[NLA] Is the NRS a violation of the law?

[Steve Gerard]

Deborah,
I can't answer about the legality of the NRS and I don't want to make a
defense of the TABE or any other standardized test, but I would like to
share a bit of our experience over the last two and half years as a
counterpoint to your concerns.

We were mandated into standardized testing almost 3 years ago and did so
kicking and screaming. As the person charged with the responsibility for
implementing this, along the way I was accused of cold-heartedly selling out
my professional principles and my humanity and sometimes the discussions got
meaner and hotter, particularly when the state department of education was
mentioned.

Most of our instruction is done one-to-one by full-time teachers, but we
also do some small classes and use volunteers in some areas. We have six
sites in a variety of urban and rural areas. However even our "urban" areas
would seem pretty rural to most of you.

When we began we had no way of comparing if any of our sites was more
effective than others. We had some outstanding teachers and some adequate
teachers, but no way for anyone to compare teacher outcomes. Discussions of
best practices often became duels of the most moving anecdote.

We used a committee of teachers to monitor and direct the implementation of
standardized testing. We initially decided to use both the TABE and the AMES
and gave our staff a choice of which test they used. Teacher were welcome to
continue to use the Slossan, WADE, Roswell-Chall or whatever, but in only
addition to the TABE or AMES.

Almost three years into the process, we have few raving fans of the TABE,
but we have general, conditional acceptance. Most of our teachers migrated
from the AMES to the TABE before the AMES got hard to get. A number of
teachers who were vehement opponents of standardized testing discovered that
their students were not harmed or tortured by the TABE. They were shocked to
learn that many students actually enjoyed taking it and were pleased to get
detailed feedback on their skill strengths and needs.

I am convinced that the TABE is just a tool, like a hammer or a structured
exercise. A hammer can be used to kill and it can be used to build, but it
is just a tool. When teachers use the TABE badly, students are hurt. When
they use it well, students are strengthened. I think that early on, out of
their frustration, anger and resentment, some of our teachers may have used
the tests badly. However, they are professional enough that when they saw
that using it badly hurt students, they quickly demanded that we show them
how to use it better. Today, with the TABE being used with over 2000
students in our organization, I don't think students are being hurt or
abused with the test. Mostly, they are being given more detailed information
about their academic strengths and needs.

I won't pretend that the angst is over about the TABE, but our discussions
have changed. They have become more data-based and more focused on student
outcomes than educational theory. Our state department of education is
working with us to implement alternative assessments to supplement aspects
of the TABE that don't work for us.

Its not nirvana, but its not Armageddon either.

Steve Gerard
Director of Program Services
Vermont Adult Learning
East Montpelier, VT 05651
(802) 229-5221 ext. 102


----- Original Message -----
From: "Deborah W. Yoho" <dwyoho at earthlink.net>
To: <nla at lists.literacytent.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 10:38 PM
Subject: [NLA] Is the NRS a violation of the law?


Nancy:

I am unsure at this point, but the rumour is that our new state adult ed
director intends to insist that only the TABE will do.  If that happens, we
would be in the same position as you.  I think the policy implication
actually borders on a violation of the law (the WIA):  if states adopt
policies that have the effect of "locking out" CBO's (those who work with
individual learners as opposed to classes), it seems to me the direct and
equitable access clause, at least the spirit of it, has been violated.  In
my discussions with other CBO's here, I am told that the TABE could be
given as an individual test, untimed, as an alternative to the Slosson.  I
think this invalidates the TABE score.  And it certainly leaves the learner
stuck with a paper and pencil torture chamber.  If this is going on to any
great extent, obviously the validity of the data being collected through
the NRS is even more open to question.  The trouble is, unless learners
speak up in opposition to this kind of treatment, and loudly, I think that
these practices, bordering in my opinion on abuse, will continue.

It is indeed a somber thought that eventually my Board may be placed in the
position of choosing between going out of business or contributing to
abusive practice.  The WIA funds account for just over a third of our
budget.  Without that money, we would not be able to afford a full-time
director, and without a full-time director, we lose our United Way funds,
another third of the budget, effectively putting us out of business.  At
the very least, if and when we choose to fight the issue (perhaps through
legal representation) we would contribute to the in-fighting and
fragmentation of an already-ailing system. But who can afford attorneys?

So I shall put the question to this list:  am I being an alarmist here (I
sure hope so)?  Has anyone anywhere already raised the question of whether
the NRS, in its effects, violates the direct and equitable access clause?
If so, what can be done about it?  If not, why not?   Debbie Yoho





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