Using the Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
in Texas Adult Education and Family Literacy Programs

Participant Handouts from TETN Broadcast Training
Conducted by Dr. Deborah Stedman for Texas LEARNS
November 21, 2003

TABE TETN AGENDA
Friday, Nov. 21, 1-5 pm

CONTACT INFORMATION

Deborah Stedman
Assistant Professor
Texas State University
email: stedman01@austin.rr.com
Campus office: (512) 245-7861
Home office: (512) 444-9379

Using TABE

• TABE is part of the Texas Adult Education Assessment System
• An assessment system was mandated by HB 1640 during the 74th Texas State Legislature
• HB 1640 required that all adult education participants be assessed. This includes all parents in Even Start programs.
• Texas chose to include standardized tests in the assessment system.
• However, assessment does not include only standardized tests.
• Rather, standardized tests should be considered part of the student's portfolio.
• Assessment makes use of a variety of assessment strategies (e.g., curriculum assessments, informal reading inventories, GED Practice Tests).
• The Assessment System includes the use of the Basic English Skills Test (BEST) for assessment of ESL learners; and
• The TABE for learners in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Adult Secondary Education (ASE) programs

Q: When do we use the assessments?
A: Students are to be assessed when they enter the program. Assessment results are used to "place" the student in an appropriate program and class. This is called Baseline Assessment.

Baseline Assessment

• The best time to administer the Baseline Assessment is during Student Orientation.
• Orientation includes students setting goals for themselves in regard to their education program.
• Baseline assessment provides them information that is useful in setting realistic goals.

Q: So we only test once, at the beginning?
A: Assessment should be an on-going process. In regard to the TABE, it is also used for Progress Assessment.

Q: What is Progress Assessment?
A: Progress assessment attempts to measure what the student has learned during the program.

Progress Assessment

• Progress assessment should occur after a substantial period of instruction.
• Students should know that progress tests will occur. Students want to know how they are doing.
• Don't test too soon! You want the tests to show progress.

Discussion Topics

In a small group (2-4 people), discuss the following:

• WHAT may happen if you test too soon?
• WHY is it important not to test too soon?
• What is a "substantial" period of instruction?

Questions So Far?

Progress Testing

• All TABE instruments are survey tests. This means they measure broad chunks of learning.
• TABE cannot measure small gains.
• 40 hours of instruction is an absolute MINIMUM. 40 hours of instruction between baseline and progress is not recommended.
• The more hours of instruction between baseline and progress testing, the better.
• 60, 70 or 80 hours or more is better.

Discussion Topics

1. What are the implications of longer periods of instruction between baseline and progress testing?

2. How can you arrange baseline and progress testing to make sure the hours are there but that you get the testing done?

3. is progress testing important?

Questions?

• TABE tests are norm-referenced and standardized;
• Each TABE test is multiple choice format;
• Each TABE tests measures the application of skills in a "functional" (real world) context;
• Each TABE test is normed solely on adults.

Functional Context?

• Real-world, everyday life skills, including critical thinking.
• Documents and forms that are familiar;
• Published materials that reflect cultural diversity;
• Vocabulary embedded in authentic texts;
• Reference items that measure the ability to find and use information.
• The Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE)

The Texas Adult Education Assessment System currently uses:

• TABE Forms 7 & 8 and
• TABE Español.

TABE 7 & 8 include subtests in: Reading, Mathematics (Computation and Applied Mathematics), and Language.

TABE Español includes subtests in: Reading and Mathematics. TABE Español has only one form.

The TABE Reading Subtest…

• Measures basic reading skills in life-skill and academic contexts.
Includes beginning reading skills appropriate for adults.

• Items measure prose and document literacy, such as reading diagrams, maps, charts, tables, forms, and consumer labels.


• The test measures vocabulary skills as part of the reading process which supports holistic teaching.

The TABE Mathematics Subtest…

• The Mathematics Computation and Applied Mathematics subtests measure mathematical skills and concepts useful for adult life and work.
• Test contexts include measuring and cooking, budgeting, comparison shopping, and interpreting data.
• Like the Reading subtest, Applied Math uses real-life documents to enhance content and make the test more relevant to daily life.

The TABE Language Subtest...

• Measures skills needed to communicate effectively on the job and in daily life.
• Supports and reinforces adult writing instruction at all levels.
• Integrates skill assessment in mechanics, usage, sentence formation, and paragraph development.
• Most items focus directly on problem areas typically encountered when adults write.

TABE 7 & 8 has several levels:

• Level L (pre-reading and reading only)
• Level E
• Level M
• Level D
• Level A

• Level E
• Level M

A Frequently Asked Question:

Q: How will I know which level of TABE to use?
A: Use the TABE Locator!

More Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What's a Locator?
A: A quick screening test that helps teachers select the correct TABE level.

Q: How quick is quick?
A: Reading: approx. 18 min., Math: approx. 16 min., Language: approx. 15 min.

And …

Q: Why is it such a big deal to use the right level?
A: To keep the standard error of measurement as low as possible.

The WHAT????

• All test scores have error associated with them.


• The SEM is an estimate of the error.


• The SEM varies according to where the learner's score falls in the range of the test.


