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

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

Reading Distance learning

ESL Digital literacy

Math Disabilities

Volunteers Assessment

Educational technology Program 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 & communication

s plan

Deliver targeted PD

STEP 1

Convene PD planning groups

Leadership core2014 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

SummaryVisionPrioritize PD needs

Statewide PD Committee

PD PlanPD 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 email 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 1 - 5

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 methods1. Face to face

2. Online independent

3. Online facilitated

Identify PD needs: Statewide GED teacher survey resultsNeeds 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

SummaryVisionPrioritize PD needs

Statewide PD Committee

PD PlanPD 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 email

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 [email protected]

Amy Vickers [email protected] http://abe.mpls.k12.mn.us