Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h24KhIP05219; Tue, 4 Mar 2003 15:43:18 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 15:43:18 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <B24038C0D3E160419E320030D92C22DE0125DE29@hobbes.cal.org> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Carol Van Duzer" <carol@cal.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:8734] Re: BEST oral X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 3302 Lines: 27 There are two versions of the original BEST--the long form, with forms B and C and the short form. The long form has over 40 questions and can be used for pre-and post- testing. It takes about 10-20 minutes to administer. It assesses learner proficiency from SPL 0-VII. The short form was developed as a quick placement test and has only 18 items that were taken from the long form. It should not be used for pre and post testing as there are not enough items to gauge progress accurately enough. I believe that in Oregon the short form is used for learners from SPL 0-IV At TESOL, at the end of this month, the BEST Plus will be launched. It is an update of the original BEST. The BEST Plus is available in two versions--computer adaptive and print based. Each version is still a face-to-face oral interview. In the computer-adaptive version, the test items are delivered via a computer. The test administrator asks the examinee a question presented on the computer screen, listens to the examinee's response, determines the score for that item, and enters the score into the computer. The computer then selects the next test item, choosing items most appropriate for the examinee according to the scores entered for each response. The only time the examinee sees the computer screen is if the test item involves a picture. At the end of each interview, the computer automatically generates a score report. This report includes the examinee's scaled score, SPL Level, National Reporting System (NRS) level, and sub-scores for listening comprehension, language complexity, and communication. The time it takes to administer this version of the test ranges from 5-15 minutes, depending upon the ability level of the examinee. Generally, examinees with higher language proficiency have more to say, increasing the testing time. In the print-based version, a quick locator test determines the level of test items (1, 2, or 3) that will most efficiently determine the functioning level of the examinee. These items are arranged in fixed-form level tests. The test administrator asks the examinee each item on the level test, scores the items, and marks the score on a score sheet. When the test is completed, the test administrator can total up the score to receive an estimate of the examinee's proficiency. A more precise level can be determined by entering the score data into a simple computer program that generates the same score report as the computer adaptive version. The print-based version of the test takes approximately 10-12 minutes to administer. There are three forms of the print-based version so that pre- and post- tests can be administered without compromising the validity of the test. Both versions are able to assess learner proficiency from SPL 0-X For both the computer-adaptive and print-based versions, the test administrator uses the same rubric to guide scoring decisions. As with the original BEST, training is required. The BEST Plus will be available from the Center for Applied Linguistics in late March 2003. So keep checking the the BEST Plus web page at http://www.cal.org/BEST/compbest.htm. Carol Carol H. Van Duzer National Center for ESL Literacy Education Center for Applied Linguistics 202-362-0700 carol@cal.org visit our website at www.cal.org/ncle
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