TAESP Status Update
The Texas Adult Education Standards Project (TAESP) is more than half
way through the third phase of the project, which began in July 2005
and will continue until June 2006. Here is what we have accomplished
to date and what we hope to achieve in the coming months.
Benchmarks Developed (July – November 2005)
The three writing teams formed from 26 adult education practitioners
from all across Texas succeeded in developing the draft benchmarks
for the standards they were assigned. The listening/speaking team developed
the benchmarks for the standards listen actively
and speak so others can understand; the reading/writing team developed
the benchmarks for the standards read with understanding
and convey ideas in writing; and the math team developed the benchmarks for the
standard use math to solve problems and communicate.
Pilot Field Test in Progress (January – March 2006)
Currently, 12 adult education teachers, again from all across Texas,
are trying out the benchmarks in a controlled field test. The goals
are to collect preliminary data from teachers on how effective the
benchmarks are in the field and what types of professional development
will be needed in order to teach with benchmarks.
Analyze Data and Modify Benchmarks (March – May 2006)
After the field test completes in mid-March, the TAESP project staff
will analyze the data collected and present the findings to the writing
team members when they convene once more in May 2006. The findings
will guide the teams in determining if and how to modify the benchmarks
in order to produce a more robust set ready for the statewide field
test in fall 2006.
OVAE Needs Assessment and Evaluation
of Warehouse Website (January 2006)
On a related note, in January this year, the TAESP staff members were
invited to participate in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education
(OVAE) needs assessment of future technical assistance to states.
The TAESP staff and writing team members were also invited to help
evaluate the Content
Standards Warehouse website.
As we look ahead, our goals for the next phase will be to conduct the
second and final statewide field test in fall 2006 and modify the benchmarks
as needed in spring 2007 for implementing them in the future. For more
information about this project, please go to http://www-tcall.tamu.edu/tscf/index.htm.
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