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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Hello Forrest,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Absolutely, you are correct, sir. We
do agree. If I sounded a bit excited it’s probably because I am a
little sensitive about standardized assessments at this point. Our
professional development team just completed an addendum for the state
assessment policy. I never like to see us get so focused on the “big
picture” that we forget our learners’ needs and goals. Too
many <i><span style='font-style:italic'>are</span></i> slaves to the NRS.
We do see the need for a good accountability system, at the same time we
recognize that there are regional differences in our populations and delivery
systems, not to mention funding. Right now we are working on content
standards for adult education and hope this will be a good framework for sound
curriculum at the program level. There are so many good teachers out
there. I too would like to see a more vested interest in helping teachers
do their jobs, rather than imposing more requirements on them.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thank you for your comments, Forrest.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Karen <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
assessment-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Forrest Chisman<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, November 04, 2008
4:09 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">The
Assessment Discussion List</st1:PersonName>'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Assessment 1457] Re:
TABE CLAS-E</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Dear Karen,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>I think we agree. But I think there are
three different assessment issues, and I also think that they sometimes get
confused. The first is the NRS. We all know that this does a poor job of
measuring what programs teach and students learn – especially in ESL. We
can either live with it and ignore it, or (better) try to get DOE in the next
administration to improve it. Where I think we get into trouble is when we
start designing programs to meet its requirements in any serious way – and
that does happen, as you know. The second issue consists of state level
assessments. Because all of AE is primarily a state-based system, they matter
more than the NRS. And I think states need to know how well students are doing
on all 4 core ESL skills – as well as math (which is too seldom discussed
or measured) – to know how best to allocate resources. For these
purposes, I don’t think they have to adopt the NRS levels or use the
nationally standardized tests. That is, they should not be slaves to the NRS.
I’m encouraged that a growing number of states are publishing curricular
frameworks. Assessments based on THOSE seem to me the best way to go. But I
agree with you about the dangers of over-testing. The third issue consists of
program level assessments. I agree with you that teachers – ideally
teachers working collegially within a program to reach common understandings
– are the key to these. I only wish there was a greater investment in
helping ALL teachers to do this as well as possible, and in giving them the
time to work on these and other program issues as a team.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Forrest
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
assessment-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b><st1:PersonName w:st="on">Burger,
Karen</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, November 04, 2008
11:15 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">The
Assessment Discussion List</st1:PersonName>'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Assessment 1456] Re:
TABE CLAS-E<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Forrest, you make a good point, but
let’s not mistake assessment for good instructional practices. Any
ESL teacher would or should agree that you don’t isolate skills day after
day in the classroom. Although we assess in one or two areas for
reporting purposes, we teach all four components of language, and a fifth
– cultural literacy. My concern is that a mandate to assess all
areas with a standardized test will frustrate learners and hurt our
programs. A learner can only be nationally reported for one level gain in
one area per program year anyway, so let’s not over do it with the
testing during the intake process, but rather, use other assessment tools
during the instructional process to determine what our students’
strengths and weaknesses are. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I fully agree that we are doing our
learners a disservice if we only teach to one skill area and then send them on
their way. Language is communication and requires all components,
reading, writing, listening and speaking, to be effective. Merely
administering another test has never resulted in more learning taking
place. And tests don’t always give the full picture. They are
just one measure of what the learner has achieved. Teachers, good teachers
are the experts when it comes to really understanding what their learners
know. They need to be able to continually assess their learners and
customized their instruction to meet individual and classroom needs. I
hope we don’t get so focused on standardized testing that we forget that.<b><span
style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><em><b><i><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;
font-weight:bold'>Karen Burger</span></font></i></b></em></st1:PersonName><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><b><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Professional
Development Consultant</span></font></i></b></em><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><b><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Adult
Education Professional Development Project</span></font></i></b></em><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><em><i><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>John</span></font></i></em></st1:PlaceName><em><i><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Beard</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Learning</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></span></font></i></em></st1:place><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><em><i><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>1601 East College St</span></font></i></em></st1:address></st1:Street><em><i><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>.</span></font></i></em><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-style:italic'><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><em><i><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>Crawfordsville</span></font></i></em></st1:City><em><i><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State w:st="on">IN</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">47933</st1:PostalCode></span></font></i></em></st1:place></span></font></i><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>(765) 362-8158</span></font></i></em><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>(866) 977-9902</span></font></i></em><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>kburger@cville.k12.in.us</span></font></i></em><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
assessment-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Howard Dooley<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, November 03, 2008
3:45 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">The
Assessment Discussion List</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Assessment 1455] Re:
TABE CLAS-E</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Well said, Forrest.</span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Howard D.</span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>RI</span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
assessment-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Forrest Chisman<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, November 03, 2008
1:35 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">The
Assessment Discussion List</st1:PersonName>'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Assessment 1454] Re:
TABE CLAS-E</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Dear all,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Bureaucratic considerations aside, if a
state is concerned with the welfare of both students and its economy why would
it NOT want to place equal value on all 4 ESL skills? “Levels” are
inherently arbitrary. It distresses me that standardized tests (and the NRS)
may be debasing both curricula and learning. For operational and accountability
purposes, why not test each of the 4 skills and report rates of progress in
them separately? If you must have promotion by levels, why not set the
promotional scores for each level at a point students in your mainstream
programs can be expected to achieve after a certain number of instructional
hours? This would require some restructuring at the curricular and program
levels, but that is overdue in any event. Thus, if students are strong on
reading and weak on listening, programs would devote more time to listening
than reading. Alternatively, some programs have developed supplementary short
courses at each level for students who are behind in each skill. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Forrest Chisman<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>CAAL <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
assessment-bounces@nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces@nifl.gov] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Anderson, Philip<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, November 03, 2008
8:45 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">The
Assessment Discussion List</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Assessment 1451] Re:
TABE CLAS-E<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>Karen, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>I really appreciate your helpful
thoughts. Your voice is one that I will share with our ad hoc committee,
so they can hear from someone with similar issues. I heartily agree with
you about trying to meet student goals instead of state mandates. Thank you
for pointing out the need for flexibility in testing and not to test students
too much. That is exactly what we are grappling with now, and the purpose of
convening an ad hoc committee of practitioners is to sort this out and make a
recommendation to the state. We are considering the recommendations from
the publisher of TABE CLAS-E and we are trying to determine whether their
recommendations will fit our programs, and if so, how they can fit best.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>We currently have in place a state
assessment policy that requires programs that offer <u>federally funded</u> ESL
courses to assess students in both reading and listening with the CASAS.
