http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/2014publishers
Some of the publishers include:
A+ by K12
Ed2go
Aztec Software
Kaplan Test Prep
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Learning Express
GED Academy
Edmentum
i-Pathways
Castle Learning online
Paxen
Peterson’s
KET
New Readers Press
Teknimedia
REA
Math Media
My Foundations Lab
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25. The GED Test
Resources (cont.)
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
MyGED™
•Start-to-finish online program for test takers and those who
work with them. A flexible system that helps learners prepare
for and succeed on the GED Test, getting them closer to
career and college goals
•Launching December 2013, MyGED™ will be the entry-point
for all 2014 GED test activities
•Educators – connect with students and customize
preparation for greater success
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26. The GED Test
Resources (cont.)
TOM TORLAKSON
MyGED™:
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
•A personalized online program that guides test takers through the
entire testing process and assists in post-secondary transitions
•Get jurisdiction-specific information
•Prepare online with selected study materials using the study tool
wizard
•Register
•Request accommodations
•Schedule test and re-test
•Review test day tips
•View and print enhanced score reports with study recommendations
•Order transcripts and diploma
•Transition to college & careers
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27. GED Regulations
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
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On July 30, 2013, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted
the California Department of Education (CDE) proposed
amendments to the existing GED regulations. References to tests
owned by the American Council on Education and the GED were
removed from the regulations
•
The Office of Administrative Law approved the GED regulations
on September 25, 2013 and they will become effective on
January 1, 2014
•
Information regarding State Board Items related to the GED Test,
may be found at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/rr/
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28. GED Regulations, Potential for
Other Tests
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
• The approved GED regulations provides the
CDE the opportunity and flexibility to explore
options that may lead to alternative assessments
• Alternative assessments must be approved by
the SBE
• Test takers that pass any assessments approved
by the SBE will earn a high school equivalency
certificate
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29. Transitional Waiver Program
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
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The Transitional Waiver Program is a limited, time-bound
program for affected correctional or locked facilities that
would allow the staff to continue to administer the paperbased 2002 Series GED Test
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The CDE has been approved for the Transitional Waiver
Program
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The CDE is still accepting applications from testing centers
interested in applying for the Transitional Waiver Program
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If your testing center or facility would need to be covered by
this waiver, please contact our office by phone at 916-4459438 or by e-mail at GEDoffic@cde.ca.gov
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30. Closeout of the 2002 GED® Test
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
The core campaign message to GED® test takers:
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 you
high school credential.
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31. Closeout of the 2002 GED Test
(cont.)
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
• Professionals without access to GED
AccessPoint™ log in at the following Web site:
www.Gedtestingservice.com/educators/brandcen
tral/intro
• All materials for 2002 Series Closeout Campaign
will be free of charge and include free shipping
• All order and shipping confirmations will come
from GED Testing Service® Storefront
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32. GED Contact Information
TOM TORLAKSON
State Superintendent of
Public Instruction
Policy and General Information
High School and Physical Fitness
Assessment Office
916-445-9438
GEDoffic@cde.ca.gov
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