NLA Discussion: NRS Assessment Issues

[Ira Yankwitt]

Hi Larry-

Our understanding in New York is that the only educational outcome for
students in level 6 is attainment of the GED.  If the GED test itself is
considered appropriate "for assessing educational progress" and  "measuring
gains in educational level," why not the GED practice test?  More
importantly, if the goal for level 6 is attainment of the GED, shouldn't
the test that determines placement in that level be the test that measures
proximity to the goal?

Ira Yankwitt 
<iray at lacnyc.org>


At 12:53 PM 5/17/01 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi David -
>
>This is in response to your questions about tests and assessment on the NLA
>Listserv.
>
>The NRS does not have "approved" tests.  The NRS Guidelines list tests as
>examples of what can be used and how students at each educational
>functioning level would score on the tests.  As stated on P. 40 of the March
>2001 NRS Implementation Guidelines:
>
>"...tests are offered only as examples and their inclusion does not imply
>that these tests must or should be used in the determination of educational
>functioning levels."
>(Guidelines are available at http://www.air.org/nrs/DraftGuidelines.htm).
>
>It is the state role to establish assessment policies.  If a state wishes to
>use TALS or any other type of assessment, it may due so as long as the
>assessment and procedures are valid and reliable, staff administering the
>assessments are trained appropriately and that the scores from the
>assessment can be mapped to NRS educational functioning levels.  Chapter
>III, pages 31-36 of the NRS Guidelines explains this and other roles of
>states within the NRS. 
>
>It is my understanding that the Division of Adult Education and Literacy
>will soon commission a project to the National Academy of Sciences to set
>criteria for determining valid and reliable criteria for assessments that
>states may then use to develop their own assessments and to help them select
>appropriate assessments.  
>
>The Department of Education removed the GED practice tests from the list of
>tests on the advice of several assessment experts who claimed the test is
>not appropriate for assessing educational progress.  The Education
>Department did not want to include a sample test that was not appropriate
>for measuring gains in educational level. However, the Department is
>consulting with ACE and others to determine whether and/or in what
>circumstances practice GED tests can be used as achievement tests.  If this
>is an appropriate use for these tests, they will may put the practice tests
>back on the list.
>
>Larry Condelli 
><LCondelli at air.org>
>
>
>
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Ira Yankwitt
Director of Adult Literacy Services
Literacy Assistance Center
(212) 803-3356
iray at lacnyc.org


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