How are DOC programs preparing for CBT?

Submitted by Kathy Tracey on Mon, 10/15/2012 - 10:55
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Welcome Heather Claussen Erwin, I look forward to your insight into corrections education. In Illinios, my project (http://www.i-pathways.org) will be working closely with the IDOC in order to bring computer based GED(r) instructon to the classroom. My question is how are other DOC programs preparing for the changes in the GED(r) test in 2014. With the rigor of the common core standards, what problems or barriers are you predicting as teachers begin to implement the needed instructional changes?

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I attended the Corrections Education Association's annual conference in St. Paul, MN this summer and this subject was much talked about.  A rep from Educational Testing Services (ETS), who puts out the GED and is partnering with Pearson on the new computerized version, served as keynote speaker for the main luncheon and talked about the 2014 roll-out.  He talked about the need for prep materials that can be used off-line and said ETS was working with Pearson to address these issues.  Many educators I spoke with are really worried about their ability to prepare students for the new test, not to mention their ability to administer it.  From what I have seen teachers are continuing to prepare students substantively in much the same way they always have.  DOCs seem to be working first on making the substantive changes available, and addressing the issue of access secondarily.  I believe the key barrier is going to be access.  Educators can teach the subject matter, but will have a much more difficult time simulating the computer-based testing experience without some big advances.  As I said, this was heavy on many minds at the annual CEA conference and I know ETS and the DOCs are aware that some decisions and accommodations need to be made so that student inmates will continue to have the opportunity to obtain their GED without interruption as the test transitions in 2014.

Just for clarification, I'm certain ETS is not the organization who has partnered with Pearson for the new 2014 GED.  That would be the American Council on Education (ACE) and GED Testing Service (GEDTS) is the resulting joint venture.  See the link.

Concerning teaching to the new assessment, an Assessment Guide for Educators as well as an Item Sampler are also available to begin familiarizing your staff.  

Finally, Download this document to see how the current GED® test on computer is being implemented in correctional facilities.

These are all right from GED Testing Service.

 

Yes, Troy is right that it is the ACE/GED Testing Service that has essentially merged with Pearson to offer the GED. Here in New York there have been many concerns raised from the field about these developments. In fact, the NY State Education Department is about to issue an RFP inviting organizations to submit proposals to develop a High School Equivalency exam. You can see a link to the state's memo on the subject here. From what I understand New York is part of a group of 25 states that have been discussing alternatives to the Pearson test.

Concerns raised here in New York range from the cost to the speed of the transition to CBT to the idea of a for profit company controlling access to a high school equivalency diploma to what we've seen of the test so far.

I'm curious how people in correctional programs are going to pay the $120 fee for the exam? Will the test taker have to come up with the fee or will programs/states subsidize it? What about the practice test? There will be a fee for that as well.

Thanks John and Troy, for clarifying that it is in fact ACE partnering with Pearson on the CBT. My apologies. As to your note, John, regarding the release of a new RFP for the development of a HS Equivalency exam, it does certainly appear that things are going to get interesting in the field as more state's follow New York's lead. We in Iowa have also been discussing the failure to issue an open call for proposals. I don't think it's too far out of bounds to be on the lookout for lawsuits concerning that oversight.

I'm interested to hear if anyone has any other information regarding DOCs transitioning to the GED CBT.  In addition to conversations at the CEA conference, I've spoken with several educators at Iowa facilities who have said that they are gearing up to get students ready for the more rigorous core standards by beginning pre-GED prep tutoring sessions.  I honestly think the content prep will take care of itself and am more interested to see how the implementation of the computer-based test unfolds in the corrections environment.  It's a great opening for educational software developers such as GED Acedemy and EDUSS (Education Software Systems) to roll out GED CBT specific programs.  Has anybody seen any indication that this is underway?

Hi Heather and all, 

The i-Pathways project will be implemented in the Illinois Department of Corrections beginning in January. I have been meeting with EFAs and teachers accross the state. This is a model of computer based instruction using a nationally recognized program with a rigorous computer based curriculum. This is definitely underway. 

If you would like to learm more about i-Pathways and the DOC model, please let me know.  

