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(1) Assessment Administration

Can you clarify which assessments are considered "Language" tests per the assessment policy?

"Language" assessments include the TABE language test for ABE learners and CASAS Life and Work Listening and BEST Plus 2.0 for ELLs. 

Do I need to re-test a learner who starts a new Period of Participation (PoP)?

Per the Assessment Policy, an assessment is valid for the program to place a learner as long as it has been administered in the last three months. If the learner is entering a new PoP, the program does not need to re-test a learner if the learner was administered a valid assessment (pre or post-test) in the last three months. That said, the program does have the option to re-test the learner before three months has lapsed if there is reason to believe that the results of the student’s last assessment is no longer viable for instruction, placement or planning purposes. Instructions on reporting assessments for new Periods of Participation can be found in the LACES Data Dictionary.

If the learner has been absent for 90+ days, how do we handle pre-testing?
 
Re-administer the locator/appraisal to determine appropriate level.
  • If the locator/appraisal indicates a level on which the learner was tested on both alternate test forms within the past 6 months, contact Katelyn Sedelmyer with the LACES Student ID and locator results. Katelyn will determine if the AEI Office can permit the learner’s last assessment to be pushed forward or if the learner may be same form tested. 
  • If the locator/appraisal indicates the same level but an alternate form is available that hasn’t been administered to the learner in the last 6 months, use the alternate form.
  • If the locator/appraisal indicates a different level, test on that level.
If the learner has already been assessed on both alternate forms, what assessment should we administer?
 
If the learner has not been absent for 90+ days, the learner’s last test is valid until the change in program year (June 30 – July 1). 
  • Use the score on the learner’s last test and the test publisher’s guidance to determine if the learner can be tested on a different level test or wait until 6 months passes to test the learner on a same form. 
  • If the learner indicates they plan to leave the program, the grantee may contact Katelyn Sedelmyer with the LACES Student ID. Katelyn will determine if the learner may be same form tested.

Is there a requirement to pre-test pre-literate learners in accordance with the assessment policy?

The "Pre- and Post- Test Requirements" section of the Assessment Policy states that "All learners must be pre-tested at initial intake and each new Period of Participation (PoP)."

Pre-literate learners are not an exception to this requirement. AEI must ensure learners are placed in classes based on a standardized assessment to ensure equity in placement across programming and for the tracking of Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gains. CASAS guidelines allow programs to skip the administration of the appraisal if the learner scores below a particular threshold in the oral and writing screening. See the CASAS Guidelines for Determining Level Placement (PDF) for more information.

It is important to note that as long as these learners meet eligibility requirements1 of Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), they are eligible to receive services under these funds, but they must be tested before receiving instruction.

Do I need to re-test a learner who scores out-of-range?

Per the Assessment Policy, “Learners must be re-tested if the learner scores out-of-range on a test.”

In order to ensure that students are given the opportunity to have their skills and needs properly defined; AEI compiled the following information from CASAS and TABE test publishers.

TABE 11/12 out-of-range scores

Please refer to the table below to determine when a scale score is out-of-range. The “Low” numbers below indicate that a student should be retested on a lower level if scale score is at or below this number. The “High” numbers below indicate that a student should be retested on a higher level if scale score is at or above this number.

Paper

Level/Form 

Reading Low

Reading High

Math Low

Math High

Language Low

Language High

11L N/A 500 N/A 495 N/A 510
12L N/A 500 N/A 495 N/A 510
11E N/A 535 N/A 536 N/A 546
12E N/A 535 N/A 536 N/A 546
11M 441 575 453 595 459 583
12M 441 575 453 595 458 583
11D 500 616 500 656 512 630
12D 500 616 495 656 513 630
11A 537 N/A 536 N/A 550 N/A
12A 538 N/A 540 N/A 548 N/A

Online

Level/Form 

Reading Low

Reading High

Math Low

Math High

Language Low

Language High

11L N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
12L N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
11E N/A 535 N/A 536 N/A 546
12E N/A 535 N/A 536 N/A 546
11M 441 575 453 595 458 583
12M 441 575 453 595 458 583
11D 500 616 496 656 511 630
12D 502 616 495 656 513 630
11A 538 N/A 539 N/A 550 N/A
12A 538 N/A 536 N/A 547 N/A

CASAS out-of-range scores

Please refer to the table below to determine when a score is out-of-range:

Levels

Out-of-range

Reading Forms

Reading Scale Score

Language Forms

Language Scale Score

Math Computation Forms

Math Computation Scale Score

Lit Scores at or above are too high. Retest at a higher level. 27R & 28R 192 - - - -
A Scores at or below are too low. Retest at a lower level. 81R & 82R 169 981 & 982 168 31M & 32M -
A Scores at or above are too high. Retest at a higher level. 81R & 82R 205 981 & 982 208 31M & 32M -
AX Scores at or below are too low. Retest at a lower level. 81RX & 82RX 181 - - - -
AX Scores at or above are too high. Retest at a higher level. 81RX & 82RX 218 - - - -
B Scores at or below are too low. Retest at a lower level. 83R & 84R 185 983 & 984 189 32M & 33M 188
B Scores at or above are too high. Retest at a higher level. 83R & 84 R 230 983 & 984 218 32M & 33M -
C Scores at or below are too low. Retest at a lower level. 85R & 86R 199 985 & 986 209 34M & 35M 201
C Scores at or above are too high. Retest at a higher level. ASE only. 185R & 186R 247 985 & 986 240 34M & 35M -
C Scores at or below are too low. Retest at a lower level. 185R & 186R 196 - - - -
C Scores at or above are too high. Retest at a higher level. ASE only. 185R & 186R 247 - - - -
D Scores at or below are too low. Retest at a lower level. ASE only. 187R & 188R 198 - - 36M & 37M 212

Can the assessment administrator watch a test administration via video camera in another room?

The publisher does not recommend this and this practice is generally not allowed from AEI’s perspective. Contact your AEI Program Coordinator  about your particular circumstance to see if an exception can be granted.

Is it allowable for a test administrator to leave the room and go to other test sessions?

This is generally not allowed. Contact your AEI Program Coordinator  about your particular circumstance to see if an exception can be granted.

What sort of documentation is needed from partners when accepting a test they administered?

Make sure to get a release of information form from the student. Then collect the scores if the paper-based version was administered or an online printout if the students test scores if the test was administered online. Receive an assurance in writing that the partner agency adhered to the requirements for administering a test outlined on page 7 of the assessment policy. 


1Per WIOA Section 203(4), an eligible individual has attained 16 years of age; is not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law; and who is basic skills deficient; does not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and has not achieved an equivalent level of education; or is an English Language Learner.