[Bestplus] Final version of newest policies

[Carey Reid]

Hi gang,

We're hearing great things about your trainings.  Thanks so much!

We've finalized policies recently sent to you in an interim version. 
Please take the time to read them through because there are some
differences from what you've seen earlier.


1. The boilerplate paragraph on attendance and trainees' required skill
levels has been revised to include familiarity with computer, keyboard,
and mouse.  CACs will use this paragraph in written and oral
communications with potential registrants: 

"To receive this training, a practitioner must have an English fluency
level of SPL 9 or above.  Administering the best plus requires that the
test administrator have a comfortable level of facility with computers;
that is, she/he must be able to use a keyboard and operate a mouse with
relative ease. We require that once a practitioner has registered for a
BEST Plus training that she or he makes every effort to attend. SABES
will be offering only a limited number of these state-required trainings
between now and June 30th; in addition, these trainings are hands-on,
involving the use of computer hardware and specialized software. For
these reasons, rescheduling for no-shows cannot be guaranteed. 
Furthermore, because this training has only limited follow-up,
participants may not be more than 20 minutes late and cannot leave early
for whatever reason.  If a registered participant knows that she/he can
not attend her/his scheduled training, or cannot meet the punctuality
requirements, she/he should alert the RSC immediately."

2.  If a trainee shows up more than 20 minutes late, she or he is not
to be allowed to attend the training.  The trainee in question should be
politely but firmly turned away: e.g., "I'm sorry, but we were told in
no uncertain terms that anyone more than 20 minutes late cannot be
admitted to the training as she or he will not be able to meet the basic
requirements for certification." They should be referred to their
regional CAC.  

3.  Make it clear as well that everyone is expected to stay until the
end of the training.  Also, be VERY clear about lunch and break time
limits.  State them twice.  Make it clear that if someone seriously
violates any of these limits you have been instructed to ask him or her
to leave the training and to contact the regional CAC.  

4. At the beginning of the training, please make the following
announcement to all trainees:  "You will receive a Certificate of
Completion for participating in this six-hour training.  However, you
will still need to do 10 practice tests before you can administer any
tests for reporting learning gain.  Also, if I think that any of you
needs extra support to be certified, I will arrange for a CAC to contact
you before you begin your 10 practice tests."  Award a certificate to
everyone who attends the entire training, even those who exhibit
difficulties.  On the sign-in sheet, or on an appended note, make sure
to explain about anyone who exhibited difficulties so that the regional
CAC can do follow-up.  This is their job and they are good at it.

5.  In cases where you provide on-the-spot remediation or
recommendations--e.g. that a particular trainee do 20 rather than 10
practice administrations--be sure to describe on the sign-in sheet or in
an appended note what transpired so a CAC can follow-up if she or he
decides such action is needed.  On-the-sport remediation or
recommendations are appreciated but please do not infer that they are
required or expected.   

My best,


Carey Reid
Staff Development Specialist--Licensure & Assessment
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SABES Central Resource Center
World Education, Inc.
44 Farnsworth Street
Boston, MA  02215
617-482-9485
617-482-0617 (FAX)
<creid at worlded.org>