Comparable Worth Compared to Equal Pay

Comparable Worth Compared to Equal Pay Comparable worth is shorthand for equal pay for work of equal value or equal pay for work of comparable worth. The doctrine of comparable worth is an attempt to remedy the inequities of pay which result from a long history of sex-segregated jobs and different pay scales for female and male jobs. Market rates, in this view, reflect past discriminatory practices, and cannot be the only basis of deciding current pay equity. Comparable worth looks at the skills and responsibilities of different jobs and attempts to correlate compensation to those skills and responsibilities. Comparable worth systems seek to fairly compensate jobs held primarily by women or by men more equitably by comparing the educational and skill requirements, task activities, and responsibility in different jobs, and attempting to compensate each job in relation to such factors rather than by the traditional pay history of the jobs. Equal Pay vs. Comparable Worth The Equal Pay Act of 1973  and many court decisions on pay equity revolve around the requirement that  the work being compared be equal work.  This approach to equity assumes that there are men and women in the job category and that they should not be paid differently for doing the same work. What happens when jobs are distributed differently, where there are different jobs, some held traditionally by mostly men and some held traditionally by mostly women?  How does equal pay for equal work apply? The effect of the ghettos of male and female jobs is that often, the male jobs were traditionally compensated more highly in part because they were held by men, and the female jobs were compensated less well in part because they were held by women. The comparable value approach then moves to looking at the work itself: What skills are required? How much training and education? What level of responsibility is involved? Example Traditionally, the job of a licensed practical nurse has been held mostly by women, and the job of a licensed electrician mostly by men.  If the skills and responsibilities and required training levels are found to be relatively equal, then a compensation system involving both jobs would adjust compensation to bring the LPNs pay into line with the electricians pay. A common example in a large organization, like state employees, might be outdoor lawn maintenance compared to nursery school aides.  The former has traditionally been done more by men and the latter by women.  The level of responsibility and education required is higher for the nursery school aides, and lifting small children may be similar to lifting requirements for those maintaining the lawn who lift bags of soil and other materials. Yet traditionally, the nursery school aides were paid less than the lawn maintenance crew, probably because of the historical connections of the jobs with men (once assumed to be breadwinners) and women (once assumed to be earning pin money).  Is the responsibility for a lawn of more value than the responsibility for the education and welfare of small children? The Effect of Comparable Worth Adjustments By using more objective standards applied to otherwise-different jobs, the effect is usually to increase pay to the jobs where women dominate in numbers. Often, the effect is also to equalize pay across racial lines as well, where jobs had been distributed differently by race. In most actual implementations of comparable worth, the pay of the lower-paid group is adjusted upwards, and the pay of the higher-paid group is allowed to grow more slowly than it would have without the comparable worth system in place.  It is not common practice in such implementations for the higher-paid group to have their wages or salaries cut from current levels. Where Comparable Worth Is Used Most comparable worth agreements have been the result of labor union negotiations or other agreements  and are more likely to be in the public sector than the private sector. The approach lends itself better to large organizations, whether public or private and has little effect on such jobs as domestic workers, where few people work in each workplace. The union AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) has been particularly active in winning comparable worth agreements. Opponents of comparable worth generally argue for the difficulty of judging true worth of a job, and for allowing the market forces to balance a variety of social values. Bibliography Linda M. Blum. Between Feminism and Labor: The Significance of the Comparable Worth Movement. 1991.Sara M. Evans, Barbara N. Nelson. Wage Justice: Comparable Worth and the Paradox of Technocratic Reform. 1989, 1991.Joan Acker. Doing Comparable Worth: Gender, Class, and Pay Equity. 1989, 1991.Helen Remick. Comparable Worth and Wage Discrimination. 1984, 1985.

