Heide Spruck Wrigley, Ph.D. Workforce Summit, Austin TX 2008 What works in workplace literacy?
Assessment, not just testing Anson Green Adult Education and Literacy Texas Workforce Commission *
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Transcript of Assessment, not just testing Anson Green Adult Education and Literacy Texas Workforce Commission *
Assessment, not just testing
Anson GreenAdult Education and Literacy
Texas Workforce Commission*
One of our challenges…
…adult education lacks a comprehensive student
assessment approach
Notice I said “assessment”
We do a lot of “testing” in adult education, but we do very little
“assessment.”
DefinedTesting
• Objective: Academic placement and progress
• Results: Remediation gaps and progress
• Psychological impact: Often results in trepidation, fear, worry
Structured Assessment
• Objective: Identify areas of strength, weakness, interests and goals
• Results: Qualitative information on goals, support needs, and ability to commit to program requirements
• Psychological impact: Builds commitment and rapport
The pitfalls of standard “assessment” models
• Lack of preparation• Lack of exposure to standardized assessment
process and protocols – There is only one right answer– Bubble in the answer
• Still only a slice of knowledge, skills, abilities• Sends a message to students on “what
matters”
Poor or no structured assessment is one reason programs may have weak retention and transition rates.
While these qualitative aspects are often covered in orientations, it is not always well documented nor communicated to instructors or built into learning plans.
What programs have found that works
Testing Structured Interview
What programs have found that works
Testing Structured Interview
“Structured” means that all staff follow a protocol, collect the same information, and use that information to develop strategies and learning plans.
What programs have found that works
Testing Structured Interview
Holistic Assessment
What programs have found that works
Testing
Life Experience
Work Expe-rience
Support Needs
Educational Experience
What do we measure?Assessment, not just testing
Testing
Life Experience
Work Expe-rience
Support Needs
Educational Experience
What do we measure?Assessment, not just testing
TABE, GAIN, BEST Plus, TSI etc…
Testing
Life Experience
Work Expe-rience
Support Needs
Educational Experience
What do we measure?Assessment, not just testing
Structured interview
Assessment, not just testing
Anson GreenAdult Education and Literacy
Texas Workforce Commission*