There are exceptions to this with students in the lowest level of the NRS
levels. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>The state assessment policy also allows
programs that offer the federally funded ESL course to use BEST Plus and/or
BEST Literacy. We do not require that programs assess students with both
BEST Plus (listening and speaking) and BEST Literacy (reading and
writing). <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>I hesitate to speak on behalf of the
publishers of CASAS, TABE CLAS-E or BEST to say what their viewpoints are on
this question of how many skill areas the state should require programs to test
students in, but they are well aware of our policy and we have had many
conversations about it that have been very helpful. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>The primary reason we think it is
important to test students who are enrolled in the main ESL course we offer
(federally funded) in both reading and listening is that we have found that the
majority of the ESOL population we serve has more difficulty with their
listening skill than their reading skill. The reading test scores among
our students across the state are consistently higher than the listening
scores. There are exceptions, yes. But overall, the trend points to
a strong need for the ESOL population in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State>
to be able to understand spoken English. If we were to put in place a
policy that advanced and reported students based solely on a reading score, we
would be seeing students exit the 6 ESL levels faster. In addition, we would
be seeing students who are still weak in the listening skill, but we would be
unable to serve them with our federal funds because they had exited out of the
6 ESL levels. We believe that by having a policy that requires programs
to report student scores and to move them from one NRS level to the next based
on the lower of the two scores, we are ensuring that students are able to get
the most comprehensive education possible. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>Maybe I should have expanded by saying
that Florida has several other types of courses for ESL that do not need to use
tests that are approved for reporting to the NRS. Testing for these
courses is handled differently. These are courses that are funded with
state dollars only, and they are: Literacy Skills for Adult ESOL Learners
(for non-literate students), Academic Skills for Adult ESOL Learners (for
students that are above Advanced ESL), Workplace Readiness Skills for Adult
ESOL Learners (for employed students with classes held at a place provided by
the employer), and Citizenship (to prepare for taking the USCIS Naturalization
test). The Adult Education Workplace Readiness course allows the school
and the employer to choose the method of assessment that best fits the
employer’s needs. A contract between the student, school and employer is
drawn up, and when the terms of the contract are met, the state pays an
established amount to the school for the expenditure of its resources. Of
course, there are other types of workplace educational services provided
through schools that are funded entirely by the employer, and these are not
funded through adult education.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>Bottom line is that while we provide
flexibility in assessment policy for state-funded courses, for the main course
that is federally funded and which moves students through 6 levels with cut off
scores at different points, we have required that programs that use CASAS must
test students in both reading and listening to report a placement level and to
show progression. There are exceptions to this with students in the
lowest level of the NRS levels. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>You can find our assessment Technical
Assistance Paper and the additional ESL courses we offer at our <a
href="http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/adult_ed.asp">adult education</a> web
page, <a href="http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/adult_ed.asp">http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/adult_ed.asp</a>.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>By the way, I know the Crawfordsville,
IN, area well – I grew up in <st1:State w:st="on">Illinois</st1:State>
but my grandmother was from <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Indiana</st1:place></st1:State>
so I had lots of relatives there. I think you have lots of covered
bridges, right? There is a Crawfordville in <st1:State w:st="on">Florida</st1:State>
(no s), about 20 minutes from <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tallahassee</st1:place></st1:City>.