Biography of Adolf Hitler, Leader of the Third Reich

Biography of Adolf Hitler, Leader of the Third Reich Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) was the leader of Germany during the Third Reich (1933–1945). He was the primary instigator of both the Second World War in Europe and the mass execution of millions of people deemed to be enemies, or inferior to the Aryan ideal. He rose from being a talentless painter to the dictator of Germany and, for a few months, emperor of much of Europe. His empire was crushed by an array of the worlds strongest nations; he killed himself before he could be tried and brought to justice. Fast Facts: Adolf Hitler Known For: Leading the German Nazi party and instigating World War IIBorn: April 20, 1889 in Braunau am Inn, AustriaParents: Alois Hitler and Klara PoelzlDied: April 30, 1945 in Berlin, GermanyEducation: Realschule in SteyrPublished Works: Mein KampfSpouse: Eva BraunNotable Quote: In starting and waging a war it is not right that matters but victory. Early Life Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria, on April 20, 1889 to Alois Hitler (who, as an illegitimate child, had previously used his mother’s name of Schickelgruber) and Klara Poelzl. A moody child, he grew hostile towards his father, especially once the latter had retired and the family had moved to the outskirts of Linz. Alois died in 1903 but left money to take care of the family. Adolf was close to his mother, who was highly indulgent of him, and he was deeply affected when she died in 1907. He left school at age 16 in 1905, intending to become a painter. Unfortunately for him, he wasnt a very good one. Vienna Hitler went to Vienna in 1907 where he applied to the Viennese Academy of Fine Arts but was twice turned down. This experience further embittered the increasingly angry Hitler. He returned to Vienna again when his mother died, living first with a more successful friend (Kubizek) and then moving from hostel to hostel as a lonely, vagabond figure. He recovered to make a living selling his art cheaply as a resident in a community Mens Home. During this period, Hitler appears to have developed the worldview that would characterize his whole life, and which centered on hatred for Jews and Marxists. Hitler was well-placed to be influenced by the demagogy of Karl Lueger, Vienna’s deeply anti-Semitic mayor and a man who used hate to help create a party of mass support. Hitler had previously been influenced by Schonerer, an Austrian politician against liberals, socialists, Catholics, and Jews. Vienna was also highly anti-Semitic; Hitlers hate was not unusual, it was simply part of the popular mindset. What Hitler went on to do was present these ideas more successfully than ever before. The First World War Hitler moved to Munich in 1913 and avoided Austrian military service in early 1914 by virtue of being unfit for service. However, when the First World War broke out in 1914, he joined the 16th Bavarian Infantry Regiment, serving throughout the war, mostly as a corporal after refusing promotion. He proved to be an able and brave soldier as a dispatch runner, winning the Iron Cross on two occasions (First and Second Class). He was also wounded twice, and four weeks before the war ended he suffered a gas attack that temporarily blinded and hospitalized him. It was there he learned of Germany’s surrender, which he took as a betrayal. He especially hated the Treaty of Versailles, which Germany had to sign after the war as part of the settlement. Hitler Enters Politics After WWI, Hitler became convinced he was destined to help Germany, but his first move was to stay in the army for as long as possible because it paid wages, and to do so, he went along with the socialists now in charge of Germany. He was soon able to turn the tables and drew the attention of army anti-socialists, who were setting up anti-revolutionary units. In 1919, working for an army unit, he was assigned to spy on a political party of roughly 40 idealists called the German Workers Party. Instead, he joined it, swiftly rose to a position of dominance (he was chairman by 1921), and renamed it the Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP). He gave the party the Swastika as a symbol and organized a personal army of storm troopers (the SA or Brownshirts) and bodyguards of black-shirted men, the Schutzstaffel (SS), to attack opponents. He also discovered, and used, his powerful ability for public speaking. The Beer Hall Putsch In November 1923, Hitler organized Bavarian nationalists under a figurehead of General Ludendorff into a coup (or putsch). They declared their new government in a beer hall in Munich; a group of 3,000 marched through the streets, but they were met by police who opened fire, killing 16. Hitler was arrested in1924 and used his trial to spread his name and his ideas widely. He was sentenced to just five years in prison, a sentence often described as a sign of tacit agreement with his views. Hitler served only nine months in prison, during which he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle), a book outlining his theories on race, Germany, and Jews. It sold five million copies by 1939. Only then, in prison, did Hitler come to believe he was destined to be a leader. The man who thought he was paving the way for a German leader of genius now thought he was the genius who