The TABE vs CASAS conversation has been going on since, what 1988 or
so....personally I find the CASAS much more user friendly but many of my
colleagues lean heavily toward TABE because it is more academic in
nature.  Both can serve as high stakes tests.  There are correlation
studies that have been done based on TABE and CASAS scores (using the
scores to show how well a student will do on a GED).  I think that you
will find CASAS at least as accurate as the current method you are using
for student placement
Va

-----Original Message-----
From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of AL
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 9:03 PM
To: assessment at nifl.gov
Cc: aalba1 at cox.net
Subject: [Assessment 653] Efficacy of TABE Verses CASAS ????

Dear Educators,

   I am an adult educator for the Rhode Island Department of
Corrections.
Presently we use the TABE 7/8, without the TABE Locator.  I am wondering
on
the efficacy of using such an instrument as a method to place students
in
either special education classes or regular GED classes.  The Standard
we
use at our department is that if a student has overall TABE test report
scores of 6.0 or greater he or she is placed in the general adult
education
classes. If a student's scores are below 6.0 he or she is placed in a
special education class.  Is the use of the aforementioned test an
effective
instrument for discerning a student's class placement.

   Also, I have been told our department  the State of RI may be
switching
to CASAS at the start of the next school year for adult education
classes
and for student class placement.  I was wondering on the efficacy of
CASAS
for placing students in either ABE (special education classes) or GED as
compared to the TABE battery for such an analysis.

   In addition I was wondering,  which instrument CASAS or TABE is best
for
use as a diagnostic aid?  Specifically, which student test report either
TABE or CASAS give the teacher better guidance with respect to analyzing
the
areas of students' strengths and weaknesses?

               Thanks in advance for your feedback,   Albert Alba, Jr.
PhD.


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