Hi Anthony,
 
Can you tell us some more details about the purpose and audience of the
assessment you're searching for?  Tell us more about what you mean by
adaptive test (below).  I think by normative, you mean norm-referenced,
is that correct?  
 
Others - do you have suggestions for Anthony's quest?
 
Thanks!


Marie Cora
Assessment Discussion List Moderator
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Anthony Berry
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 8:34 AM
To: The Assessment Discussion List
Subject: [Assessment 1315] Re: CASAS vs. BEST
 
Could someone please tell me how I an have sight of BEST. I have been
looking for an adaptive, normative, diagnostic test for ages and this
seems as though it might fit the bill.
 
What flavour of English is it? Yes, you can see that I am of the Queen's
English brigade!
 
Thanks for any help - btw this would be for research purposes not
productive use.
 
Anthony Berry


  _____  

Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 04:34:28 -0700
From: mjjerdems at yahoo.com
To: assessment at nifl.gov
Subject: [Assessment 1314] Re: CASAS vs. BEST

The BEST is great for assessing the learner's production of English. Its
additional pluses are that there are not test forms that learners can
learn it identify and recall easily; the test questions become harder or
easier depending on how the learner's responses are scored, which
mitigates differences between assessors; and it would be better able to
identify small progress than CASAS forms. 

The one major downside is that it takes time and more time as the
learners progress. A large program simply cannot afford to put the hours
into testing that BEST Plus requires.

I've used both CASAS and BEST Plus in smaller programs because one
instrument cannot give a full picture on a learner (Assessment 101), and
it maximizes the chance to show improvement at post-test. 

Good luck,

Mary Jane Jerde
Howard Community College

"Rodrick Beiler, Ingrid" <Ingrid.RodrickBeiler at montgomerycountymd.gov>
wrote: 
Hi everyone 
I serve as the coordinator for an adult ESOL program in Montgomery
County, MD. We offer classes mostly at the beginner level, with some
classes at literacy and intermediate levels as well. I am fairly new to
this field and am trying to determine the comparative usefulness of
CASAS and BEST for assessment of our program. Can anyone comment on
how/why their organizations might have chosen one over the other?
In case it is helpful for understanding my organization's needs, here is
some more background information: 
- We serve about 275-300 learners per semester. 
- Many of our learners have a very low educational level. 
- Pre- and post-tests are administered by our instructors during the
first and last classes of the semester. 
- Placement tests are administered by coordinators at each of our sites
in one-on-one interviews. 
- We provide 36-48 instructional hours per semester. (I wonder if this
precludes our using the BEST.) 
- Most of our funding comes from two sources (government and a private
funder). 
- The cost of standardized assessments is an important factor to us. 
Your advice is much appreciated. 
Thanks, 
Ingrid Rodrick Beiler 
Ingrid Rodrick Beiler 
ESOL Coordinator 
Linkages to Learning 
51 Monroe Street, Suite 1700 
Rockville, MD 20850 
Phone: (240) 777-1110 
Fax: (240) 777-1111 
ingrid.rodrickbeiler at montgomerycountymd.gov 
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