could take and use power. Politician After the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler resolved to seek power through subverting the Weimar government system, and he carefully rebuilt the NSDAP, or Nazi, party, allying with future key figures like Goering and propaganda mastermind Goebbels. Over time, he expanded the party’s support, partly by exploiting the fears of socialists and partly by appealing to everyone who felt their economic livelihood threatened by the depression of the 1930s. Over time, he gained the interest of big business, the press, and the middle classes. Nazi votes jumped to 107 seats in the Reichstag in 1930. Its important to stress that Hitler wasnt a socialist. The Nazi party that he was molding was based on race, not the idea of socialism, but it took a good few years for Hitler to grow powerful enough to expel the socialists from the party. Hitler didnt take power in Germany overnight and took years for him to take full power of his party overnight. President and Fà ¼hrer In 1932, Hitler acquired German citizenship and ran for president, coming in second to von Hindenburg. Later that year, the Nazi party acquired 230 seats in the Reichstag, making them the largest party in Germany. At first, Hitler was refused the office of Chancellor by a president who distrusted him, and a continued snub might have seen Hitler cast out as his support failed. However, factional divisions at the top of government meant that, thanks to conservative politicians believing they could control Hitler, he was appointed chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. Hitler moved with great speed to isolate and expel opponents from power, shutting trade unions and removing communists, conservatives, and Jews. Later that year, Hitler perfectly exploited an act of arson on the Reichstag (which some believe the Nazis helped cause) to begin the creation of a totalitarian state, dominating the March 5 elections thanks to support from nationalist groups. Hitler soon took over the role of president when Hindenburg died and merged the role with that of chancellor to become fà ¼hrer (leader) of Germany. In Power Hitler continued to move with speed in radically changing Germany, consolidating power, locking up â€Å"enemies† in camps, bending culture to his will, rebuilding the army, and breaking the constraints of the Treaty of Versailles. He tried to change the social fabric of Germany by encouraging women to breed more and bringing in laws to secure racial purity; Jews were particularly targeted. Employment, high elsewhere in a time of depression, fell to zero in Germany. Hitler also made himself head of the army, smashed the power of his former brownshirt street warriors, and expunged the socialists fully from his party and his state. Nazism was the dominant ideology. Socialists were the first in the death camps. World War II and the Failure of the Third Reich Hitler believed he must make Germany great again through creating an empire and engineered territorial expansion, uniting with Austria in an Anschluss and dismembering Czechoslovakia. The rest of Europe was worried, but France and Britain were prepared to concede limited expansion with Germany, taking within it the German fringe. Hitler, however, wanted more. It was in September 1939, when German forces invaded Poland, that other nations took a stand and declared war. This was not unappealing to Hitler, who believed Germany should make itself great through war, and invasions in 1940 went well. Over the course of that year, France fell and the Third Reich expanded. However, his fatal mistake occurred in 1941 with the invasion of Russia, through which he wished to create lebensraum, or living room. After initial success, German forces were pushed back by Russia, and defeats in Africa and West Europe followed as Germany was slowly beaten. Death During the last years of the war, Hitler became gradually more paranoid and divorced from the world, retreating to a bunker. As armies approached Berlin from two directions, Hitler married his mistress Eva Braun and on April 30, 1945, he killed himself. The Soviets found his body soon after and spirited it away so it would never become a memorial. A piece remains in a Russian archive. Legacy Hitler will forever be remembered for starting the Second World War, the most costly conflict in world history, thanks to his desire to expand Germany’s borders through force. He will equally be remembered for his dreams of racial purity, which prompted him to order the execution of millions of people, perhaps as high as 11 million. Although every arm of German bureaucracy was turned to pursuing the executions, Hitler was the chief driving force. In the decades since Hitler’s death, many commentators have concluded that he must have been mentally ill and that, if he wasn’t when he started his rule, the pressures of his failed wars must have driven him mad. Given that he ordered genocide and ranted and raved, it is easy to see why people have come to this conclusion, but it’s important to state that there is no consensus among historians that he was insane, or what psychological problems he may have had. Sources â€Å"Adolf Hitler.† Biography.com, AE Networks Television, 14 Feb. 2019. Alan Bullock, Baron Bullock, et al. â€Å"Adolf Hitler.† Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 19 Dec. 2018.