I got my first exposure to teaching ESOL in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region>
in a small rural area of IL (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kankakee</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Community College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>), with
migrant farmworkers, in 1988. What an experience!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Franklin Gothic Medium Cond"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium Cond";color:blue'>Phil</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Franklin Gothic Medium Cond"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium Cond";color:blue'>(850)
245-9450</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div style='margin-left:.5in'>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Burger, Karen</st1:PersonName> [mailto:kburger@cville.k12.in.us] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Saturday, November 01, 2008
3:26 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">The
Assessment Discussion List</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Assessment 1449] Re:
TABE CLAS-E</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:black'>Phil,</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Although I have not yet
looked into the TABE CLAS-E, I find it interesting that your state is looking
at ESOL testing with regard to how to level learners and which skill areas
must be assessed. Our state policy allows for some flexibility in this for
the following reasons. First, if it is a workplace project, and the
employer is requesting instruction in a specific skill area, then that is the
area assessed and used for leveling the learner. Also, some of our
programs are very small, have limit resources, staff, space and
materials. This can make it difficult to assess learners in all
areas. Particularly in listening because of the type of testing
environment that it requires. Further, there are times that a
learner may have the goal to improve skills in a certain area. Again, the
goal would be set and the learner would only need to be assessed in that
area. I hate to see too much restriction that gets in the way of
providing classes that suit our learners needs. Sometimes it would seem
that we test our people to death, don't you think? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>We are thankful that our
state leaders have chosen to provide us with good structure and
flexibility in the assessment policy. Otherwise, there are some programs
that would find it difficult to comply with and would not be able to
report, or could not afford to serve some of our ESL poplulation.
Good luck!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Karen
Burger</span></font></st1:PersonName><font face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Professional Development
Consultant<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Adult Education
Professional Development Project<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on"><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman"'>John</span></font></st1:PlaceName><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Beard</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Learning</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></span></font></st1:place><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address
w:st="on"><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman"'>1601 East College Street</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on"><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Crawfordsville</span></font></st1:City><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">IN</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">47933</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>(765) 362-8158<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Toll free (866) 977-9902<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><a
href="mailto:kburger@cville.k12.in.us">kburger@cville.k12.in.us</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id=divRpF8113>
<div style='margin-left:.5in'>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:
12.0pt;margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
assessment-bounces@nifl.gov [assessment-bounces@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of
Anderson, Philip [Philip.Anderson@fldoe.org]<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, October 31, 2008
1:03 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">The
Assessment Discussion List</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Assessment 1448] Re:
TABE CLAS-E</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:
"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>Kimberlee,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>I’m
glad to see your posting, since we at the state adult education office in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State> are asking
similar questions. <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State>
has an ad hoc committee on assessment that is working on a set of
recommendations to the state office on the adoption of TABE CLAS-E. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>Local
programs may purchase and use the test if they choose to do so for
informational purposes, such as to guide instruction, and for purposes that are
not related to documentation for state and federal adult education
grants. But until the FL Department of Education State Board approves
TABE CLAS-E to be used for reporting any placement or progression based on test
results to the state or the federal National Reporting System (NRS).</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>At
our statewide conference in September, we had a session on how to select tests
for adult education programs that was well attended. I developed an
in-house guide and checklist on test selection, which we provided to the
participants. I would be glad to send it offline to any one that requests
it. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>CTB
McGraw Hill also provided us a planning/test selection tool they developed. You
may wish to request a copy of it from Dan Gall, <a
href="mailto:Dan_Gall@ctb.com">Dan_Gall@ctb.com</a>, or Stephanie Seemann, <a
href="mailto:Stephanie_Seemann@ctb.com">Stephanie_Seemann@ctb.com</a>.
They have been very responsive to our queries.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>The
primary issue we are grappling with as a committee is whether to recommend that
the state assessment policy mandate that programs must assess adult ESOL
students in more than one skill area, and to report on the lowest score of the
skill areas tested. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>You
can see our current state assessment technical assistance paper online at the <a
href="http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/adult_ed.asp" target="_blank">adult
education webpage</a> of the Florida Department of Education, <a
href="http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/adult_ed.asp" target="_blank">http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/adult_ed.asp</a>.
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:navy'>Phil</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><strong><b><font size=2 color=navy
face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:navy'>CONTACT INFORMATION</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:navy'>Philip Anderson</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:navy'>Adult ESOL Program</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:navy'>Florida Department of Education</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:navy'>Tel (850) 245-9450</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy
face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:navy'>philip.anderson@fldoe.org</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
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Simply click on the link to the "DOE Customer Survey."
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Bryant,
Kimberlee [mailto:kbryant@tcsg.edu] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, October 30, 2008
1:17 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> assessment@nifl.gov<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> Marie Cora<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Assessment 1446] TABE
CLAS-E</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Hello Everyone,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>I’ll keep this short.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Since TABE CLAS-E was recently
approved for use by OVAE, have any states adopted it for use in FY09? Or are
planning to in FY10?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>If so, would you be willing to share
the issues/concerns that came up during this process (crafting the state
assessment policy, training local program staff members, etc.)? </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Based on this experience, what
advice could you give to other states?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=3 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><strong><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Kimberlee Bryant</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=1 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>Regional Education Coordinator</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><font size=1 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>Instructional Services/Office of
Adult Education</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font
size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>Technical</span></font></st1:PlaceName><font
size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType> System of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Georgia</st1:place></st1:country-region></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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