[Bestplus] Proficiency Form

Tue May 4 17:10:38 EDT 2004

Those are great ideas, Carey.  I don't know if the psychometric ground is
shaky (I like that image!), but I think we would want to avoid practice
testing on students who will need to be pre-tested with BEST Plus in the
near future.  While it's true that the questions vary from test to test,
testers can develop test fatigue from taking a test too often in close
succession, and can affect the reliability of the test. 

Jane

-----Original Message-----
From: Carey Reid [mailto:Carey_Reid at worlded.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 5:03 PM
To: bjstone13 at yahoo.com; JaneS at doe.mass.edu;
Bestplus at lists.literacytent.org
Subject: RE: [Bestplus] Proficiency Form

Betty and Jane, as some of us did, trainees could use a program's
REEP-tested students.  And there was the suggestion that students from
waiting lists could be asked to help out.  I might be on shaky
psychometric grounds, but I think the fact that the BEST+ software
varies test items (and therefore does not require different versions)
would allow a pratice-tested student to be officially tested even a
short time later without distorting their scoring.

Carey.

>>> "Schwerdtfeger, Jane" <JaneS at doe.mass.edu> 5/4/04 4:41:55 PM >>>
Hi, all--it is a lot of students to test, to be sure. But my two cents
would
be what Lynda said to us--that some of the 10 can be colleagues,
family
members, friends, since part of the practice is just getting used to
administering the test and doing it on a computer.  Certainly at least
half
or more (I believe Lynda also added this caveat) should be non-native
English speakers, so they become more familiar with the rubric.  It
might
cut down the numbers a bit, though admittedly not that much.  Perhaps
staggering the 9 staff so they don't do all their 10 practice ones at
the
same time?    Any other thoughts from trainers in training at other
programs?  Marilyn and Andrea, what are you all planning to do?

Jane

-----Original Message-----
From: Betty Stone [mailto:bjstone13 at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 4:34 PM
To: Carey Reid; Bestplus at lists.literacytent.org 
Cc: maria at alri.org; steve at alri.org; suem at qcc.mass.edu;
cbower at necc.mass.edu;
sgabb at bristol.mass.edu 
Subject: Re: [Bestplus] Proficiency Form

Hi All,

Thanks, Carey , for the reminder and the proficiency form. 

I have a logistics question:  If all these new administrators are ging
to
hit the streets at the same time looking for 10 folks to practice test
folks
who will not be formally BEST Plus tested, then where will we find
them
without importing them from Canada or Mexico?

I was pondering this as I recalled scooping the 20 tests for my
practice and
thought of the 6-8 new SCALE BEST Plus administrators that I'd be
training
on June 11th. Even if programs shared students, seems like we needs
hundreds. Maybe we can set up a lemonade stand on Holland Street.
Hmmm.....any suggestions?

Thanks,
Betty

Carey Reid <Carey_Reid at worlded.org> wrote:

Hi folks,

SABES and ACLS folks are trying to come up with an effective and
realistic way for BEST+ test administrators to "recalibrate" after
time
has elapsed between test administrations. CAL has recommended
requiring
an additional 10 practice tests if two months has elapsed between
administrations; however, given the re-testing schedules that most
programs follow to align with DOE policy, that requirement would mean
that administrators would be continually recalibrating. Perhaps it
would be wise to extend the 2-month limit, if possible, to 3 months or
more. Meanwhile, Jane Schwerdtfeger has been discussing with CAL the
possibility of developing a refresher videotape, much like the one
that
is used in BEST+ trainings, for administrators to use in groups at
their
programs. 

While these possiblities are being pursued, please CONTINUE TO USE the
Proficiency Form that I distributed recently. Here it is again for
your
convenience. As you'll note, it states in bold the requirement that
administrators reacquaint themselves with the rubric if more than two
months has elapsed between administrations. It's vague, but the best
we
have for now.

My best,

Carey.

> ATTACHMENT part 2 application/msword name=BEST Plus Proficiency
Development (4-23-04).doc
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Betty J. Stone
ESOL Program Administrator
SCALE - Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences
167 Holland Street, Somerville, MA 02144
Phone: 617-625-6600, Ext. 6933
FAX: 617-623-8528
 <mailto:bjstone13 at yahoo.com> bjstone13 at yahoo.com 

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