Another Option: Competency-Based High School Diploma for Adults
    Author: Annamary Fitzgerald, Stephen Sadlier
    Subject Area: Career Pathways
    Material Type: Presentations/Slideshows
    Language: English
    License: (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) For license summary click here

    Abstract:

    Many adults who leave high school before graduation go on to lead productive lives through grit and gumption. Some opt to return to our community college to complete their diploma. In addition to the GED® credential, our school offers a competency-based high school diploma program called High School 21+ (HS21+). The HS21+ option allows students to re-enter school with a proficiency focus that incorporates high school credits already earned, documented work and life experience related to high school academics, and technological, literacy, and cognitive skills demonstrations within the classroom. We provide an emergent learning space for achievement and completion that maximizes prior learning success. This session demonstrates competency-based college and career readiness that, through effective interaction and technology-intensive rigor, scaffolds high school completion with workplace and college readiness.
    Have Fun and Build Retention with Kahoot! Quizzes for GED®-HSE Math, Science, and Writing as well as ESL Writing
    Author: Susan Bernard
    Material Type: App, Games
    Language: English
    License: (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) For license summary click here

    Abstract:

    Do you get frustrated with students using their cell phones in class? Turn that problem into a possibility! Students come alive as they work in teams with student team leaders using their cell phones as game controllers. I’ve never had more fun in class than when doing these Kahoot! quizzes, and the students love them! It’s a great way to get students to interact with each other and to review. As a teacher, you can see how well the students are learning. These quizzes are designed to correlate with the “I’m Not Afraid . . . Anymore!” curriculum for GED®-HSE Math and Writing, and ESL Writing, but they can be used with, or modified for, other curriculum. Come Kahoot! with us in this presentation and join the fun.
    Changing Lives-One GED or High School Diploma at a Time
    Author: Cleo Griswould
    Subject Area: Blended Learning
    Material Type: Presentations/Slideshows
    Language: English
    License: (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) For license summary click here

    Abstract:

    Georgia Department of Corrections provides various resources to assist students in earning their GED and reaching their highest potentials
    Crossing Borders: Using Cross-Content Project-Based Curriculum to Meet Students’ HSE Needs
    Author: Heather Indelicato, Mary Conlon, Stephanie Sommers
    Language: English
    License: (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) For license summary click here

    Abstract:

    With the introduction of the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS), the changes to the High School Equivalency (HSE) exams, and the increases in employer expectations, students' needs are changing, but it's not realistic to offer separate curriculum for each individual's unique needs. Nor is it possible to build an entirely different program for each pathway (HSE, college-prep, job-training, etc). However, through project-based learning, more of those needs can be met more consistently and more realistically. Through this arrangement, learners gain not only experience and demonstrate a higher level of learning and application, but also create useful cumulative projects, that even have potential to be used in the real world. In this workshop, practitioners who are in the trenches- will dug  into some integrated, project-based curriculum developed by teachers who are in the thick of things.-  Participants explored a cross-content unit plan addressing language arts (reading, writing, and listening/speaking) and social studies content. The unit plans are designed to address the CCRS to meet the needs of HSE students. Strategies for multi-level and drop-in settings were discussed. Practitioners were  also guided/supported in developing additional and/or adapting teaching plans that are specific to their students' needs and share developed plans with other practitioners. ATTACHMENTS: Cross Content Unit Planning Notes Example Combined Resource Social Studies Unit Example Combined Resource Social Studies Unit Instructional Strategy Resources Unit 1 Weekly Overview COABE Pre Conference Crossing Borders
    Bigger, Better Writing: Using Rubrics & Samples to Improve Scores & Instruction
    Author: Dr. Carmine Stewart, Meagen Farrell
    Subject Area: Writing
    Material Type: Presentations/Slideshows
    Language: English
    License: (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) For license summary click here

    Abstract:

    No matter what you are teaching, we have a writing sample for you! Learn how to use rubrics to help your GED, TASC, HiSET, ABE and ESOL students improve their writing skills and scores. Two members of the Essential Education design team will explain the process we use to develop our proprietary rubrics. Participants will break into small groups to practice using a rubric to grade writing samples. Everyone will leave with useful strategies and free teaching tools. Identify the skills your students need to become excellent writers and meet their educational goals! ATTACHMENTS: BiggerBetterWriting COABE2016
    Modeling Test-taking Strategies
    Author: Ed Pirie
    Material Type: Video
    Language: English
    License: (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) For license summary click here

    Abstract:

    A short, free, authentic math professional development video for teachers in which an adult educator demonstrates to a High School Completion Program student some important test taking strategies. He thinks his way through a question, sorts through and deals with the parts of the question, revisits the question's information as he needs to, and pieces it back together. He comes up with a solution that he is confident in. He models his problem solving process out loud, he says, so that students can see how it works, so they can do it themselves, so they become independent learners The video will be found at this web address: http://www.mlots.org/?page_id=83
    Upping the Rigor, Vertically Aligning the Curriculum from ESL to ASE (PPT accompanying materials)

    Abstract:

    Upping the Rigor: Vertically Aligning the Curriculum from ESL to ASE   Presentation Abstract (500 word maximum): This description will be included in the program)   In 2015, we presented our overall ABE/ASE program to a packed room. Our COABE title was SOAR: Upping the Game of Academic Rigor in ABE and ASE,- and we detailed our massive structural, policy and curricular shifts. This was a macro presentation about revamp our ABE and ASE program (independent study to direct instruction and little student services to full-time counseling, field trips, and more). Our student enrollment and number of graduates has more than doubled as a result of our changes; similarly, we have had large increases in student persistence and completion levels. The next step in our work has been in the area of curriculum alignment. Specifically, we have expanded our goal and are now deeply involved in vertically aligning the curriculum from beginning ESL through ABE/ASE.   This curriculum alignment anchors each class level and accompanying common assessments to the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) and the Common Core Standards.   Specifically we will share the following: Scaffolded activities, curriculum (including texts), and assessments that align the breadth and depth of the CCRSs; Layered assessments (within and between levels) that build to the final assessment rubric developed within the California State University System; Lesson plans that demonstrate what rigor looks like and sounds like in the classroom whether via a Shakespearean play; philosophical texts on logos, ethos and pathos; or written appeals to the United Nations about Syrian refugees. Our model of how teamwork, staff development, administrative support, curriculum planning and grading pay became part of our system of success. ATTACHMENTS: HANDOUT RIGOR COABE 2016 1 CCR and Success Organizer paper may 2014 IMG_0274 1 COABE Rigor 2016 Kickoff Slides
    Diagnostic Data – Knowing When Students Are Prepared to Pass Their HSE Assessments
    Author: Dan Griffith
    Subject Area: Other
    Material Type: Video, Webinar Materials
    Language: English
    License: (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) For license summary click here

    Abstract:

    Do you know when your students are prepared for their HSE Test? Since the new tests have come on board educators have been trying to get a "feel" for when students are ready. By taking a close look at data and using tools and analysis skills to sort it all out, teachers can find reliable ways to develop instructional pathways for students that lead to success. Teachers will not only know when students are prepared, but they will know how to get students to that point in specific ways as they focus on data collection and analysis. Data analysis skills and techniques specific to teaching will be covered.     Video