[Bestplus] BEST Plus information in the ACLS February Monthly Mailing

[Schwerdtfeger, Jane]

Hi, everyone, how are you?  I wanted to send this information to you
directly, as well as have it in the ACLS monthly mailing.  

1. The Center for Applied Linguistics now allows transfers of test
administrations from one computer to another. They explain how at
<http://www.cal.org/bestplus/testtransfer.html>, and the information is also
included in the latest version (FEB 2005) of the Test Administration Guide
in section IV, pages 7-8.

2. Programs that send individuals to be trained in using BEST Plus are now
credited 10 BEST Plus computer-adaptive test administrations for each
approved administrator. These administrations will allow authentic practice
with students using the red BEST Plus Test CD. Practice of this kind is
crucial when one is first learning how to correctly administer and score
BEST Plus. The free test administrations will be available for a period of 3
months after the date of the training workshop. If after such time a program
has not activated these administrations, they will expire and no longer be
available for activation. (Note to trainers: programs automatically get the
10 free administrations once CAL receives the approved Test Administrator
Registration forms from trainers. CAL encourages us all to get the
registration forms in right away after the training for this purpose!)

If practitioners have questions about this policy, please contact BEST Plus
User Support via phone at 1-866-845-BEST (2378), option 1, or via email at
best-plus at cal.org.

3. The Center for Applied Linguistics has also added an "Announcements" link
on the BEST Plus website. Go to the link,
<http://www.cal.org/bestplus/announce/index.html>,  and see the revised
National Reporting System's (NRS) ESOL Student Performance Level descriptors
(SPLs) that replaces the old chart in the Feb 2005 Test Administration
Guides in section III.  Please call BEST Plus User Support at 1-866-845-BEST
(2378), option 1, or email best-plus at cal.org <mailto:best-plus at cal.org> to
request your complimentary copy of the updated Section III materials.

4. Trained test administrators may now activate their purchased test
administrations online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To use the new
automated system, visit the online activation page
<http://www.cal.org/bestplus/BPOnlineActivation/index.aspx>. To login, a
test administrator must provide their email address and customer number as
well password. All programs were sent their unique customer number from CAL
this summer, but please call CAL toll-free at 1-866-834-BEST (2378) if you
need assistance in obtaining your customer number or experience any
difficulties in using the online activation process. 

If you have any questions, please let me know--thanks!

Jane Schwerdtfeger