1 CASAS Overview Symposium on Issues and Challenges in Assessment and Accountability for Adult...

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CASAS Overview

Symposium on Issues and Challenges in Assessment and Accountability for Adult English Language LearnersMay 16, 2003Washington DC

Linda Taylor(201) 894-0202(800) 255-1036 x186

ltaylor@casas.orgwww.casas.org *Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System

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CASAS in quality ESOL Programs

Assesses basic skills in practical, life skills contexts

Includes standardized multiple-choice measures – Reading, Listening and Math

Includes standardized performance-based measures - Writing and Speaking

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CASAS in quality ESOL Programs

Used in ESL, EL Civics, VESL, employability, and workplace programs

Correlates to many standards: ESL model, SCANS, GED, EFF

Reports results to meet NRS requirements for reporting learner progress

Professional/staff training on assessment available

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CASAS CompetenciesCASAS National Scale with

Skill Level DescriptorsAssessment tools

ReadingListeningWritingSpeaking

Instructional Materials Guide / Quick Search

Integrated Systems Approach

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CASAS Competencies

Basic Communication Consumer Economics Community Resources Health Employability Government and Law Learning to Learn Independent Living

Skills

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CASAS Competencies

Includes over 300 life skill competenciesCorrelated to SCANS & other national standardsHelps learners & instructors apply learning & teaching in a “real world context”Complete list at www.casas.org

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CASAS National Scale Skill Level Descriptors

to interpret test results Equal interval scale Used to determine

learner skill levels learner gains

Accurate from beginning literacy to advanced ESL

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Research-based Criterion referenced Standardized multiple-choice

and performance-based

Valid for non-native and native speakers of English

Links individual results and instructional materials

Reports results by students, class, program, state

CASAS Assessment

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Appraisals for placement

Pretests to help students prepare learning plans

Post-tests to monitor and report progress

Certification tests

CASAS types of tests

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Workforce development systems

Employability Competency System - ECS

Workforce Learning Systems – WLS

Workforce Skills Certification System - WSCS

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• Identifies skills learners need to succeed in today’s workforce, community, and family

• Integrates curriculum and assessment

• Provides assessment tools in the life and work context

Life and Work Series

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Citizenship

Government and History for Citizenship Measures knowledge of government,

history and civics Writing dictation section with scoring

guidelines is included Reading for Citizenship, Level A Reading comprehension in citizenship

context Used for pre- and post-testing of

beginning level learners

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Assesses speaking skills of adult

ESL/Citizenship learners in the context

of a simulated INS oral citizenship

interview

Determines readiness to

pass naturalization English

interview

Citizenship Interview Test

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Assesses writing skills in functional workplace, employability, and life skills contexts

Includes form, picture, process, letter, note and inventory tasks

Helps prepare for GED writing test

Functional Writing Functional Writing AssessmentAssessment

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Commercially available teacher resources

Coded by Competency Skill level ESL/ABE/LD/math

learners Quick Search database NOT a curriculum

Instructional Materials Guide

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Quick Search By Competencies

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Initial ImplementationDetermine if students goals match CASAS competenciesIdentify several pilot implementation teachers and classesSelect preferred staff development option: CD Rom self study ($325/site) Certified Trainer goes to your agency ($3000

for 25 staff) CASAS Summer Institute ($475)

June 17 – 19, 2003 For state implementation, identify potential

state certified trainers

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Key Benefits of CASASIntegrates curriculum, assessment, and instruction across programs and levels into one comprehensive systemAllows for choice of test series to match student goals with results reported on the same scale (e.g., Employability or Life Skills)Allows for choice of skills tested to match student goals (e.g., reading, listening, speaking, writing) Includes multiple measures

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Key Benefits of CASASIncorporates cost-effective processes and tools.

Includes professional development for initial and ongoing implementation

TOPSpro reports:

provide documentation that meets funder requirements(see California Benchmark Level chart)

Provides quick, rich and relevant student, teacher, administrators level feedback.

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ESL Assessment Challenges

Providing adequate and ongoing professional development to select and administer tests in a standardized mannerFostering willingness in local programs to go beyond basic compliance regarding assessmentEstablishing and executing procedures in local programs for teachers to receive test results in a timely mannerDeveloping adequate and realistic local assessment plans to assess all relevant skills, including performance assessment

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In conclusionUse of the entire CASAS system

provides local program and state staff with data to pinpoint program strengths and weaknesses.

The various components and tools of the CASAS system contribute to ongoing quality program improvement.

The CASAS National Consortium members determine field-based development priorities.

CASAS is a non-profit CASAS is a non-profit organizationorganization

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