GED Network Meeting

December 4th, 2009; 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Catholic Charities

Meeting Minutes

In attendance: Geri Anderson-Nielsen (National Center on

Education and the Economy); Alyssa Ballentine (AmeriCorps
Member w/ Catholic Charities); Emily Breines (AmeriCorps
Member w/ Beyond Talent); Celina Chelala (Catholic
Charities); MaryAnn Florez (DC LEARNs); Cara Fuller (Sasha
Bruce Youth Build); Marcia Harrington (Martin Luther King,
Jr. Memorial Library); Diane Harris (Southeast Ministries);
Christina Keen (Washington Literacy Council); Tim McDuffy
((Sasha Bruce Youth Build); Ben Merrion (Martin Luther
King, Jr. Memorial Library); Jessie Stadd (Academy of
Hope); and Christine Thelen (AmeriCorps Member w/ Beyond
Talent).

I. Ben Merrion chaired the meeting and started off with

introductions and general announcements. Diane Harris
shared that three students from Southeast Ministries had
recently passed the GED. Marcia Harrington noted that an
increasing number of students were taking the practice
test at the library. She also mentioned that students
are able to take the practice test at the library on
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

II. Ben then briefly reviewed the minutes from the previous
meeting and distributed the agenda which included the
main topic: Transitioning from GED Programs.

III. Jessie Stadd presented on the Pathways program. She

described it as a typical “bridge” or “transition”
program which helps post-secondary students who are
interested in transitioning to any post-secondary goal
whether it’s college, a training program, or employment.
The program has two main components covering:

Academic requirements (ACCUPLACER) and the College-

readiness requirements. Because there is a big leap from
the GED math and writing to the ACCUPLACER math and
writing emphasis is placed on math and writing classes

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 as well as grammar and technology courses. Individual
tutoring sessions and counseling are also available.

The program provides help with completing college

applications and financial aid forms such as the FAFSA.
It also helps students apply for grants such as the Herb
Block grant.

The program is open to everyone but is a particularly

strong opportunity for EDP graduates who may need
additional assistance with their math and writing
skills.

Once students graduate from the Pathways program the

majority will attend UDC, Montgomery College, and a few
have started classes at Trinity.

There are generally 10 students in each cohort but 7

usually complete the program.

Classes are offered during the day or night; 9:00am –

12:15pm Mondays – Thursdays or 6:30pm – 8:30pm Mondays –
Thursdays.

IV. Emily Breines described a similar program at Beyond

Talent called College Compass. The program is open to 18
– 25 year olds and focuses on math, writing, study
skills, college readiness, student advisement, and
individual tutoring.

The program is taught on the Catholic University campus

which gives students an opportunity to experience life
on a college campus.

Courses are in the morning and the next session begins

at the end of January. Although there is a limit of 15
students per cohort, 5 usually complete the program.

V. Tim McDuffy talked about Sasha Bruce Youth Build. He

described it as a GED/Construction program that is open
to 18 – 24 year-olds. Students must have at least a 6th
grade reading level to be accepted and the TABE is used
as the initial assessment tool.

50% of the work is academic (the practice test is

offered once a month) and 50% is construction. The

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 students receive a stipend for their participation and
also an OSHA Certification upon program completion.

When asked about the gender break down, Tim mentioned

that they generally receive 200 applications of which 30
are accepted and five of these are women.

Enrollment occurs twice a year in September and March.

VI. Jessie mentioned that First Time Computers will give

away a free lap top to an adult learner if they are
accepted into college or are currently enrolled in
college.

VII. Ben then opened the discussion on the best ways of

organizing for the GED
Network. We talked about a Wiki-based model organized by
usable topics like a Wiki that David Rosen has created.
He also described Google Wave and offered to have anyone
interested in trying it to email him about being invited
to join.

VIII. MaryAnn raised the option of having the site be

public but “read only” and restrict access to the GED
Network for adding material. Everyone seemed to agree
that this would be a good idea. She also documented the
comments from the GED group about what they would like
to have in any tool or platform we use to connect
outside the group:

• It should be organized by useful topics

• Access to view the site would be open to anyone inside
or outside the
networking group
• Administrative privileges (ability to post or revise
documents, add
people to the group with these privileges, etc. would
be restricted to
members of the group
• It should be able to create and store documents and
information
• It should be able to share links to useful web sites
• It should be able to add to or revise documents that
have been posted
• It should be able to use chat or exchange messages

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 • It shouldn’t be too complicated because a lot of
people identify
themselves as not being tech savvy!

• Question: Do we need to have both synchronous and

asynchronous options
for communicating (e.g., a chat would be synchronous
because the exchange
of information happens in real time, at the same time;
an email function
would be asynchronous because people could post but
responses could come
in at any time)

IX. Ben offered to invite Kenn Pendleton of the GED Testing

Center to talk to the group about GED 20/20.

X. MaryAnn offered to bring the Adult Education Professional

Development Center (AEPDC) workshop list to the next
meeting.

XI. Jessie will be chairing the next meeting on Friday,

January 8th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Catholic Charities.