More cross postings for the WLL/Workplace discussion.  Workplace
members, please share your expertise on these issues!
Donna

-----Original Message-----
From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Janet Isserlis
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 11:24 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 677] Re: Curriculum, materials, ASSESSMENT


All

I used the Oral BEST; this was also in the late 80's, so there was no
NRS requirement.  If memory serves, the state may or may not have
partially funded the work - and the employer certainly bore much of the
cost, but I don't recall either entity (state office of adult ed or the
employer) being particularly concerned about the test outcomes.  The
larger question, though, is what - if any - standardized assessment can
help measure gains in very short term, content or goal-specific classes.
My question would be around why a standardized test (designed to measure
gains over time) would be necessary.  Do we need to find ways to create
yet another standardized instrument to capture shorter-term gains?

Janet


> From: sandra fugate <aviasan2 at yahoo.com>

> Reply-To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List 

> <englishlanguage at nifl.gov>

> Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 08:14:48 -0700 (PDT)

> To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List 

> <englishlanguage at nifl.gov>

> Subject: [EnglishLanguage 676] Re: Curriculum, materials, ASSESSMENT

> 

> Janet,

> 

> I am also interested in how you used the BEST test(s).  We currently 

> use all three BEST tests in Tennessee.  We have difficulty showing 

> level gains using BEST in workplace settings since we often find that 

> employers want short-term classes that produce unrealistic results.  .



> I would like to know which

> test(s) you used.

> 

> Thanks,

> Sandra Fugate, ESOL PD Coordinator

> UT Center for Literacy Studies

> 

> 

> Janet

 
Can you please explain more on how you decided to use the BEST test with
the university maintenance workers?  How did you apply the test?  Do you
have to be trained in BEST applications and scoring?  What does it
entail?

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