U05a1 Case Analysis Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

U05a1 Analysis - Case Study Example As early as in 1985, the possibility of a great disaster in case of an explosion inside the tunnel was pointed out by ‘The Baltimore Sun’. However, nothing was done to ensure safety in case of such a disaster. The city’s 440 page emergency plan contained no provision to meet such an eventuality. The event On 18 July 2001, a freight train of CSX that was carrying various items from paper, plywood, soy oil, and many chemicals derailed inside the tunnel. As a result of derailing, there was fire and smoke. The crew of the train could not contact authorities and hence, they uncoupled the first three locomotives and drove out of the tunnel. Soon, thick smoke started covering the city. The fire department was getting calls from different parts of the city reporting smoke. The waybill from the train crew revealed that the train carried hazardous materials like hydrochloric acid, flurocilicic acid, tripopylene, glacial acetic acid, ethyl hexyl phthalate, and propylene glyc ol. While some of these were combustible, others could create breathing problems and skin burns. A possibility of ‘boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) could not be ruled out, which could mean total destruction of the city. In addition, the fire officials were not at all familiar with handling those chemicals. As it is rightly said in Penuel, Statler, and Golson (2011, p.89), decisions during a crisis are to be taken in an environment where issues are wrongly defined and data is erroneous. The management of the situation It seems that the fire department proceeded well in accordance with the stipulated procedures. As the city’s emergency plan did not provide any guidelines, it was for the first responder- the fire department- to take the lead. As per the stipulated incident command procedure, the senior officer of the first unit on the scene is responsible to assess the situation, and, depending on the seriousness of the situation, to report upwards. Exactly in the same way, the matter was reported to Chief Heinbuch, and soon he started the command post near the north end of the tunnel. This step too seems well in accordance with the suggested procedures in case of an emergency. Soon, Heinbuch took charge of the situation, and set up the command post near the north end of the tunnel. At this juncture, it is worth remembering that this step too is well in accordance with the stipulation that an incident command post will be established within close proximity to incident response operations. (Penuel et al., 2011, p. 89). The next positive point to note from the case is the cooperation between the fire department and the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE). According to the reports, both the departments worked and trained together, and hence, communication and cooperation were instantaneous. It seems that there was an averagely effective management of the situation. It seems that the team was able to establish link with a number of o ther groups ranging from MDE, public health, public works department, and the department of transportation, US Coast Guard, the EPA, and the National Transportation Safety Board. Still, there was serious lack of communication among groups that could lead to loss of lives. An example is the effort by DPW crews on 19 July to excavate the water

The effect of Mass Media on Globalization Essay

The effect of Mass Media on Globalization - Essay Example media and commercialization of the global television has led to the widespread usage of cable and satellite channels that have in turn promoted globalization and free exchange of ideas. The turning point for globalization has been the development of optic fibers, electromagnetic waves, and geo stationary communication satellites that enabled the transmission of complete and uninterrupted messages and signals. These developments account for the modern era whereas back in the 18th and 19th century, globalization relied on the postal services, telegrams and later, amateur versions of phones and faxes. These were the mechanical advancements and then came the idea and implementation of the global codification that has turned the world into a global village where everything is just a click away. Where all the information is available on fingertips and anything, anywhere can be easily accessed anytime which is bliss, yet a concern for the privacy of the masses (Potter, 2012). The ideology of the possibility of a global village was predicted and put forward by a Canadian theorist, Marshall Mcluham in 1960. Though it seemed almost impossible back then, globalization has propagated and spread its roots so deep that the world has indeed shrunk to a global village in the presence of technology. Technological advancements have not only crossed the social and territorial boundaries of the world but have also brought about huge changes in all the aspects of people’s day to day lives (Peter, 2008). All the People of the world now live together, huddled up in what seems like technological dens where they share their happiness and sorrows with one another and be there 24/7 not hindered by the weather conditions or any other issues as came across in the past. They learn from each other’s inventions, researches and discoveries and keep themselves updated regarding the happenings of the world each second. It has become possible because of the media that enables the people to

