Tabe Workshop Handout

Why TABE 9 and 10? -

Applied questions are relevant to today’s adults

-

Level L is available for beginning literacy students o Ideal for special needs o Given orally

-

If using a Scantron machine, charts and student study plans are available to link TABE questions to Contemporary’s instructional materials.

-

Most skills, such as “interpreting graphs” or “probability,” contain equal number of questions on both the pre- and post-test, making it easier to measure goal progress. Both TABE forms (i.e. Form 9 and 10) are equal in difficulty.

-

According to TABE publications, a language or math score of 600+ is an equivalent passing score on the GED.

-

The reading and language mechanics tests’ question formats match closely with GED Reading and GED Writing.

TABE Testing Time Limits Core Battery (3:17 total) Test

Time

Questions

Reading

:50

50

Math computation Applied math

:24

40

:50

50

Language

:55

55

Vocabulary

:14

20

:14

20

:10

20

(optional test)

Language mechanics (optional test)

Spelling (optional test)

1

Locator :37 total time limit

2

Test

Questions

Reading

12

Math computation Applied math

8

Language

12

8

3

Locator Test Information Locator tests are built to measure a wide range of ability with a limited number of questions. Therefore, the information from a locator test about a student’s functional level is only a very rough estimate. You will use the locator score to determine what level of test to give them next. TABE Locator Cut Scores Math (add up total of Language

Reading

TABE level to administer E M D A

two math tests = 16)

6 and below 7-8 9-10 11-12

4-6 7-8 9-11 12-16

Example 1: Jimmy receives the following locator scores: - Reading 10/12 - Math 9/16 - Language 11/12 Jimmy should be given the following TABE tests: - Reading ____ -

Math

____

-

Language ____

6 and below 7-8 9-10 11-12

Example 2: Susie receives the following locator scores: - Reading 7/12 - Math 10/16 - Language 11/12 Susie should be given the following TABE tests: - Reading ____ -

Math

____

-

Language ____

TABE Complete Battery By 12 hours into the program, the student should be completing the following TABE pre-tests based on the levels determined by the locator (above): Required: • ______________

4

•

______________

•

______________

-

_______________

•

______________

-

_______________

Optional:

-

_______________

Required Test Administration Processes: • Completed within student’s first 12 class hours • Level determined by locator • Time limits enforced • Students should not see test questions before the test • Administer the four required test • TABE 9 should be pre-test form; TABE 10 should be used for post-test Recommended Test Administration Processes: - Teachers may read directly from scripts provided in the Test Directions. - Students may split up testing over multiple class periods. - Teacher should recommend that students leave a question blank rather than guessing an answer. - Teacher should explain that the student will be given this same test again after 60 hours of instruction. - Your recommendations: _____________________________________ _________________________________________________________

TABE 9 & 10 Complete Battery offers five levels of tests (Levels L, E, M, D, and A) covering skills ranging from pre-literacy through high school. Except for the difficult and advanced levels, each level represents about two grades. TABE Test Level Level L (Literacy) Level E (Easy) Level M (Medium) Level D (Difficult) Level A (Advanced)

Content Grade Level Range 0 – 1.9 2.0 – 3.9 4.0 – 5.9 6.0 – 8.9 9.0 – 12.9

The Content Grade Level Range is valid plus or minus two years. For example, a student taking the Level M test would receive valid results if his or her score fell between grade levels 2.0 to 7.9. Scores that fall outside of the valid range are not reliable for establishing the educational functioning level or determining a student’s instructional plan. In this case, re-testing with a more appropriate level is suggested.

5

Grading -

TEST MATH total

Score the tests using the Norms Book and record scores on state-approved score reporting form (form follows). Once you have the raw score, the following required information can be found in the Norms Book conversion charts: o Scaled score o Grade equivalent Math computation and applied math will have separate raw scores, but combined scaled and grade equivalent. o Example as filled out on score reporting form: RAW SCORE SCALED SCORE GRADE EQUIVALENT C=18 560* 8.1* A=29 *For illustration only – not correct score conversions.

Lowest Functioning Level Once all the required tests have been graded and grade equivalents recorded on the score reporting form, locate the lowest educational functioning level (EFL) and mark that as the initial placement on the 6-level NRS scale for ABE:

If the lowest grade equivalent is between: 0-1.9 2-3.9 4-5.9 6-8.9 9-10.9 11-12.9

NRS Functioning Levels Then their NRS EFL is: 1-ABE Beginning Literacy 2-Beginning Basic Education 3-ABE Intermediate Low 4-ABE Intermediate High 5-ASE Low (includes GED Low and ASC Low) 6-ASE High (includes GED High and ASC High)

From this point on, the student’s entry level will have been established and the goal is for the student to move up from this level to the next one before exiting the program. -

6

The pre-test score is valid for 90 days. o If a student leaves class at year-end around June 1 and does not return until after Labor Day, the teacher can determine whether or not to require new testing because the time frame is so close to the 90-day limit.

Post-Testing -

-

-

Students are given a post-test once they have received 60 hours of instruction. o If a learner indicates they are leaving the program and has attended at least 30 hours, the student may post-test. o Accompanying documentation explaining the early post-testing should be included in their student folder. The test that determined the educational functioning level is the one required for post-testing. However, it is recommended that a post-test be administered for all areas for which a pre-test was given. Post-test scores will be recorded on the same score reporting form on which the pre-test scores were recorded. Once the post-test raw score has been recorded, use the Norms Book to determine the scaled score and grade equivalent. If the grade equivalent falls into a NRS Functioning Level range that is at least one level higher (i.e. from a level 4 to a level 5), record that student as: o Completed if they do not return to class after their post-test date o Advanced if they return or continue to attend class after their post-test date If the student does not improve enough to “go up a level”, the post-test attempt should still be recorded on the score reporting form. o The student may post-test again following the guidelines of the assessment policy.

Notes ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________

7