Question: Based upon assessment results, what are ABE learners' strengths and needs in comprehension?

Comprehension assessment practices are divided into three categories:

• All Adults
• Adults in ESOL classes
• Adults with Learning Disabilities

Quick Summary of the Comprehension Assessment Research and Implications for Practice

Comprehension is the only major topic area where at least one practice has been derived from the research in each of the assessment subtopics: all adults, adults with LD (Learning Disabilities), and ESOL adults. Although there are several studies that evaluate ABE students' reading comprehension ability, practices come mostly from a recent, large-scale national study of U.S. adults' reading comprehension. In addition, comprehension is the only major topic area where research was found that begins to consider questions related to the quality of the tests used for assessment.

Assessment Reminder: Reading comprehension is typically assessed by asking students to read and answer questions about what they have read. Typical formats for questions include multiple-choice, short answer, and cloze or fill-in-the-blank. Student knowledge of specific comprehension strategies, such as asking questions while reading, writing summaries, or creating outlines, can be assessed by observing students as they read, or asking them about the strategies they use.