Hi Robin,
You may be interested in how the Kansas Adult Education system is using the CASAS employability checklists mentioned by Ingrid.  One of the checklists -  titled "Work Maturity" - evaluates observable soft skill behaviors in a classroom setting.
Kansas Assesses Workplace Skills: Implementation of Multimedia Curriculum Incorporates CASAS Standardized Assessments
In 2002 Kansas Adult Education introduced Workplace Essential Skills (WES), a multimedia curriculum produced by KET in Lexington for the PBS LiteracyLink® project. CASAS Pre-Employment Work Maturity Checklists (a component of the Employability Competency System) are the state's assessment tool of choice for the WES curriculum. More than a dozen adult education programs in Kansas now use WES and the CASAS checklists, including:
1.       Community Colleges: Allen, Cloud, and Neosho Counties; Hutchinson, Butler, and Independence
2.       Unified School Districts: Lawrence, Osawatomie, Paolo, Salina, Newton, and Ottawa
3.       University of St. Mary in Leavenworth
The checklists measure job-seeking skills and on-the-job behavior. The front side lists yes/no questions that meet requirements for DOL certification. The reverse side provides guidance on how to score answers given to the questions and a cross-reference of checklist questions to CASAS Competencies.
Kansas programs using the checklists for workplace readiness data reporting are required to use the WES curriculum, which is correlated to the CASAS Competencies. Before learners begin workplace readiness instruction, teachers administer the "Career Awareness" (initial evaluation of how learners make career decisions using labor market information) and "Work Maturity" (evaluation of job readiness) checklists. "Preparing A Resume," "Cover Letter," "Filling Out An Application," and "Interviewing" are then administered with each corresponding WES lesson.
Recently Diane Whitley, a Kansas CASAS State Trainer, reflected on the issues and challenges of standardization and how the performance-based checklists help the state deal with these challenges.
"Kansas Adult Education is committed to providing our learners with workplace readiness skills, and the checklists provide an excellent assessment tool for the WES curriculum. The yes/no questions along with guidance on the reverse side of the checklists explain how to evaluate learners' products or observed behaviors. However, after using the checklists for a year, we found that many of the learners' products were not evaluated in accordance with the checklist guidance. Therefore, in order to ensure standardization across the state, we developed an assessment manual and conduct a full-day workshop where the assessment process is explained and the teachers evaluate examples of products using the checklists. We believe training is the key element of our success in using the checklists and our ultimate goal of helping our learners enter employment."
Jane

Jane Egüez · CASAS · Director Program Development · jeguez at casas.org · 800 255-1036 x125 · www.casas.org<http://www.casas.org>

From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Ingrid Greenberg
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 9:21 PM
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List; workplace at nifl.gov
Subject: [Workplace 1035] Re: Soft Skills Assessments

Dear Robin,

While developing and implementing workplace ESL materials in construction, hospitality, and shipyards sectors, I have found one of the common softskills in all sectors is "taking the initiative."

Have you seen the CASAS employability checklists? www.casas.org

Ingrid Greenberg
Ingrid Greenberg
Associate Professor of VESL (Vocational English as a Second Language)
San Diego Community College District
Continuing Education
Educational Cultural Complex
4343 Ocean View Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92113
619-992-2141 cell phone

________________________________
From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Adams, Robin
Sent: Thu 10/11/2007 1:02 PM
To: workplace at nifl.gov
Subject: [Workplace 1030] Soft Skills Assessments


Hello Everyone:

I'm working on developing a variety of assessment tools to somehow measure different work readiness competencies and skills, including soft skills such as attitude, motivation, responsibility, etc.

I realize it's difficult to measure soft skills but hoping there are some things out there that I might and/or adapt.  Any ideas, suggestions, or resources?


Robin Adams
RI Adult Education Professional Development Center


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