1. Ready for 2014: GED Professional Development in Minnesota Amy Vickers, Minneapolis Adult Education Astrid Liden, Minnesota Department of Education

2. Objectives for today Explore the guiding principles of the MN GED 2014 PD initiative as an effective PD model Apply principles from the MN GED PD experience to inform your approach to large- scale PD challenges in your own contexts Access resources/tools developed through MN GED PD work

3. So…who stays for the last session of the conference? Which high school equivalency exam(s) is/are being used in your state? What are your challenges in preparing and delivering PD for your states test(s)?

4. Our challenge 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 21 st century skills.

5. ABE in Minnesota Large state with significant distances between programs in rural areas More than 500 delivery sites Over 1,100 teachers, 170 paraprofessionals,180 administrators, and 2,400 trained volunteers Majority of ABE programs are required to use K-12 licensed teachers or teachers with a college degree in ESL About 75% of paid instructors are part-time

6. ABE PD in MN ABE PD Specialist at MN Department of Education Eight state-funded professional development providers Statewide PD committee Recent move to centralized coordination of regional PD

7. Minnesota ABEs Related PD Priorities Anticipating the integration of College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education Prioritizing technology-based PD as a strategy for reaching ALL practitioners. Statewide webinar tool Collaborative identification of best practices and development of resources Cultivating more practitioner presenters and leaders

8. Minnesotas 2014 GED PD Initiative Limited GED-focused PD in recent years Proactive approach to change in GED test ABE grant funded GED PD project established in July 2012 Grant awarded to large ABE program with a designated project coordinator Goal of maximizing existing PD structures and resources

9. 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

10. Year 2 Process: July 2013 – June 2014 Analyze Data Identify PD Needs & Priorities Plan PD Activities Deliver PD Evaluate PD

11. Guiding principles 1.Follow a data-driven planning cycle 2.Work collaboratively 3.Develop practitioner leaders 4.Use varied delivery modes 5.Find new ways to utilize technology 6.Take a long-term broad perspective

12. 1. Follow a data-driven planning cycle Use a variety of data sources Involve stakeholders Set clear objectives & prioritize Be responsive

13. DISCUSSION What data are you using to identify needs? What potential game changers are on the horizon?

14. 2. Work collaboratively Maximize existing PD structures and expertise Develop diverse planning teams Shared responsibility and excitement Innovations are shared & advance the field

15. 2014 GED Advisory Group example 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 Practitioners who…

16. 3. Develop practitioner leaders Problem: ongoing need for effective PD presenters Solution: Develop local leaders in varied contexts --------------------------------------- Builds buy-in and sustainability Keeps PD grounded in reality of the classroom Fosters a culture of reflection and professionalism

17. GED Writing Cohort example Full-day institute led by national expert + ½ day cohort meeting 3 monthly webinars led by national expert Online professional learning community facilitated by local teacher leader Full-day training incorporating … Best practices in effective workshop facilitation Guided workshop development with local PD leaders Cohort participants lead workshops at regional and statewide PD events

18. DISCUSSION How are you developing practitioner leaders? How could you build in more opportunities for leadership?

19. 4. Use varied delivery modes Consider the audience and the purpose. How can impact be maximized and barriers be minimized? Vary the scale F2F, remote, or hybrid Short-term or long term Self-accessed or facilitated

20. Mathematical Reasoning example 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 Regional instructional strategy workshops (Fall 2013) E-quip math webinars (Fall 2013)

21. Tools and resources Centralized info on website: www.2014inMN.org www.2014inMN.org FAQ on website and distributed at PD events Program planning tools and activities for administrators and support staff Digital literacy resources

22. 5. Find new ways to utilize technology Leads to creative and innovative thinking Possible to reach a wider audience Engages tech-oriented practitioners & those who want to develop technology skills. Culture of digital literacy will be shared with learners

23. E-quip Math PD Series example Topics to date: 1. Exploring the Tools of the Computer-based Testing Environment 2.Connecting and Interpreting Graphs and Functions 3.Connecting Coordinates, Lines, and Equations 4.Solving Quadratic Equations 5.Finding Surface Area and Its Related Dimensions Archived at: www.2014inMN.orgwww.2014inMN.org

24. E-quip Math Webinar Model Part I: Do I have the background knowledge needed to get the most out of this webinar? PRE-webinar Preparation Part III: Modeling Instruction (30 minutes) Part V: What could this look like in my context? POST-webinar Follow-Up Part II: Building a Foundation (10 minutes) Part IV: Reflecting on the Experience (10 minutes)

25. GED Ready Reflection Webinars example 1 hour webinar on each of the GED Ready sub- tests Conversation between host, guest expert and participants, guided by reflection questions that were available in advance Encouraged a statewide discussion Modeled a conversation that could happen locally

26. DISCUSSION What strategies are you using to reach your practitioners?

27. 6. Take a long-term broad perspective Invest in a foundation Long-term vision should inform decisions GED PD served both as a catalyst to move us forward & an area to pilot emerging ideas

28. Instructional shifts example We are already on the path to incorporating CCRS As practitioners, we have developed a shared language around current research-based instructional practices Digital literacy is actively integrated into instruction

29. Resources available at www.2014inMN.org MN ABE 2014 GED planning process & PD plan MN 2014 GED PD survey One page FAQ about new GED test One page summary of instructional shifts Program planning tools and activities for administrators and support staff Recorded E-quip episodes Recorded webinars Digital literacy resources

30. Thank you! Astrid Liden Astrid.liden@state.mn.us Amy Vickers Amy.Vickers@mpls.k12.mn.us www.2014inMN.org