• If the score is near the floor or near the ceiling the SEM will be larger than if it is near the middle.

• The smaller the SEM, the more accurate the score. The more accurate the score, the higher the chance that progress will be shown.


• The locator helps keep the SEM as low as possible.

Using the Locator is time well-spent!

The Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE)

Frequently Asked Question:

Q: When do I use which?
A: This is the local program's decision.

• Use the Complete Battery when you need detailed objective mastery information and you have three hours.
• Use the Survey if you have less testing time, if you are "screening" for program entry/exit, or "broad-brush" information is sufficient.

Using the TABE in Adult Education Assessment

Population Functional Level	Initial Basic Skills Screening	Baseline Assessment	Progress Assessment
Beginning Literacy ABE (based upon ability to complete initial enrollment information)	TABE Word List	TABE Form 7 Level L	TABE Form 8
Beginning ABE, Low and High Intermediate ABE & Low and High Adult Secondary Education	TABE Locator	TABE Form 7 Survey; Battery; or TABE-WF (for students functioning at Levels D or A only)	TABE Form 8 Survey; Battery; or TABE-WF (for students functioning at Levels D or A only)

For adults and parents functioning at Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Adult Secondary Education (ASE) Levels:

• The TABE Word List can be used as an initial screening for adults whose reading skills may be very limited, including adults transitioning from ESL whose native language literacy skills may be limited. It will help you know whether to stop assessment all together, to go on to TABE L or to go on to any of the other TABE baseline assessment options.
• The TABE Locator is used as the initial screening for most ABE and ASE students and can determine which level of TABE is appropriate for baseline instruction.
• The TABE Locator should also be used to determine which level of TABE is appropriate for progress assessment. Using the appropriate level is very important to getting the progress results you want.
• The TABE Survey and Complete Battery are local options for baseline and progress assessment.
• Work-Related Foundation Skills (TABE-WF) can also be used. WF is to be used for students functioning at Levels D and A only.
• All ABE/ASE participants are to be assessed using the TABE.
• All participants are to be assessed with the appropriate levels of the Reading, Mathematics and Language subtests (except Level L, which is only a Reading test).

• The TABE is a "family" of tests. Each test in the family is "on the same scale."
• This means they can be "mixed and matched."

"Mixing and Matching"
Baseline Form 7	Progress Form 8
Survey	Survey
Battery	Battery
Battery	Survey
Survey	Battery
And so on ...

There's One More possibility...

TABE Work-Related (WF) Foundation Skills
(for level D and A students, only)

four forms- General, Health, Business/Office, and Trade/Technical.

TABE-WF is also "on the same scale" as forms 7&8.

For ALL TABE Testing, remember TABE is a standardized test.

You MUST...

• Be sure to follow the test administration directions in the examiner's manual.
• Be sure to follow the time limits for each TABE test as specified in the examiner's manual.

• An accommodation is a change made to the test administration procedure--it provides equal access for students with disabilities.
• If an accommodation under consideration is not used in instruction, it should not be used in the testing situation.
• A large print version of TABE is available from CTB.
• Braille editions of TABE may be ordered through the American Printing House for the Blind (502/895-2405).
• TABE-PC is appropriate for some students who have difficulty taking paper-and-pencil tests.

Accommodation suggestions are available in:

• The CTB Assessment Accommodations Guide and


• CTB's free publication, Guidelines for Inclusive Test Administration.

Topics for Discussion

1. How do you know...

• Which TABE level to give a student for baseline assessment?
• Which TABE level to use for progress assessment?

2. How could you use TABE-WF in your program?

What questions do you have?

Discussion Topics

In your small groups, discuss…

• What was the TAAS?


• What is TAKS?


• What is AEIS?


• What is a School Report Card?

Accountability and You

• Accountability is a significant public policy issue


• The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act instituted a system of accountability


• The Even Start Act (a part of the No Child Left Behind Act) instituted a system of accountabilityAccountability is here to stay
• Adult education and Even Start both include reporting on a series of “performance indicators”

• Retention
• Demonstrated Gains
• Completion of Level

Performance Measures

• Did the student have a baseline assessment and attend at least 12 hours?
• Did the student have a baseline assessment and a progress assessment?

• Did the student move up a level on TABE Reading?
• TABE Math?
• TABE Language?

• Did the student complete the level in which s/he was placed?

• When your program applies for funds from Texas Learns, the application must state the standard the program will achieve for that year. (e.g., 50% will demonstrate a gain).


• Then, your program must achieve that standard for the year.

More Discussion Topics…

1. Otra vez…Why are baseline and progress testing so important?
2. Why do you think meeting performance standards is important?

Ta Da!

TABE 9 (released) and TABE 10 (to be released soon)

• Have been updated from the 1994 tests;
• The Locator takes even less time.
• Levels D and A predict performance on the GED; and
• GED Prediction Scores are in the Norms Books.

However ...

• The National Reporting System has not yet added TABE 9 & 10 scale scores to its levels (Beginning Literacy, etc.); and
• TABE 9 & 10 scale scores have not yet been added to ACES.

So ...

The Texas Adult Education Assessment System will most likely add TABE 9 & 10 for use in 2004.

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