Whitey’s: The Bar amidst the Prairies :: Free Descriptive Essay About A Place

Whitey’s: the Bar amidst the Prairies Before going to the legendary Whitey’s in East Grand Forks, MN, I had thought it was bar patroned by middle-aged people. There didn’t seem to be as many college students going there. When writing about this place, I positioned myself in a neutral ground. I am from Grand Forks, and lived there for ten years, but attend college at NDSU, not UND (NDSU’s rival). I came to see or know Whitey’s through my older sister and friends who frequented there and I actually went there for my sophomore year of homecoming with friends when it was a restaurant as well. It is strange to write about the bar now that both the bar and I have changed. What I found by visiting Whitey’s was some the joy of watching others. Listening to their conversations, hearing their whispers, feeling like a part of something in that bar was fulfilling. I came to find Whitey’s as being a place of fulfillment and satisfaction not only for the alumni of UND or the regulars, but for myself as an outsider as well. I felt comfortable at this local nostalgic bar. When coming into this place, I felt a sense of comradry and affection. It was UND’s homecoming weekend, and this was the place to be for the alumni. The first thing you see when you walk into Whitey’s is the bar to your left, the bar down the aisle, and the pool tables to your right and left, different from most bars I have been to with the dance floor being the first thing you see. There are neon signs hanging behind the bar to your left giving specials on $1.50 pints of beer. As I glided in I could feel the reunion amongst the alumni and it almost became cozy to an outsider such as myself. It happened to be very cold outside, and very warm inside, furthering the sense of coziness. I sat at the bar farthest back with friends and began to try to understand and learn about the people around me, without interfering. The first person who caught my eye was a young man, probably late 20’s. He reeked of alcohol and walked in surrounded by friends coming down that long aisle that lead to the bar.

