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*