California Educator

September 2014

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P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y S C O T T B U S C H M A N Learning the Hayward Center for Career and Education. While many of his students speak English, they have an easier time being taught and tested in Spanish. "We don't have the correct r e a d i n g m a t e r i a l r i g h t n o w. E v e r y b o d y k n e w t h i s w a s coming, but the books are not ready. I don't have one single book in Spanish for the GED, a l t h o u g h b o o k s a re go i n g t o be translated." T h e H a y w a r d E d u c a t i o n Association member is excited about the new test, which he believes will challenge students in a good way. He believes that the GED program is the "best shot" for most of his Hayward students to break the cycle of poverty. But he's noticed a lower pass rate with the new test, and worries some of his students may become discouraged. He hopes the testing company will tweak the exam, such as adding 20 minutes to the math and science portions s o s t u d e n t s d o n ' t r u n o u t o f time and leave questions unan- swered. The minutes for the math portion have been upped since the rollout, but Aguila has told the testing company more time is necessary. Liliana Plascencia failed the social studies section of the test by just four points and believes it was due to the time factor. The mother of two was devastated. " I w i l l t a ke t h e t e s t u n t i l I p a s s ," v o w s t h e H a y w a r d Adult School student. "I want to work in a preschool. I want to study early childhood at a community college. I want to achieve my dreams." "My students are from the Hispanic community and working adults who don't have time to go to high school," says Fredy Del Aguila, with Rocio Gomez. "For them, this is the best pathway to a better life." 43 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 2 To Learn More 818.677.3332 tsengcollege.csun.edu/tesl Earn your Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language from California State University, Northridge and make a difference in someone's future. Teach English in the U.S. and Abroad! 100% ONLINE TESL Accelerated program DESIGNED FOR THE BUSY ADULT LEARNER To Learn More 818.677.3332 tsengcollege.csun.edu/tesl Earn your Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language from California State University, Northridge and make a difference in someone's future. Teach English in the U.S. and Abroad! 100% ONLINE TESL Accelerated program DESIGNED FOR THE BUSY ADULT LEARNER To Learn More 818.677.3332 tsengcollege.csun.edu/tesl Earn your Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language from California State University, Northridge and make a difference in someone's future. Teach English in the U.S. and Abroad! 100% ONLINE TESL Accelerated program DESIGNED FOR THE BUSY ADULT LEARNER

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