Oral Administration of the TABE

1. Oral Administration of the TABE READER Guidelines and Considerations

2. Required Reader Training https://simon.jobcorps.org Requires same User Name and Password as your Citrix login.

3. Policy Basis • Reference: PRH Chapter 3: Appendix 301 • If centers use a test reader, that person must be trained (i.e. see requirement in #2) to provide oral administrations of standardized content. • Staff members who serve as readers must successfully complete the required training in SIMON annually.

4. Legal Basis Americans with Disabilities Act • Qualified Reader Defined: • Under the ADA, a qualified reader means a person who is able to read: • effectively, • accurately, and • impartially using any necessary specialized vocabulary. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-21821.htm

5. Legal Basis (cont.) • Providing Qualified Interpreters and Qualified Readers: • To be qualified, an interpreter must be able to convey: • communications effectively, accurately, and impartially, and • use any necessary specialized vocabulary. (28 C.F.R. § 35.104) (U.S. Department of Justice, ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments, Chapter 3, General Effective Communication Requirements Under Title II of the ADA, at http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap3toolkit.htm).

6. Things to Consider • Communicating effectively and accurately • Examples to consider: • Dialect • Phrasing • Pronunciation • Communicating impartially • Examples to consider: • Use of non-verbal cues • Use of voice cues (lilts, emphasis, etc.)

7. Who Qualifies for an Oral Administration of the TABE? • A student who is a person with a disability and who has a documented need for oral administration or whose impairment makes it obvious that there is a barrier to accessing the test content.

8. Documentation of Disability • For example, • A student who has a learning disability coupled with a documented history of an accommodation for oral administration of exams or other valid psychological test data that supports the need for the use of this support. • A student who has low vision or blindness.

9. Documentation (cont.) • Keep in mind that the center must have some valid documentation indicating why the individual student is receiving an oral administration of the exam related to their disability. • There is no list of specific disabilities that qualifies an individual for an oral administration accommodation. Each student’s request for or agreement of the need for an oral administration must be decided on a case by case basis and must be supported by appropriate documentation unless the need is obvious, i.e. the person is blind.

10. Accommodation Plan • This accommodation should be clearly identified on the student’s Job Corps Accommodation Plan. TABE: Proctor Read Test

11. ELL Students • Students who are English Language Learners are not entitled to oral administration of the TABE unless they have a corresponding documented disability that warrants the provision of such an accommodation.

12. Standardization • Centers are encouraged to use the McGraw-Hill audiotape option for oral administration of the TABE tests whenever possible. The use of the audiotape better ensures the standardization of the test administration.

13. Standardization (cont.) • If the McGraw-Hill audiotaped version of the TABE test is not being used, the center must ensure that a qualified reader is providing the oral administration of the exam and that test integrity is maintained.

14. What is a Reader? • A reader is a person who reads the test to the test-takeror who provides an oral administration of the tests.

15. Who is a Qualified Reader • A qualified reader communicates written or typed information that is not otherwise accessible with technology. The term “qualified” simply means that the person is capable of clearly reading the information and is familiar with the terminology of the subject matter. (Job Accommodation Network)

16. Considerations for a Reader • Remember, Under the ADA, a qualified reader means a person who is able to read effectively, accurately, and impartially using any necessary specialized vocabulary. • A reader • reads the test directions, questions, and answer choices to the test-taker verbatim. • does not interpret, re-word, or explain the test questions. • maintains a neutral inflection and tone while reading.

17. Considerations for a Reader • A reader • does not use non-verbal gestures or cues to inadvertently provide hints or clues as to the correct answer. • speaks in a clear, understandable manner • reads the test content fluently. • ensures the security of the test content (i.e. limits the presence of others during the delivery of the oral administration, follows center protocols for maintenance of the test materials, if applicable).

18. Let’s Review – Accommodation Basics • Acceptable accommodation? • Clarify test questions. • Clarify test directions. • Provide synonym or other substitute vocabulary word for specific word in test content. • Define a vocabulary word in test content. • Provide oral administration in presence of other test-takers not receiving this accommodation. • Provide oral administration to ELL students.

19. Resources • Lynne Fry, National Office of Job Corps • fry.lynne@dol.gov • 202-693-3101 • Job Accommodation Network, Accommodation and Compliance Series, “Testing Accommodations.” • www.askjan.org • 800-526-7234