Microeconomics Market Structures

According to the principles of microeconomics market structures can be identified as perfect competition, oligopoly or monopoly. In our society today and the way business is conducted, market structures are not strictly defined by on of these particular types. They can be composed of a mix of them. A market structure that has a higher level of competition can be more efficient than those that have lower levels of competition. We know this since lower competition increases the producer’s surplus; in return it decreases the consumer surplus.The loss in the consumer’s surplus is means it will be greater than the increase in the producer’s surplus. This leads to what we have learned as a deadweight loss. A perfect competitive market can also be thought as the most efficient form of market, where consumers are the most beneficial. Realistically it is difficult to identify and choose a perfect competitive market. Perfect competitive markets have the following character istics: * No entry or exit barriers: These markets should have their structures set up with no entry or exit barriers.Simply meaning that new suppliers can invest in their company without any significant capitol or risk. They can also exit the industry without facing any significant loss. *Infinite buyers and sellers: the markets have unlimited or infinite amounts of producers that are willing to sell their products to an unlimited or infinite amount of buyers. This is to ensure that there is no supplier or buyer has a significant market share. This is to prevent others in the market from being able to determine the market price. Perfect Information: This is when all competitors in the market have to provide and share equal information among/between each other. Suppliers and buyers alike, go forward and profit from having full and complete information, just like the other suppliers and buyers in the markets. The above conditions benefit consumers as these firms develop and become pr ice takers. The price of the product will be decided by the supply and demand. The equilibrium point is where the supply curve and demand curve intersect and establish the market price of the product.Therefore, in all aspects of business the price is equal to marginal cost. If we look at the short-term affects then there is the possibility for a firm to make a profit. However, this is not the traditional outcome and will quickly attract other firms in the industry. In turn it will elevate the level of supply demands. As a result of this increase, the products price will decrease. Simply meaning that in a perfect competitive market it is not feasible for a firm to profit in a long-term aspect.This doesn’t necessarily mean that a firm will not earn any profits. It means that the profit earned covers all the costs to produce the goods. This can include interest and liability. In turn, the long-term outcome for the firm in a perfect competitive market will earn a normal profit. T he profit will always be significantly less then firms in a monopoly or oligopoly would earn. Capitalism is based on the principles of the free market. In free markets the supply and demand variables help determine the quantity of the goods produced along with its market price.There are many foreign countries and their firms that have tried to implement free markets but have not been very successful because there has never been that type of market in international transactions. This is because global trade and national trade are derived from the same principles. The foundation of international trade is the principle of comparative advantage. Each country has different sets of resources. These variables are different because some countries have large populations, which influence the labor pool, especially when some people have specific developed skills in a one industry.For example, if people in Antarctica wanted to drink coffee that would have to or import them since the climate is not conducive to growing it. If Antarctica decided not to use international trade, they would either have to go without coffee or grow it in an un-natural environment. The cost of growing and providing coffee would increase the market price. Instead since Antarctica participates in international trade, they have the ability to focus and provided coffee to its countries consumers. Simply meaning that countries that have comparative advantages get it from their products for which has the lowest opportunity cost.If these countries focus on products that create their comparative advantages then the total output would be greater for the consumers of the world than if each country tried to individually produce everything. The marginal cost or the cost of producing a new product usually cost less than the average cost of producing a good. This is because the additional production usually is achieved without making any substantial new investments. (V,Kumar, 2008). Globalization allows produ ction to shift to the people and places that are in a position to produce the best products at the most competitive price (V,Kumar, 2008).When the total supply demanded is more, the consumers will benefit since the price will be lower. Simply meaning that in the absence of international trade, consumers around the world ended up having fewer suppliers who could provide the necessary good to produce their products and meet their demands. Ultimately letting the supplier controls the market and its price. If we consider an assignment we have earlier in this class, let us consider the automobile industry of the 1950’s and the present industry. In the 1950’s there were only three companies who produced and sold cars in the United States.Based on what we learned in this class it is defined as an oligopoly. The automobile industry was a highly profitable industry in the 1950’s. When international cars were imported in to the United States, they were competitively price d much lower than the cars produced on home soil, and the imported goods had better quality with more fuel efficiency. In turn consumers quickly shifted their interests and money to the imported vehicles. This caused local producers to be forced to lower their prices and improve their standards in order to stay competitive.International trade brought more options to consumers. It’s providing higher levels of competition and improved quality and efficiency. With free international trade, producers can provide and compete for customers across the world. Consumer surplus is defined as, â€Å"An economic measure of consumer satisfaction, which is calculated by analyzing the difference between what consumers are willing to pay for a good or service relative  to  its  market price. A consumer surplus occurs when the consumer is willing to pay more for a given product than  the current market price† (Investopedia: dictionary).When the number of suppliers in the indust ry increases it leads to higher levels of competition, and these market conditions found in a perfect competitive market end up being more profitable to consumers. Social cost are one of the variables that lack in all studies of economy however, as our society advances, so do social costs and this is reflecting in the markets. We have learned a lot about comparing the cost of a product and revenue generated from it In turn if we take into account the growing effect of social costs and the social benefits that can emerge from this trend.We cannot forget that there are also marginal social costs. The marginal social cost becomes greater with each additional thing that happens that is considered undesirable or also knows as un-anticipated cost activity. For example, an oil company that is drilling must extend its hours on Friday to reach the minimal amount of oil harvested. This will mean there will be a marginal cost for each additional hour the oilrig must operate to reach its quota. Marginal social cost would be the upward slope that shows the cost increasing with each additional output.Marginal benefits would be the opposite as marginal social cost with a downward slope. Environmental factors show the relationship connections between marginal social cost and marginal social benefit. Lets assume that all firms are constantly trying to reduce the level of pollution that they create. This is not an over night process and it does require a significant amount of capitol. This would affect the marginal benefit. Now on a different hand lets assume that a company has been cited for not following the regulations that govern company’s pollution control. This company is now required to get up to code.They are going to have to buy the new equipment that is required. This will inflate company’s costs and may affect the company’s ability to produce their products competitively. This could create many problems for the company but will ensure they are fo llowing required rules. Since it is for the good of society it means that the marginal social cost is beneficial than the marginal social benefit. Proving that marginal social cost and marginal social benefit lines cross where the two are equal. This class have class has taught many aspects and principles of microeconomics.It began with supply and demand and ended with marginal costs and benefits. All of the principles affect local and international firms, as well as consumers that are in both places. These studies will continue to evolve as business and society moves forward in the future.Work Cited * V,Kumar, VK. (2008, July 28). Globalization:who benefits from it. Retrieved from http://www. helium. com/items/398030-globalization-who-benefits-from-it * Investopedia: dictionary. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. investopedia. com/terms/c/consumer_surplus. asp

