minnesota’s professional development plan to prepare for the 2014 ged test amy vickers,...
TRANSCRIPT
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?