New High School Equivalency Assessment Launched
CTB/McGraw-Hill, the nation's leading provider of assessments for the adult education market, formally introduced the Test Assessing Secondary Completion™ (TASC™) 
, a Common Core-aligned high school equivalency assessment targeted to the more than 40 million adults in the U.S. without a high school degree or equivalency.
"CTB's launch of the TASC™ addresses the interest of many states in a new, affordable high school equivalency assessment that is widely accessible to adult learners and provides options for how the exam is administered," CTB/McGraw-Hill said in a media release. "The TASC™, which will be available as a paper-and-pencil exam as well as online, will provide flexibility for test takers and allow states to phase in computer-based testing at a pace that meets their students' needs."
California Department of Education will be holding public hearings on changes to equivalency test regulations on Tuesday, May 14.
OTAC and TIMAC Applications Now Open
OTAN's two popular academies are opening their doors to teacher candidates for 10 spots each for the 2013-14 school year. These year-long professional development projects support adult education agency efforts to implement the effective use of technology and online instructional delivery with the goal of improving student learning outcomes.
The Online Teaching Academy (OTAC) was initiated in 2010 to meet the growing need for professional development to implement online and blended instruction. Participant projects can include complete stand-alone courses, supplemental materials to support classroom instruction or support for an existing online curriculum such as GED Connection or USA Learns. Participants learn how to use Moodle, an online learning management system, as a platform for content delivery. They are also introduced to effective practices in online teaching and learning. Read more about OTAC application process and apply by June 30, 2013.
The Technology Integration Mentor Academy (TIMAC) is entering its ninth year and continues to focus on integrating technology into classroom instruction. Popular topics this year were increased effective use of interactive whiteboards and document cameras, and using software effectively, whether computer- or internet-based. TIMAC participants have also been creating Web-based resources such as Web sites, wikis, blogs, and social networks to extend learning beyond the classroom. We encourage you to read more about TIMAC requirements and apply online by June 30, 2013.
Nominate Your Successful Students for the Student Succeed Award
It is not too late to nominate a successful student from your adult education program. Celebrate your student's achievements and your program's success by nominating one your students. Read the following information and visit the California Adult Education Students Succeed project. All nominations will be considered.
The California Adult Education Students Succeed project 
recognizes former adult education students who have completed their courses and met some or many of their life goals. The Web site offers the stories and photos of 188 former adult learners from 96 different adult education agencies who have success stories to tell. Many of these stories are accompanied by short videos telling the story with interviews from the former student, their teachers and administrators, family members, and others.
Nominations of outstanding students is ongoing and may be submitted online
by any California adult education agency. All nominations are reviewed for completeness and how closely they address the criteria stated on the nomination form.
Former adult education students who have significant life responsibilities and have contributed to the community are eligible for nomination. They must have established and met life goals as a result of completing an adult education program, and improved their own life situation or the life of others while overcoming difficult circumstances to pursue adult learning.
Students whose nominations are accepted will be featured on the Adult Education Students Succeed Web site
maintained by the Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN). The nominee's page will have their success story and photo along with information about the adult education agencies that nominated them. They will also receive a plaque which many agencies choose to award to the successful student at a school board meeting or other function or ceremony. Selected students may have a video made which will be available on the Web site and may be highlighted at conferences throughout California and distributed to local, regional, and state officials.
If you have any questions about your nomination, call OTAN at (800) 894-3113 for help.
In this issue
Calendar
Find and register for training throughout California and conferences throughout the USA at the California Adult Education and Professional Development Web site 
.
The workshops listed below are subject to change.
Online Workshops
Moodle v2: Customizing Your Course and Grade Book
with Blair Roy
May 15, 2013 – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Moodle v2: Using the Lesson Activity
with Blair Roy
May 22, 2013 – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Teaching Critical Thinking for the Internet
with Branka Marceta
May 29, 2013 – 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Plus more than 30 additional Online Workshops
are scheduled for June 17-28. See them all and register at the California Adult Education and Professional Development Web site .
Face-to-Face Workshops
To schedule a workshop for the 2012-13 school year contact Linda Swanson at 800-894-3113 or lswanson@otan.us.
Online Documents & Tools - Create and Share on the Cloud!
May 17, 2013 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Petaluma Adult Learning Center
Mobile Devices in Adult Education Part II
May 31, 2013 – 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Torrance Adult School - Griffith Adult Education Center
Online Documents - Create and Share on the Cloud! Series II
Aug. 22, 2013 – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Petaluma Adult Learning Center
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