Ryan - in response to your inquiry about using the TABE test in a literacy 
program, based upon our recent research (4,567 adult education and literacy 
students from 13 states in 108 programs, 2003 - 2006) on the incidence of special 
learning needs in adult education here are some things I think you should be 
thinking about:

1.  About 4-5 out of every 10 adults in literacy and basic education programs 
have a vision function problem - mostly near vision and binocularity (using 
the two eyes together for sustained reading).

2.  Between 7 to 8 out of every 10 adults in literacy and basic education 
programs have attention challenges and will begin to loose comprehension and 
struggle with time-on-task.

3.  About 8 to 9 out of every 10 adults in literacy and basic education 
programs have issues with bright overhead lights, white paper and black letters 
(too much glare, letters move or go in and out of focus, difficulties with 
following lines within paragraphs AND great difficulty with filling in bubble sheets 
accurately) - the TABE is on white paper - has black letters and uses a 
bubble sheet answer form.  This key (and little known) learning challenge is call 
visual stress syndrome (VSS) or scotopic sensitivity.

4.  About 4 out of every 10 adults in literacy and basic education programs 
already have a diagnosis of 'Learning Disability' with about 6 to 7 out of 10 
that could, if not already, be diagnosed as having a some type of learning 
disability.  We all know the legal issues re: ADA, IDEA, Section 504, etc., and 
the need to provide accommodations and adaptations...right?

Consequently, in administration of the TABE there are some key issues that 
must be addressed OR the adult learner will not be able to demonstrate 'what 
they know' on the TABE due to the way the test materials are presented.

CTB McGraw-Hill (publisher of the TABE) has known that there needs to be 
special accommodations and adaptations made for adults with special learning needs 
- most of which could be ID'd as 'disabilities' if the resources were 
available for neuro-psychological testing.  EVEN without such diagnostic testing 
being available for a formal diagnosis, CTB McGraw-Hill has a created a set of 
accommodations and adaptations for inclusion of all adults to better show what 
they know on the TABE test.

The Guidelines for Inclusive Test Administration IS NOT often referred to by 
either TABE trainers, in TABE materials or by the CTB McGraw-Hill sales 
force....so, this document isn't widely circulated - BUT IT DOES EXIST! 

The Guidelines have been included as part of the conversation in conference 
sessions in adult education via The National Association for Adults with 
Special Learning Needs (NAASLN) at both NAASLN conferences, as part of preconference 
information in NAASLN sponsored pre-conferences, and in NAASLN conference 
sessions tracks at COABE and CEA. 

Below is the link to this Guide.  I believe it is a huge disservice to all of 
our literacy and adult basic education students/customers IF ACCOMMODATIONS 
and ADAPTATIONS ARE NOT MADE POSSIBLE in ALL learning situations and especially 
in testing.


Guidelines for Inclusive Test Administration 2005
http://www.ctb.com/articles/article_information.jsp?CO
NTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673254933&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474395222381&
ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395213825&bmUID=1195562339042

Laura Weisel, Ph.D.,
Clinical Services
The TLP Group*
PO Box 21510
Columbus, OH  43221
614.850.8677
dr.weisel at powerpath.com

*The TLP Group is a social entrepreneurial company that uses traditional 
entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage ventures for creating 
needed social change to address recognized social problems.  The social 
entrepreneurial company often tackles social problems that have not been successfully 
solved by traditional government or nonprofit initiatives.    

The TLP Group works in partnership with state departments, universities, c
olleges, communities, community providers and institutional providers.  By 
combining the best of talents, the most effective use of resources, and the latest 
evidence based research, The TLP Group is dedicated to making a dramatic impact 
on service delivery and client outcomes.





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