[NIFL-ESL:2721] Re: $ 7 million

From: Precure Agnes (agnes.precure@occs.state.or.us)
Date: Sun Dec 06 1998 - 11:17:04 EST


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From: Precure Agnes <agnes.precure@occs.state.or.us>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:2721] Re: $ 7 million
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We have not found CASAS to "take over."  What we have found is that because
CASAS is based on a list of life skills and work skills competencies, it
allows a clearer articulation beteween instruction and assessment.  These
compentencies are a valuable tool for curriculum planning.  

I'm really not sure why many people seem so afraid of CASAS.  It's just
another tool; one that is in some ways better designed than others, but
certainly not perfect.  We have teachers who love it and treachers who hate
it.  Those who hate it are often philosphically opposed to the idea of
standardized testing in general, or to the idea of a competency based or
contextualized approach to instruction and assessment.  

The idea that a test can "take over" implies to me a need for strong
professional development on the role of testing, clear messages about the
importance of any one test, and better training on the linkage between
curriculum and assessment, whether the tool is CASAS or another.

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	abtom@mindspring.com [SMTP:abtom@mindspring.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, December 03, 1998 9:06 AM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	[NIFL-ESL:2696] Re: $ 7 million
> 
> Another potential problem with CASAS is that is takes over... and the
> curriculum becomes entirely test-driven. Has anybody found that to be the
> case?   Abbie Tom
> 
> Abbie Tom,
> Durham Technical Community College
> Durham, NC
> abtom@mindspring.com                     
> 



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