GHCC’s Adult Learning Center leads GED Test Training

To teach Baltimore City literacy providers, community programs, and city residents about the upcoming changes to the GED Test, state agencies chose our very own Jo Ann McKinney to dispel rumors about the test and educate Baltimore City on the facts.

Jo Ann will be hosting one three-part training session on Saturday, October 5th at the Greater Homewood Community Corporation office. She will discuss in detail the changes to the GED test beginning in January 2014. Some of these changes include:

• Computer-based test, written test option will no longer be available
• 4 content areas instead of 5
• More rigorous content- especially surrounding career and college readiness skills
• Current scores expire, scores from before 2014 will not carry forward
• Reading and interpreting multiple texts – e.g. a text passage and a graphic

As the Intake and Assessment Specialist for the GHCC Adult Learning Center, Jo Ann knows firsthand how these changes will affect literacy program participants. By becoming a computer-based test, this will force potential GED test takers to gain the requisite computer skills needed to feel comfortable with the tasks they have to complete on the test. The Center has been preparing for this change by providing basic and intermediate computer classes each term for learners.

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR), the Division of Workforce Development (DWD), and Adult Learning-Adult Education and Literacy Services (ALAELS) provided the initial training for Jo Ann and city contacts like her. They presented information and strategies to manage the quick-approaching changes.

Anyone interested in attending must contact Jo Ann at jmckinney@strongcitybaltimore.org before Friday, September 27 at 3pm. The training is free for DLLR, DWD, or ALAELS funded programs and individuals. The cost for individuals and programs that are not state funded is $150 and $450, respectively.