(100Hours/10CEU’s) This certificate program provides current and future adult educators with an overview of best instruc-tional practices, a firm foundation in the Common Core State Standards for K-12 education which will form the basis of the new High School Equivalency (HSE) exam, and an overview of the state policies guiding the transition from the current GED.

Format: Participants attend 36 hours of on-site classes, in addition to 90 hours of study and reflection online as part of a professional community of practice.

GED Prep Certificate Modules

UNIT 1: Introduction and Orientation

This unit introduces participants to: program objectives and expectations; an overview of the GED’s past, present and future; the Common Core State Standards (CCSS); and the online learning forum, Moodle.

UNIT 2: A Focus on Writing

The essay portion of the current writing test tends to be very challenging for GED test takers. Learn effective evi-dence-based approaches to instruction and lesson planning that will help learners become more efficient, organized and confident when writing expository essays for the cur-rent GED test. The workshop will focus on Common Core Writing Standards and preparation for teaching students to respond to Document Based Questions in analytical essays that employ reasoning and evidence.

UNIT 3: A Focus on Reading

Learn evidence-based teaching strategies designed to foster a lifelong love of reading and success on the current GED and future HSE assessments. Special attention will be paid to the Common Core Reading Standards, with a focus on a transition from an emphasis on literature to complex infor-mational texts, evaluation of specific arguments or claims in a text and analysis of multiple texts.

UNIT 4: Social Studies Prep

Learn the essentials of contextualized lesson planning and how to take an interdisciplinary approach to lesson design for Social Studies. We will focus on using primary and secondary documents, answering Document Based Ques-tions and the importance of statistical analysis during this unit. Special attention will be paid to the reading and writing Common Core Standards for Literacy in History and Social Studies.

UNIT 5: Science Prep

We will continue our focus on contextualized lesson panning and how to take an interdisciplinary approach for Science instruction. We will focus on integrating writing activities into Science instruction during this unit. Special attention will be paid to the reading and writing Common Core Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects.

UNIT 6: Math Mastery

Day 1: Math is often the most intimidating and difficult topic for GED teachers because many GED teachers lack formal math training. During this workshop participants will be repositioned as learners. Instruction will focus on helping teachers master several Common Core aligned mathematical concepts that are also essential to student success on the current GED.

Day 2: The math test is historically one of the most difficult GED tests for our learners. This workshop will resume the focus on evidence-based instructional strategies that will promote students’ mathematical efficacy. Learn strate-gies designed to address math and test taking anxiety, test taking strategies for the math test, and evidence-based teaching strategies that will promote student achievement. Special attention will be paid to a deep study of the Com-mon Core Standards for Mathematics.

UNIT 7: Program Completion

During this final workshop, participants will present and submit their portfolios. They will also share instructional activities, reflections and resources they have created or

accumulated over the course of the program.

Online Learning All LAC Academy Certificate programs are blended models, incorporating both on-site and online learning environ-ments. Incorporated into each certificate are tutorials and support to make sure students have the tools they need to

succeed in the online portion of our certificate programs.

For More Information LAC Academy fee-based certificate offerings vary by season. Please visit www.lacnyc.org/lacacademy for current certifi-cate offerings, tuition, and application deadline information.

To Apply: An application is required to be admitted to all programs. To apply, please visit the LAC Academy website for more information and to download the application.

For LAC Academy inquiries, Please contact the Dean: Marilyn J. Rymniak: marilynr@lacnyc.org or 212-803-3322

This rigorous program provides future as well as current

adult educators with an overview of best practices for GED

and other High School Equivalency test instruction, a firm

foundation in the newly-adopted Common Core State

Standards for K-12 which will form the basis of the new

High School Equivalency exam, and an overview of the

anticipated changes to the GED in 2014.

This program serves as an initial qualification for any

individual or program:

n considering a career in or currently teaching GED

preparation classes to adults or at-risk youths

n offering staff or professional development to

adults in the fields of workplace training, in-house

corporate and computer training, vocational reha-

bilitation, union trade, craft and business training,

healthcare industry staff development or propri-

etary non-degree adult school education

n interested in developing a continuing

specialization in the teaching of adults

“ I found this course to be invaluable – not only in preparing me for the demands of this transition, but also giving me many important resources to expand my skills and knowledge base regarding the new technological, informa-tional and procedural standards being tested. Recognizing the need to have a standardized approach to the new test helps me as a teacher immensely, and seeing an emerging communi-ty of teachers sharing these goals and practices greatly elevates my ability to succeed. This pro-gram enabled me to create a practical approach with relevant tools and support, and provided an important support community.”

Lisa Diomande, Cohort 2

GED Instructor, Harlem Y Literacy Zone

The LAC Academy offers fee-based professional certificate programs to develop current and future adult educators. All LAC

Academy certificate programs can make a difference in your career and life by providing you with:

Core knowledge necessary to be an effective adult educator n Opportunities to share ideas, experiences and networks with peers n An opportunity to try out new strategies and methods with immediate feedback n A valuable credential from a reputable

leader in adult education.

Certificate Program Description

“ I would describe the program as a comprehen-sive, hands-on course that balances theory and practice in such a way that adult educators – who range from novices to seasoned pros – will come away with a wealth of useful information, new ideas, and new perspectives on high school equivalency instruction. As a participant, I feel that the modules served to reinforce some ideas I held previously, but more importantly, many became catalysts for bursts of creative planning on my part. After the course, I revamped and/or discarded many of my older lessons in favor of ideas I had or was given during the course – my teaching practice was invigorated because I was no longer bored with the same lessons I had been teaching for years, which in turn has invigorated my classes.”

Elena Pearson, Cohort 1

GED Coordinator, The Hetrick-Martin Institute

LITERACY ASSISTANCE CENTER Preparing Adults for the GED and Other High School Equivalency Exams Using the Common Core State Standards

LAC Academy Certificate Program▲

Join us on... @thelacnyc

Come visit us in New York City.

Since 1983, the LAC has been working to expand and

strengthen the Adult Basic Education, English for

Speakers of Other Languages, and High School

Equivalency programs that serve New York’s most

educationally disadvantaged and economically

marginalized adults. Our staff has spent years in the

field witnessing the power of adult literacy education

to transform lives. Our expertise includes programming

and curriculum design in health literacy, family literacy,

civics education, digital literacy, and the incorporation

of language and basic skills development into

occupational education courses.

Recognized as a national leader in adult education,

the LAC provides a variety of fee-based services in

addition to its Academy Certificate Programs:

n Custom-designed, contextualized workplace and

special-target curricula for ESOL, ABE, HSE, and

occupational training programs, as well as

assistance preparing materials and publications

n Data services, including customized data system

design, professional development on managing

and analyzing data, and consulting in using data

to guide programmatic decision-making

n Educational consulting to improve the

overall quality of program offerings or to

help organizations develop new adult

education programs

n On-site, customized LAC certificate programs

and staff development workshops

39 Broadway, Suite 1250 New York NY 10006

212-803-3300www.lacnyc.org

For more information about the Literacy Assistance Center, please visit our website at www.lacnyc.org or call us at 212-803-3300.

Literacy Assistance Center