Information for this section was adapted from the following sources: Assessment Technical Assistance Paper, Florida Department of Education, Office of Workforce Education, March 1, 1999; Adult Measures of Essential Skills Directions for Administration; Test of Adult Basic Education Examiner’s Manual Complete Battery; and Wonderlic Basic Skills Test User’s Manual

ASSESSMENT

The Florida Department of Education specifies in State Board Rules the standards for testing students.

ADULT EDUCATION

Rule 6A-6.014, FAC, General Requirements for Adult General Education Program, requires an initial academic skills test for adult general education for placing students in the appropriate literacy level. Assessment instruments include: Adult Measures of Essential Skills (AMES); Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), Forms 7 & 8, Complete Battery or Survey forms; Test of Adult Basic Education Work-Related Foundation Skills (TABE-WR); and Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (WBST).

SCALE SCORES

Both rules (6A-6.014 and 6A-10.040) allow for the use of scale scores in the place of grade levels. Scales scores can provide more meaningful information about incremental progress than grade level equivalents.

MODIFICATION OF TEST INSTRUMENTS

Rule 6A-1.0943,FAC, Modifications of the State Student Assessment Test Instruments and Procedures for Exceptional Students and Other Eligible Students with Disabilities, provides for modification of testing procedures for eligible students. Modifications may include, but are not limited to, the following: flexible scheduling, flexible setting, flexible recording of answers, mechanical aids, revised format and flexible timing. This rule applies to students enrolled in Adult General Education Programs and to students enrolled in Postsecondary Vocational Certificate Education Programs.

ALTERNATIVE TESTING

If the AMES, TABE Complete Battery or Survey forms 7 & 8, TABE-WR, and the WBST do not meet the assessment needs of adult students, one of the following alternative assessment test may be used (Rule 6A-6.014, FAC, General Requirements for Adult Education Program): Adult Language Assessment Scales (A-LAS); Brigance Employability Skills; Brigance Life Skills; Comprehensive Test of Adaptive Behaviors; Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) reading and listening; Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System STRETCH (CASAS); Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System Test for Special Populations (CASAS); Kaufman Functional Academic Skills Test (K-FAST); and Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) English as a Second Language Oral Assessment (ESLOA).

TEST SECURITY

Materials should be kept where only authorized people administering the test have access to them. A teacher or monitor must remain in the room throughout the testing session. It is important that all tests and answer sheets be collected at the end of the testing session.

TESTING AREA

Ideally, a testing area is quiet with no other activity in the area. Good lighting, comfortable seating, and adequate workspace is also needed. It is recommended that approximately three feet of space be allowed between each person taking the test.

TIMING THE TEST

It is recommended that a clock or timer with a bell or signal that can be set for an exact number of minutes be used.

PREPARING THE STUDENTS

It is important to create an atmosphere that is positive and supportive since many students may have either had little experience with testing or have had negative experiences with testing. Explain to students that this test will give them practice in taking tests and provide information to help determine their course of study. Let students know that they are not expected to answer all questions correctly, but encourage students to attempt all items.

PREPARATION PRIOR TO TESTING BY EXAMINER

The examiner should become familiar with the testing schedule, directions for administering the particular test, and sample items on the tests. Read any information included with the test materials about administering a test before giving the test.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE TESTING

The following guidelines will help in testing:

• Check materials to make sure everything that is needed for testing is out before testing session.
• Read directions for completing answer sheet, marking answers, and giving the test.
• Follow the specific directions for administering each test.
• Allow time to answer questions before starting to time each test.
• Make sure students understand directions before starting to time test.
• Check to make sure students are marking only one answer.
• If a break is taken, ask students to put answer sheets in test book and close test book. When students take a break, the teacher or a monitor should stay in the testing room.
• Take up all of the testing materials when the testing session is completed for the day