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Unit 1: What is a GED?

From KNILT

Lesson 1: What is a GED? What does it entail?

Learning Objectives:

  • At the end of this unit, you should be able to
    • Define and explain what a GED Test is/entails and the purpose of it
    • Begin designing their GED informational brochure

1.1 Introduction

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students have either stopped attending high school due to the online-learning of 2020-2021, or were not mentally able to finish school given the world circumstances.

Although there has been a rise in the number of high-school drop outs, there has not been an accurate amount of information in these schools to help students navigate this new decision. Most staff at these high schools, do not provide these struggling students with the proper resources and tools leaving most of them to fend for themselves and forcefully enter the workforce without a high school diploma/GED.

The purpose of this course is to share valuable information about alternative high school options and the process of obtaining a GED (alternative high school diploma).

You can further discover the emphasis the pandemic has had on high-school students and the importance of GED awareness here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/20210608-impacts-of-covid19.pdf

1.2 History of GED

The GED test was originally developed in 1942. Two reasons for the development of the test was (1) a number of American men were being sent to fight in World War II before they could complete their high school education and (2) the number of people leaving school early to join the largely industrial work force.

In 1972, a new series of the test was released because the marketplace now required a broader understanding of academic subjects and required more critical thinking.

In 1988, the addition of a writing sample was added to test. A greater emphasis was placed on socially relevant topics, At this time 65% of students were taken the test to continue their education beyond high school and 30% were taking it to get better employment.

The GED series currently used was last edited in 2002 and is considered to be the most challenging thus far.

https://www.k12academics.com/academic-testing/ged-testing/history#:~:text=The%20GED%20test%20was%20originally,the%20largely%20industrial%20work%20force.

1.3 What is a GED?

What is a GED Test?

  • stands for General Educational Development Test.
  • a series of tests that will indicate whether or not they have a high school level of education.

A GED exam consists of 4 subjects

  1. Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes allocated to this subject/section)
    1. Basic math
    2. Geometry
    3. Basic Algebra
    4. Graphs and Functions
  2. Reasoning Through Language Arts (150 minutes allocated to this subject/section)
    1. Reading for Meaning
    2. Identifying and Creating Arguments
    3. Grammar and Language
  3. Social Studies (70 minutes allocated to this subject/section)
    1. Reading for Meaning in Social Studies
    2. Analyzing Historical Events and Arguments in Social Studies
    3. Using Numbers and Graphs in Social Studies
  4. Science (90 minutes allocated to this subject/section)
    1. Reading for Meaning in Science
    2. Designing and Interpreting Science Experiments
    3. Using Numbers and Graphs in Science

The price of a GED exam varies through states, in NYS it is free at the moment.

The scoring of a GED exam is a 100-200 scale per subject

  1. a 145 score on each subject is a GED PASSING SCORE
  2. a 165-174 score on each subject is a GED COLLEGE READY SCORE
  3. a 175-200 score on each subject is a GED COLLEGE READY + CREDIT

You can receive different scorings on each subject, however the score needs to be at least a 145 or more scoring

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1.4 GED Informational Brochure Creation (pt.1)

  1. I'd like you to design your cover page as followed
    1. Title: GED Informational Pamphlet
    2. Name of School must me present on the front
  2. I'd like you to apply the knowledge learned today on the first page of the pamphlet
    1. GED exam subjects
    2. GED exam price
    3. GED exam scoring

Pleases use the following example as a guide.

1.5 Unit 1 Reflection Task

Now that we have discussed the history of the GED exam, and what the GED exam consists of I'd like you to reflect on the knowledge you had prior to this unit/lesson. For your first reflection task, in a Google Docs file please respond to the following

  • What is one misconception you had about the GED test that was cleared/answered today?
  • How do you think the pamphlet we are creating as a unit will help to start spread the awareness in your school building

Please submit your reflection here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11IO8Wn_MIhGc-d8PWwRzGAqlN9ys0cIuAOWwFCN_NTU/edit

Click here Unit 2: How can I help assist students in obtaining a GED? to navigate to the next unit of course.

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