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- Assessment Updates – Spring 2026
March 9, 2026
Assessment Updates – Spring 2026
Virtual Support Staff Coffee Break:
How to Score Tests and Generate Reports in CASAS TOPSpro
Friday, March 20, 10:00-11:00 am CDT
Did you know that you can use TOPSpro Enterprise to pull content standards and competency reports based on both CASAS etests and paper tests, and you can do this for individuals and whole classes? Our next Coffee Break will show you how to do this in TOPSpro and Teacher Portal. SPARC members Alec Lunneborg of Metro South, and Jeff Galbavy and Rachel Stiglitz from Metro East will share their knowledge and experience, and try to answer all of your questions.
The session will address the following objectives:
- What are 3 key test reports that can be run in TOPSpro?
- Where are they in TOPSpro?
- How does one download the reports?
- What is Teacher Portal and how can one download reports from this portal?
- How can I generate reports from CASAS paper tests?
- How can I create student accounts in TOPSpro?
- How do I manually enter scores to gain access to these reports?
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Remote Assessment Hub
Have you heard about the Minnesota ABE Remote Assessment Hub? It’s a new opportunity for programs to encourage their students to complete their post-testing without having to leave their homes. The Assessment Training supplemental services grant is piloting the Remote Assessment Hub this year and, due to requests for expansion, has updated the plan and policies.
The purpose of this Hub is to support Minnesota ABE agencies in enhancing their remote testing capacity and test scheduling needs in order to assist in achieving increased measurable skills gains in the state. For the purposes of the pilot, Minnesota ABE-funded programs can request that the Hub’s trained proctors facilitate remote CASAS post-tests for eligible students at no cost to the program. This is a pilot program for FY 25-26, and therefore limited Assessment Hub test appointments will be available.
The eligibility requirements are specific, and have been updated to allow for additional students to participate. Please read the information carefully to understand which students are eligible, and what process needs to be followed to refer a student to the Remote Testing Hub.
The Remote Assessment Hub Process (in a nutshell)
- The local program verifies that the student has the necessary skills and technology in their home to access eTesting, and provides the student with test protocol.
- The local program sends a testing request to The Remote Assessment Hub and informs the student they are being referred to test remotely.
- The Hub contacts the student to schedule a remote testing appointment with email and texts.
- The Hub sends multiple reminders to the student regarding the testing appointment.
- Trained proctors administer the test to the student at the scheduled time.
- The Hub sends test results to the program for entry into CASAS TOPSpro Enterprise and SiD.
- If a student doesn’t respond to Hub communication or doesn’t have the necessary technology for remote testing, the student will be referred back to the program for testing.
Eligible Students
STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO TEST THROUGH THE HUB INCLUDE:
- All levels of ABE/ASE students and ESL students with an EFL of NRS level 4 and higher. The tests that will be offered are:
- CASAS GOALS (Reading)
- CASAS GOALS 2 (Reading 2 and Math 2)
- CASAS STEPS Reading
- CASAS STEPS Listening
- Students who certify that they have received a copy of Remote Testing Rules and agree to the terms set out in the document.
- Students who certify that they have received a copy of Remote Testing Directions for Students Using Zoom and are able to access Zoom.
CATEGORIES OF STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO BE REFERRED TO THE HUB: In addition to the above-stated eligibility requirements, the following groups of students need to meet the additional stated requirements.
- Students that have previously tested using a computer-based test
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- Their program verifies that the student has the appropriate technology, including internet to test remotely. (i.e. PC, Mac, Chromebook or iPad with a camera and audio/less than 5 years old – NOTE:These tests CANNOT be accessed on a cell phone)
- Students have to have attended a minimum of 40 hours.
- Students that previously tested using a paper test
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- The students meets all of the standards above.
- The learner has access to reliable home internet.
- The learner has an email address.
- The learner can access Zoom and tools such as Chat.
- The learner has a private, quiet place to test.
- The learner can test without distractions from others in the home.
- New students that need a pretest
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- The student has completed the intake process with the referring program, and a record has been created in SiD.
- The student meets all of the standards above, except the 40 hour attendance, and
- For English language learners who may not meet the Level 4 or higher EFL standard – the program should complete the CASAS Intake Screening Process for STEPSto ascertain whether the student meets the criteria as a beginning literacy learner. (Learners that correctly answer less than 4 questions when attempting a Level A test can be given the lowest score and be enrolled.)
Referring Program Responsibilities
By making a referral to the Remote Assessment Hub, your adult education program agrees to do the following:
- Identify one staff member to make referrals to the Assessment Hub. This person should have access to SiD, knowledge of testing processes, and availability to serve as the point of contact for the Hub.
- Refer ESL students at NRS Levels 4 and above. IF a learner is being referred for a pretest and may test lower than level 4, the program should provide language support for the learner as they access Zoom and during the preliminary meeting with the proctor. ABE/ASE students at all levels can be referred.
- Ensure that the student referred meets the eligible student requirements as stated above.
- Track attendance hours and only refer students for posttests who have the minimum number of attendance hours.
- Complete the online request form (link below) providing the required student and test information.
- Ensure that the student to be tested has the appropriate technology to test remotely:
- Computer running Windows 10 (PC or Mac), Chromebook, or iPad that has CASAS eTests downloaded with internet access and a bandwidth of at least 2 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed.
- Inform students of the testing referral to the Hub.
- After being referred by their program, students will need to respond to an email from “Calendly.com” to schedule their test. If needed, the program should assist the student in this process.
- The current schedule includes the following available times:
- Monday 10:00-11:30
- Monday 6:00-7:30
- Wednesday 6:00-7:30
- Thursday 2:30-4:00
- Select Fridays 10:00-11:30
- Select Saturdays 9:00-10:30
How Does My Program Make a Referral?
Go to the Remote Assessment Hub page found on the mnabeassessment.com website, and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click on the “Register Your Student Here” button. Follow the directions on the form that opens. After your referral is made, your student should receive an email from “Calendly.com”, with available test times for them to choose from to schedule their test.
Please feel free to contact Marty Olsen ([email protected]) or Linda Keller ([email protected]) if you have questions!