GED Overview - Prep, Online Help, Courses, Practice

Once youve decided to get your GED, it can be difficult to figure out how to prepare. Our poll shows that most people searching for GED info are either looking for classes and study programs, or are taking practice tests and looking for a testing center. It sounds easy, but it isnt always. State Requirements In the U.S., every state has its own GED or high school equivalency requirements that can be difficult to locate on the states government pages. Adult education is sometimes handled by the Department of Education, sometimes by the Department of Labor, and often by departments with names like Public Instruction or Workforce Education. Find your states requirements in GED/High School Equivalency Programs in the United States. Finding a Class or Program Now that you know whats required by your state, how do you go about finding a class, either online or on campus, or some other kind of study program? Many of the state sites offer learning programs, sometimes called Adult Basic Education, or ABE. If your state’s classes werent obvious on the GED/High School Equivalency page, search the site for ABE or adult education. State directories of schools offering adult education are often included on these pages. If your state GED/High School Equivalency or ABE websites dont provide a directory of classes, try finding a school near you on Americas Literacy Directory. This directory provides addresses, phone numbers, contacts, hours, maps, and other useful information. Contact the school that matches your needs and ask about GED/High School Equivalency prep courses. Theyll take it from there and help you achieve your goals. Online Classes If you cant find a convenient or appropriate school near you, what next? If you do well with self-study, an online course may work for you. Some, such as GED Board and gedforfree.com, are free. These sites offer free study guides and practice tests that are very comprehensive. Check out the math and English courses at GED Board: Free Math Videos and QuizzesFree Help with English Others, such as the GED Academy and GED Online, charge tuition. Do your homework and make sure you understand what youre buying. Remember that you cannot take the GED/High School Equivalency test online. This is very important. The new 2014 tests are computer-based, but not online. There is a difference. Do not let anyone charge you for taking the test online. The diploma they offer you is not valid. You must take your test at a certified testing center. These should be listed on your states adult education website. Study Guides There are many GED/High School Equivalency study guides available at national book stores and in your local libraries, and some of these are probably available at your local independent book store as well. Ask at the counter if youre not sure where to find them. You can also order them online. Compare prices and how each book is laid out. People learn in different ways. Choose the books that make you feel comfortable using them. This is your education. Adult Learning Principles Adults learn differently than children. Your study experience is going to be different from your memory of school as a child. Understanding adult learning principles will help you make the most of this new adventure you’re beginning. Introduction to Adult Learning and Continuing Education Practice Tests When youre ready to take the GED/High School Equivalency test, there are practice tests available to help you find out how ready you really are. Some are available in book form from the same companies that publish the study guides. You may have seen them when you shopped for guides. Others are available online. Following are just a few. Search for GED/High School Equivalency practice tests and choose a site that is easy for you to navigate. Some are free, and some have a small fee. Again, be sure you know what youre buying. Test Prep ReviewGED Practice.com from Steck-VaughnPeterson’s Registering for the Real Test If you need to, refer back to your state’s adult education website to locate the testing center closest to you. Tests are usually offered on certain days at specific times, and youll need to contact the center to register in advance. Effective January 1, 2014, states have three testing choices: GED Testing Service (partner in the past)HiSET Program, developed by ETS (Educational Testing Service)Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC, developed by McGraw Hill) Info about the 2014 GED Test from GED Testing Service is below. Watch for info about the other two tests coming soon. The GED Test from GED Testing Service The new 2014 computer-based GED test from GED Testing Service has four parts: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) (150 minutes)Mathematical Reasoning (90 minutes)Science (90 minutes)Social Studies (90 minutes) Sample questions are available on the GED Testing Service site. The test is available in English and Spanish, and you can take each part up to three times in a one-year period. Calming Test Stress No matter how hard youve studied, tests can be stressful. There are lots of ways to manage your anxiety, assuming youre prepared, of course, which is the first way to reduce test stress. Resist the urge to cram right up to test time. Your brain will function more clearly if you: Arrive early and relaxedTrust yourselfTake your timeRead the instructions carefullyAnswer the questions you know easily first, and thenGo back and work on the harder ones Remember to breathe! Breathing deeply will keep you calm and relaxed. Relieve study stress with 10 Ways to Relax. Good Luck Getting your GED/High School Equivalency certificate will be one of the most satisfying accomplishments of your life. Good luck to you. Enjoy the process, and let us know in the Continuing Education forum how youre doing.