Minnesota’s Professional Development Plan to Prepare for the 2014 GED Test Amy Vickers, Minneapolis Adult Education Astrid Liden, Minnesota Department of Education

Objectives You will:  Learn about the professional development planning process and tools used to prepare Minnesota ABE practitioners for the 2014 GED test  Consider how you might use the MN process and tools in your own contexts  Share 2014 GED professional development plans from your own contexts

ABE PD in MN  ABE PD Specialist at MN Department of Education  State funded professional development providers:  Statewide PD committee ReadingDistance learning ESLDigital literacy MathDisabilities VolunteersAssessment Educational technologyProgram quality

The need  How will we prepare Minnesota teachers for the 2014 GED test?  State funded supplemental services grant to coordinate these efforts

Year 1 Process: July 2012 – June 2013 Convene PD planning groups Create a vision Gather & disseminate information Identify & prioritize PD needs Develop PD & communications plan Deliver targeted PD

STEP 1 Convene PD planning groups

Leadership core 2014 GED Advisory Group Practitioners who…  Have expertise in different content areas  Are involved in a variety of statewide initiatives  Represent different regions of the state  Work in different types of programs Statewide PD Committee  State staff  State funded PD providers

Collaboration GED Teacher Advisory Group Summary Vision Prioritize PD needs Statewide PD Committee PD Plan PD Delivery

DISCUSSION Who should be involved as you prepare professional development for the 2014 GED test?

STEP 2 Create a vision

Vision Minnesota ABE professionals will understand the content domain and format of the 2014 GED® test. We will acquire the strategies, skills, and resources needed to confidently prepare learners to pass the test and equip them with 21st century skills.

STEP 3 Gather and disseminate key information

Summary  Purpose: A manageable common starting point  Began as a summary of the content and format.  Due to Advisory group input, the following pieces were also included  Response to teacher anxiety about the change  Testing and registration logistics  Summary posted on website and shared with field via and webinars

STEP 4 Identify PD needs

PD needs identified through:  Statewide electronic GED teacher survey  Support staff survey at conference  Webinars  Participant response to previous GED presentations  Planning discussions

Identify PD needs: Statewide GED teacher survey design  Classroom type, geographic region  Overall readiness for 2014 GED test  Computer and internet access  Preferred PD delivery methods  2014 test content  Understanding the content  Ability to teach the content

Identify PD needs: Statewide GED teacher survey results  Subject area, classroom type, geographic region  Most taught more than one subject, group and independent instruction settings, all areas of MN well represented  Overall readiness for 2014 GED test  Most GED teachers rated their readiness as 3 or 4, on a scale of  44% 3/5  45% 4/5  Computer and internet access  Most have a lab or a few computers, 80% have internet access  Access is still a major issue in rural areas and very small programs  Preferred PD delivery methods 1.Face to face 2.Online independent 3.Online facilitated

Identify PD needs: Statewide GED teacher survey results Needs around understanding the content  Evaluating an argument  Evidence-based writing  Data analysis  Over half of algebra topics  Several science topics  Economics Needs around ability to teach the content  RLA, Science, Social Studies, Math: somewhat confident  Math  Data analysis and probability  Confidence in teaching algebra varies greatly  Tools and techniques of scientific investigations

Identify PD needs: Other needs that emerged  Computer skills for teachers and students  Appropriate preparation and teaching materials  Teacher groups needing specific attention  Correctional facilities  Part time teachers  Small sites with limited computer access  Multi-level, multi-subject classrooms

PD needs: A broadened scope  Program & student transition to new test  Additional audiences to target  Program administrators  Support staff  Volunteers

DISCUSSION How are you identifying key PD needs for the 2014 GED in your context? What needs assessment tools can you share?

STEP 5 Develop PD and communications plan

PD Plan GED Teacher Advisory Group Summary Vision Prioritize PD needs Statewide PD Committee PD Plan PD Delivery

Plan development process  Joint PD committee / GED teacher advisory group meeting to:  Analyze data  Adapt existing MN PD standards  Develop PD objectives  Brainstorm sample activities within existing PD structure  Ideas were compiled by project coordinator  Working document with ongoing revisions

PD plan outline (highlights) 1.MN ABE PD Standards, revised 2.Areas of greatest need 3.Groups needing specific attention 4.PD Objectives (handout) 5.PD Activities and Timeline 6.Evaluation

Communications  Website  Central location for all PD information & resources  Blog  Share updates and current information via subscription  Maintain statewide conversation around 2014 GED  Provide targeted information & resources for specific needs

STEP 6 Deliver targeted PD

PD delivery maximizing PD structures  Incorporated into upcoming year’s grants to state PD providers  Varied delivery methods  A progression for each content area  Introduction  Content review  Instructional strategies: What can this look like in my classroom?

Example: Mathematical Reasoning  Webinar to introduce module through the lens of the existing numeracy PD initiative (MNI) (March 2013)  Regional “Exploring the Math Module” workshops (Spring 2013)  Math institute content refresher for algebra, geometry, data (May 2013)  ABE Summer Institute (August 2013)  Pre-conference content refresher (formula sheet)  Sessions on instructional strategies (+ follow-up webinars )  Regional instructional strategy workshops + follow-up webinars/study circles (Fall 2013)

Possible year 2 PD activities  Technology mentoring focused on skills needed for GED  Evidence-based writing PD cohort:  Institute I  Facilitated online professional learning community  Institute II, including planning for regional training  Regional training delivered by participants  Social studies and science study circles

DISCUSSION What structures and partnerships exist in your state that can work together to prepare for the 2014 GED test? What PD delivery methods & activities are you using as you prepare for the 2014 GED test?

Thank you!  Astrid Liden   Amy Vickers  