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What’s New? Preparing for the 2014 GED ® Test. March16, 2014. Why did the GED change?. To keep up with the current and future standards of high school graduates. To align with college and career readiness standards.
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What’s New? Preparing for the 2014 GED® Test March16, 2014
Why did the GED change? • To keep up with the current and future standards of high school graduates. • To align with college and career readiness standards. • To ensure GED recipients are prepared for post-secondary education and the workplace.
What’s new in 2014? • There are changes in the delivery, educational framework, and content. • Scores for the current GED Tests DID NOT transfer to the 2014 GED. • The GED Testing Service (GEDTS) has set the cost of the GED at $120. • There are 4 sections: Reasoning through Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematical Reasoning. • 7 1/2 Hours of testing time • Reasoning through Language Arts: 150 minutes • Mathematical reasoning: 115 minutes • Science: 90 minutes • Social Studies: 90 minutes
Delivery • Computer-based • Expanded types of answer formats: multiple choice, drop-down menu, fill in the blank, drag and drop, hot spots, short answer, extended response • A virtual calculator is available: Texas Instruments TI-30 XS • An erasable note board is available
Educational Framework • Webb’s Depth of Knowledge vs. Bloom’s Taxonomy • DOK measures the cognitive complexity of a task, not difficulty • Listing U.S. Presidents in order – difficulty of task is dependent on the knowledge of the person recalling the list. However, recalling memorized information is not a cognitive complex task. • Is not a hierarchy • There are 4 levels of the DOK model. • The verb alone does not determine DOK level; the context determines complexity • The 2014 GED will assess the first 3 DOK levels with 80% of the questions in levels 2 and 3.
Reasoning through Language Arts • Assessment of reading and writing skills are integrated. • The focus is now on three skill areas: • The ability to read closely • The ability to write clearly • The ability to edit and understand the use of standard written English in context • 75% of the reading will be informational texts; 25% will be literature. • The reading selections are 450-900 words long. • One 45-minute extended response item included in response types. • The writing rubric is based on three elements: analysis of arguments and use of evidence, development of ideas and structure, and clarity and command of standard English conventions.
Social Studies • Focus is on four areas: civics and government (50%), U.S. history (20%), economics (15%), and geography and the world (15%). • Within these four areas, the themes that are emphasized are: development of modern liberties and democracy and dynamic responses in societal systems. • One 25-minute extended response item included. • 80% of questions are at the DOK levels 2 and 3. • 50% of the items will be presented in item scenarios with a single stimulus (reading, graphs, or both) for 2 to 3 items.
Science • Focus on three content areas: life science (40%), physical science (40%), and Earth and space science (20%) • Within these three content areas, the themes that are emphasized are: Human Health and Living Systems and Energy and Related Systems. • 80% of questions will be at a DOK level 2 or 3. • 50% of the items will be presented in item scenarios with a single stimulus (reading, graphs, or both) for 2 to 3 items. • Short answer items included.
Mathematical Reasoning • Focused on 2 areas: • Quantitative problem solving - 45% of the test • Algebraic problem solving - 55% of the test • 50% of questions will be at a DOK Level 2. • There are 2 sections - one with the virtual calculator available, one without.
How do I help my student prepare for the 2014 GED? • If you have access to a computer, teach your students some basic computer skills: use a mouse, type at a reasonable rate, cut and paste, click and drag, etc. • Use a wide variety of reading context in lessons • Use longer reading passages • Use more complex reading passages that are level-appropriate • Include U.S. founding documents and “the Great American Conversation” items • Teach content - basic science knowledge, important periods in American history, algebraic problem-solving • Teach academic vocabulary • Teach study skills and assign homework that requires some studying • Use open-ended questions • Have students explain their answers
References/Resources • www.gedtestingservice.com • Click on ‘Educators’ to get to the Assessment Guide for Educators, professional development webinars, and the Teacher’s Guide PD series. • http://svesd.net/files/DOK_Question_Stems.pdf • www.newreaderspress.com/downloads/New2014TestQuickGuide.pdf • www.nwlincs.org/nwlincsweb/EITCMath.htm • Adult education math instructional materials • www.how-to-study.com • Study skills • http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/archives.html#cnn • www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn/commoncore/ela-appendix-b.pdf