 

 

Hi Heather, 

I will absoluly share our experiences with the deployment of i-Pathways. There will be hurdles, I am sure - but we are very ready to meet them head on and offer partnership opportunities to DOC facilities outside of Illinos. Currently, i-Pathways is used in 12 states accross the country.  

 

We implemented GED Computer based testing at our State Penitentiary in Rawlins, WY October 1. There were a few glitches due to the tight time constraints we set for ourselves but the testing went well and both inmates passed their individual tests. The system is relatively easy to set up and there were no IT issues. Our examiner uses a laptop as the adminstrative computer and would be happy to talk to anyone who is struggling with this or needs some IT support.  Our other facilities are getting set up on the IT side and will be implementing the CBT no later that January 1, 2013.  I dont believe inmates need a lot of computer training and the software takes them through a tutorial. Its pretty simple.

The 2014 test will have other issues related to the academic content needed to prepare our inmates but there are trainings coming up that will prepare teachers. CEA and NIC are working together to develop trainers to help train teachers to prepare inmates for the 2014 test.

GED Academy is getting set to add a new module for CBT skills called Computer Essentials for the GED Test. It will be added to our web-based platform first, and then released as an update to our off-line CD-ROM version for corrections.  However, many of our existing lessons utilize practice formats that are being forecasted for the 2014 GED test, like basic keyboarding/word-processing in our dozens of essay prompts and essay editing practice.  The reason being that we built the program to meet standards that exceed the Common Core standards that the new 2014 GED test will be targeting.

Although I believe that GED Academy would serve as the perfect bridge between the 2002 and 2014 GED tests, I think the most important change that adult ed teachers embrace (especially in corrections) is a shift to blended learning that makes effective use of computer-based instruction.

The spread of computer labs for computer-based testing should be a boon to the instruction side, and the integration of a diverse and creative array of computer-based resources. 
--

Jason Guard, MPA Account Manager and GED and Distance Education Specialist GED Academy and Essential Education Direct:(800)390-9307 Fax:(541)230-1171 jason@passged.com Twitter: @jkguard

Hi Betty,

Congratulations on implementing GED-CBT at the State Penitentiary in Rawlins.  Do you have a press release or any other public news item that I could post on our website for spreading the news?

Your neighbor to the North :o)

Dave

I'm not sure if you remember speaking with me at The WiderNet Project as you were launching your Health Ed resources development.  I'm so glad to see that you've completed the project successfully and are rolling it out even as we speak! I'm equally glad to have the chance to interact again with you and others in this wonderful environment.  Good to be back in touch:).

Kathy,

Silimilar to what has been stated in this thread I do not think the issue will be content, rather comfortability with testing. In working with Anne Peters, my county's corrections education coordinator, she felt it would be beneficial to have computers for her students to study the NCRC. I am hesitant to dedicate a full computer for 1 purpose. Preparing correction students for CBT gives me the need to prepare laptops filled with adult education specifics software

About a week ago a post I put out in the Tech Listserve was shared here, and in it I stated, "So now I've been able to purchase 5 refurbished laptops. On the laptops I am loading Steck Vaughn's OPT PC, GED Academy, and WIN software. These laptops will be used in our corrections program to compliment our instructor's classes. Being laptops they will be highly mobile, and we have taken off any communication/internet software. The intent of these computers is to have 5 silos that will help the offenders work towards their educational goals to attain the GED and/or NCRC."

I believe these computers will not only compliment the instructors current methodology but will further allow students to learn independently, prepare them for current testing and, looking to the future, CBT ala GED2014.

i hope this gives a good idea of what Thorn Hill Education Center is doing to prepare the Corrections population in Frankfort, Kentucky for CBT.

 

Barry Burkett,

Assistant Director

 

Hi Jason. I think your comment is exactly right. The field of Correctional Ed is ripe for a technology invasion (finally). The Department of Ed has issued an RFP from education providers promoting blended learning and smoother transitions within the system. In conjunction with this grant opportunity the DOE has also released a Re-Entry Education Model that sets out suggestions for streamlining the re-entry process. I will post links to both in a separate Discussion.