Authors: West Virginia Adult Basic Education

Institutional affiliation/Agency/Program: West Virginia Department of Education Office of Adult Education and Workforce Development

Publication date or date of most recent update: 2007-2008

Number of pages: 36

Website URL: http://wvde.state.wv.us/abe/tcher_handbook_pdf/section12.pdf

Type of product: Instructor’s guide

Key words: NRS, standardized test

Target: Instructors

Training required: The resource itself is a guide for instructors who need to understand and administer tests according to the requirements of the NRS.

Abstract: The resource is a synthesis of the extensive information found at the NRS website. It presents the material in clear and organized ways that instructors can readily use to gain information and make informed decisions about testing. Chapter headings are set up in question format for easy access to particular sections of the text. The table of contents items are clickable – a feature which makes navigating the resource extremely easy. Throughout the handbook are tips which provide instructors with extra information that is either specific to their state or population they serve, or that provide extra explanation for particularly complex pieces of information.

What the experts say: The West Virginia ABE Instructor Handbook is very complete, well organized, and easy to read. It can serve as a model for other states that offer a menu of approved tests for NRS reporting purposes. 

However, information regarding some of the assessments needs to be updated.

Staff responsible for compiling and updating similar assessment handbooks should work closely with the test publishers – on an annual basis – to ensure that the information included is up-to-date and accurate.

This document should be posted as a "model" – with the caveat that specific test information would need to be updated in subsequent years.

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What a wonderful, easy-to-read description of how to administer four leading assessments:

• Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE);
• Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS);
• Basic English Skills Test (BEST/BEST Plus); and
• Combined English Language Skills Assessment (CELSA)! 

How often have practitioners asked for information and direction on which assessment they should use?  The question repeatedly surfaces on discussion lists, in workshops and in conversation with peers.  This handbook is a good resource to answer such questions.

 While written for West Virginia instructors, any adult education and literacy instructor can benefit from its descriptions and guidelines to better understand how to administer and correlate these four assessments to the National Reporting System.  However, some instructions are particular to those working in the state of West Virginia, and those are clearly identified.  Readers should check with their own state to determine practices (such as which assessments are allowable for that state, reporting procedures, etc.) to assurance compliance with their state’s NRS requirements.