[NIFL-ASSESSMENT:580] Forward from NLA: response to Tom Sticht's article

marie.cora@hotspurpartners.com

Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 11:37:20 -0400 (EDT)
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From: "Marie Cora" <marie.cora@hotspurpartners.com>
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Subject: [NIFL-ASSESSMENT:580] Forward from NLA:  response to Tom Sticht's article
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Hi everyone,

I am forwarding this posting out of the context of the many email
responses on NLA to Tom's article.  I'm posting just this one because I
don't want to inundate you; also, I'm posting this from Andrea Wilder
because she poses a series of statements (her opinion) and questions
that are directly related to many conversations that we are having on
the Assessment List.

Personally, I'm struck by:

"(By the way, has  anybody tried to figure out reading grade
level--really tried to figure it out?  How it is determined?  Please
give me  a reference if you know.)"

and

"Teaching to the TABE is an interesting idea.  Would it increase the
students' overall use of literacy?  Is the TABE good enough to act as an
index?  Does anybody know?"

How about you?  What strikes you?  What do you think?

If you want to see the entire thread of NLA messages on this go to the
National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE at:
http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla

marie cora
NIFL Assessment List Moderator

FYI: for the continuing discussion on Data for Program Improvement see
the PLI (Program Leadership and Improvement) at:
http://pli.cls.utk.edu/

-----Original Message-----
From: aaace-nla-bounces@lists.literacytent.org
[mailto:aaace-nla-bounces@lists.literacytent.org] On Behalf Of
AWilder106@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 2:10 PM
To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE
Subject: [SPAM] Re: [AAACE-NLA] Delusion of Accountability in Adult
Education (longer)

Andres,

I agree that we first have to define literacy.

I also agree that there are many literacies.

I also agree that there are specific domains of literacy. (The Brian
Street reference.)

I agree with others that there is something called "rudimentary
literacy,"  let's say  literacy at the 6th grade level (whatever that
is).    Basic literacy.

(By the way, has  anybody tried to figure out reading grade
level--really tried to figure it out?  How it is determined?  Please
give me  a reference if you know.)

I agree with your list of uses of literacy.  I haven't mastered them all
myself, may sometime.

A test is an index of  wider ability in a  field.

Anecdotes are maybe useful, but they don't go the  distance.

If X can read a  prescription, it is likely that X can read many other
things.  Same with homework.  

I thought of workforce programs, that is why I used the word
"assessments."  

Teaching to the TABE is an interesting idea.  Would it increase the
students' overall use of literacy?  Is the TABE good enough to act as an
index?  Does anybody know?

How do your teachers test their students?  Are you part of AELS?

Oh--the teacher who "coached," not part of the adult ed system, I
included this as an example of how a test can be manipulated by a
person  who wants to be able to  report higher average scores for a
group.

Andrea
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