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CASAS Training Topics. What is CASAS? How do I fill out the CASAS forms? How do I administer CASAS tests? How do I interpret scores for CASAS tests?. What is CASAS?. C omprehensive A dult S tudent A ssessment S ystem
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CASAS Training Topics • What is CASAS? • How do I fill out the CASAS forms? • How do I administer CASAS tests? • How do I interpret scores for CASAS tests?
What is CASAS? Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System • CASAS is a series of tests to assess the adult learner, including native English speakers and limited English proficiency students. • Each test series is designed to serve a different population (i.e. developmentally disabled, limited English proficiency, workforce students, life skills students, etc.)
CASAS Testing Process • Entry Record (same day as student is assigned) • Determine appropriate pre-test. • Pretest (same day as student is assigned) • Instruction • Posttest (after at least 12 hours of instruction; 80 to 100 hours is recommended by CASAS) • Update Record (same day as posttest or student unassigned)
Mock Student Profile Kon Vicht, CDC number A00123, has been assigned to your class since April Fool’s Day 2006. He was born on Pearl Harbor Day 1969. His ethnicity/race is white and he has spoken English all of his life. He was arrested during his senior year of high school and wants to get his GED while in your class. You find out that his TABE reading score is 6.7.
Please! Be sure that you have checked all bubbles on the Entry Record before it is submitted to the CASAS Coordinator!
Common Errors on Entry Records • CDC number letter not converted to correct two-digit number • Dates—day is not two digits • Instructional program is other than Basic Skills (ABE), ESL, ESL/Citizenship, GED, or High School Diploma • Labor force status is other than unemployed • Instructional level missing
Invalid vs. Incomplete • Invalid—starred field is missing or incorrect (record will be red in TOPSpro) • Incomplete—unstarred field is missing or incorrect (record will be yellow in TOPSpro)
Choosing an Appropriate Pretest • There are several ways to choose a pretest: • Appraisal test (CASAS recommended) • TABE score • Instructional level or program
Mock Student Profile Kon Vicht is ready to take his first CASAS test.
Choosing an Appropriate Pretest • There are several ways to choose a pretest: • Appraisal test (CASAS recommended) • TABE score • Instructional level or program
Please! Be sure that you have checked all bubbles on the Test Record before it is submitted to the CASAS Coordinator!
Common Errors on Test Records • CDC number bubbled incorrectly • Dates—day is not two digits • Form number does not have leading zero • Hours of instruction is missing on posttest
Reports • Most common reports • Student Competency Report (for student) • Class Competency Report (for teacher) • Learning Gains: First to High (for teacher) • Suggested Next Test Level (for teacher) • Student Gains by Class Report (for teacher and/or administrator)
Hours of Instruction • Teachers should use their instructional time to teach areas of weakness on CASAS tests. CASAS reports can help teachers identify weaknesses for individual students or whole classes. • For a pretest, leave the hours of instruction blank on the test record. • For a posttest, record the number of hours since the last test.
Choosing an Appropriate Posttest Form 083 Form 084 Form 084 Form 083 Form 083 Form 185 Pretest scale scores marked with a indicate that the student needs to be moved up a level on the next test.
Inappropriate Posttests Form 083 Form 083 Form 083 Form 081
How Students Earn Benchmarks Each student can earn one of each of the following benchmarks, for a total of three possible benchmarks per student per fiscal year. Benchmark #1: Student makes a “significant learning gain”. CASAS score of: 210 and below—student must increase 5+ points between tests 211 and above—student must increase 3+ points between tests Example: Inmate Vicht earns a score of 191 on the CASAS pretest. On a future test, he earns a score of 198. He has earned a benchmark for increasing more than 5 points.
How Students Earn Benchmarks Benchmark #2: Student moves two levels, as designated below. • 180 and below • 181—190 • 191—200 • 201—210 • 211—220 • 221—235 • 236—245 • 246 and above Example: Inmate Vicht earns a score of 206 on the CASAS pretest. Later he tests again and earns a score of 221. He has earned a benchmark for moving two levels (he started in the 201—210 level and moved up to the 221—235 level).
How Students Earn Benchmarks Benchmark #3: Student earns a GED or High School Diploma NOTE: You should never fill in the bubbles for “Passed GED” or “Earned high school diploma.” The Testing Staff will take care of that situation.
Mock Student Profile It is the end of the program year. You fill out an Update Record for inmate Kon Vicht, CDC number A00123. As you look back on the year you recall that he learned about the skills required to run a small business, interacted with his children, encouraging them to do well in school, and joined a self help group. His TABE scores also went up significantly.