Adult Assessment

1. Which form of the TABE should be used, the new or the old? (January 2002)
   
   Programs should use the level and form appropriate for each student. Caution should be used when pre-testing and post-testing so that the forms used correlate. For example, if you pre-test on Forms 7 or 8, you should post-test on Forms 7 or 8 and, likewise, if you pre-test on Forms 9 and 10, you should post-test on Forms 9 and 10. Pre-testing on Forms 7 and 8 and post-testing on Forms 9 and 10 may negatively influence test results. 
   




2. Are programs required to use the full battery of the TABE for pre- and post-tests? (January 2004)
   
   Yes. Even Start programs are required to administer the full battery of the TABE for both the pre-test and post-test. The full battery consists of the reading and math portions of the TABE. Prior to administering the TABE pre-test, programs should use a locator to determine the appropriate level. 
   




3. Can TABE be used as both a pre-test and a post-test? (January 2004)
   
   Yes. TABE 7/8 were designed to serve as a pre-test and post-test for the
   same group of students. Generally, educators administer different forms of TABE at the same level when pre-testing and post-testing. However, if a student who pre-tested near the top of the range, has made extraordinary progress in class, or re-takes the Locator and scores at a higher level, you may elect to use the next higher level of TABE as a post-test. This type of multi-level testing will yield valid results because all levels of TABE are on the same scale. 
   




4. Our program serves teenage parents who are enrolled in high school. Should we assess these students using the TABE? (February 2005)
   
   The assessment and tracking of instructional hours for teenage parents are determined by the program that the teenage parent is enrolled. 
   
   To earn a regular high school diploma, a teenage parent must be enrolled in the high school and receive compulsory education services. Assessment of progress is conducted by the high school based on district policies. Even Start Family Literacy staff should not assess these parents using the TABE. Teenage parents who are enrolled in Transitional Equivalency Programs (TEP) are reported in the same manner. Typically, teenage parents in this category are on the school district's day register. 
   
   The assessment of progress and tracking of attendance for teenage parents enrolled in approved Alternative High School Equivalency Programs or High School Equivalency programs is the same as any other parent enrolled in adult basic and adult secondary education. At intake, these teenage parents should be assessed using the TABE and subsequently after 100 hours of instruction. Typically, teenage parents enrolled in one of these programs are not on the school district's day register. Please refer to the Performance Indicator Manual for specific guidelines concerning hours of instruction.
   




5. Should an adult be assessed using the TABE if the adult has a GED or high school diploma? (February 2005) 
   
   Adults who have obtained a high school diploma or GED while enrolled in Even Start Family Literacy should no longer be assessed using the TABE. If the family has obtained their educational goals, the program should implement plans to transition the family to other more appropriate programs. If this adult is being assessed to determine qualification for enrollment in Even Start, the program should consider if this adult meets the New York State guidelines for most-in-need (low literacy and high poverty) and the criteria established by the local program for most-in-need in their community. 
   

6. What are the guidelines for implementing the CASAS Functional Writing Assessment? (October 2005)
   
   Beginning in September 2005, all Even Start Family Literacy programs are required to assess new adult learners with the CASAS Functional Writing Assessment. The following documents provide additional instructions and guidelines for administering the assessment.

Guidance for Using CASAS Functional Writing Assessment

Form Task Administration Instructions

Picture Task Administration Instructions

ES-Star Data-entry Instructions