Return-Path: <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id OAA07755; Tue, 2 May 2000 14:01:54 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 2 May 2000 14:01:54 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <v01540b03b534c4b79078@[167.160.201.158]> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: jcurtis@svn.net (Jane Curtis) To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:2891] Re: CASAS usage X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Status: O Content-Length: 6460 Lines: 148 Lori We are a library-based adult literacy program in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. We have been using the CASAS reading assessment for initial intake and 6-month follow-up. We don't use the official appraisal because it's too hard and it's *another* test. During our initial interview, the student talks with our coordinator and is asked to do a little writing. Based on these interactions, the coordinator determines which level CASAS is appropriate. She's right-on 95% of the time because the learners score within the accurate range. Some learners take the pre-literacy level PA27 and 28. There is, however, quite a jump between this and the level A31, as there is in most series. But since the CASAS scaled score is supposedly transferrable from one assessment level to the next, we can accurately predict the appropriate post level even if the learner tested out on the intial one. Hope this helps. Jane Curtis Marin Literacy Program San Rafael Public Library San Rafael, California jcurtis@svn.net Lori Edelman wrote: >> >>Our program has been using the CASAS life skills reading series for pre-post >>testing of our students and for the most part we've been happy with it. >>There is one major problem that we all have with the system. The official >>appraisal is far too advanced for many of our students, and doesn't seem to >>provide adequate/appropriate screening for entry and further testing. I am >>desperately searching for a better option. We would like to be able to >>quickly determine which of the life skills test levels we should administer >>to the students upon entry into our program. Is there anyone out there who >>has found a successful assessment that helps screen for the CASAS. > > >Others will probably answer you more completely than I can. But there is >such a thing as the Florida Plan, which is worth checking out. And when >we've discussed it, it seems that you can use the BEST as a rough screening. >I too find that the Form 20 Sorter is too advanced. Basically, if they can >do a BEST at a level 3 or higher, give them the Form 33 (Level B), and if >below that, give them the Form 31 (Level A). If they are scoring 4 or above >on the BEST, they should be able to do the Form 20. > >Haven't actually tried this yet, or at least exactly like this, but have >pretty much given up on the Form 20, and am making my own best guess. There >are other quick assessments as well, but if you are using the BEST, this >works as a rough and ready beginning. It's not perfect, as speaking and >listening ability doesn't always correlate with reading ability, but it is >an approximate indicator. > >Sylvan Rainwater . Portland, OR USA . sylrain@teleport.com >-------------------------------------------------------------- > > >------------------------------ > >Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2000 11:30:14 -0400 >From: ssbeiers@bellsouth.net >To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov >Subject: Re: CASAS usage >Message-ID: <390C5186.A25F6950@bellsouth.net> > >Lori, > >Several years ago our program used the Slosson Word Test as a screening to >determine grade level in reading before giving TABE. This test is simply a word >recall test. It does not measure the student's ability to read words in >context. >My reading files are at the center so I don't have the resource for this test. >You might try calling your local Literacy Association as I think they use the >Slosson for their initial screening. > >Carolyn Beiers >Family Learning Team >Greenville, SC > >Lori Edelman wrote: > >> Our program has been using the CASAS life skills reading series for pre-post >> testing of our students and for the most part we've been happy with it. >> There is one major problem that we all have with the system. The official >> appraisal is far too advanced for many of our students, and doesn't seem to >> provide adequate/appropriate screening for entry and further testing. I am >> desperately searching for a better option. We would like to be able to >> quickly determine which of the life skills test levels we should administer >> to the students upon entry into our program. Is there anyone out there who >> has found a successful assessment that helps screen for the CASAS. >> >> Lori Edelman >> Literacy Partners Inc. > > > > >------------------------------ > >Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2000 12:04:40 EDT >From: BRmidwest@aol.com >To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov >Subject: Re: CASAS usage >Message-ID: <d3.3be3a18.263db398@aol.com> > >Our center offers literacy and GED classes for adults who are native speakers >of English (not ESL). We have used the SORT (Slosson Oral Reading Test). It >has the advantage of being quick and easy to administer, and we believe it >gives an extremely rough estimate of someone's reading level. It is a word >RECOGNITION test, consisting of about 12 lists of unrelated words, beginning >with simple one-and two-syllable words like "see" and "puppy" and advancing >to more difficult, obscure words like "facsimile" and "dungeon." It does not >test reading comprehension. If someone can't get through the first list, you >know that person probably needs to begin at the beginning. (The score >computes to below 1.0.) If someone reads nearly every word perfectly, you >suspect he or she may be too advanced for your program--or at least is ready >for the highest level you offer. (The score computes to 12--or above? I can't >remember if it goes to 12.9.) Between the two extremes, it does not seem to >be terribly accurate in discriminating reading level, at least as compared to >the TABE. In order to accurately and validly determine which level of the >TABE to administer, you need to use the TABE locater test. >Betsy Rubin >Blue Gargoyle Adult and Family Learning Programs >Chicago > >------------------------------ > >Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2000 12:30:26 EDT >From: Paul Rogers <ingleshoy@juno.com> >To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov >Subject: effects of anti-immigration laws >Message-ID: <20000430.092749.4519.0.InglesHoy@juno.com> > >I am doing some research on the issue of the new "reform" of the >immigration laws, and also that of English Only legislation and the >dismantling of bilingual education. >And I would like to know if anyone has any comments on what effect on ESL >classes all of this might have. >Paul Rogers > > >INGLES HOY >Libros y cassettes para aprender ingles > >------------------------------ > >End of NIFL-FAMILY Digest 1186 >******************************
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