TABE 13&14, CASAS Beginning Literacy, BEST Plus 3.0… and MORE!

TABE 13&14

Although TABE 13&14 have been approved by the NRS for reporting purposes through 6/30/2027, these assessments have not yet been approved in Minnesota, as we have been unable to view them. The good news is that TABE will be launching the online version of these assessments on 1/15/2025. Programs that have a current DRC/TABE online account will be able to view the new assessments, though not use them for reporting purposes until the State ABE Office approves them and adds them to our Assessment Policy. Until the new assessments are added, TABE 11&12 can be used for reporting purposes through June 30, 2025. If your program uses paper materials for assessment, 13&14 materials can be ordered, and will begin shipping out of DRC warehouses on April 1, 2025.

Seeking Input! If you or others on your staff are able to evaluate TABE 13&14 online, please share your comments with a member of the SPARC team, as they will be consulting with the State Staff on the approval of these assessments. All input will be appreciated.

For more information on TABE 13&14 – In December 2024, TABE presented webinars detailing more information on TABE 13&14, as well as some other products that they have available. Click here to access copies of the presentation recordings and the PPT slides.

CASAS STEPS for Beginning Literacy

In consultation with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Adult Education, CASAS is updating the score conversion tables for Level A tests on Reading GOALS, Math GOALS 2, Reading STEPS, and Listening STEPS.

Originally, test takers who scored 0 through 3 correct on Level A of each of these test series were reported as “inaccurate” and received an asterisk (*) instead of a scale score. With this update, test takers will no longer receive an asterisk for a score and will instead receive the lowest scale score on the test and assigned to NRS Level 1. This ensures that all students can earn a scale score for reporting purposes. This change applies to CASAS Level A tests only.

To receive a TAM addendum that reflects these changes, email [email protected] and request a TAM addendum (pdf) for Reading GOALS, Math GOALS 2, Reading STEPS, and/or Listening STEPS. Email requests should include agency name, state, and the specific test series. Please note that you will receive a pdf copy of the Score Conversion Tables for Level A only, not a complete revised TAM. Future orders for TAMs will include the revisions and updated Next Assigned Test tables reflecting the change in assigned scale scores.

BEST PLUS 3.0

BEST Plus 3.0 is another option for assessing beginning literacy learners. Do you have questions as to whether BEST Plus 3.0 would be appropriate to use with your student population? BEST Plus 3.0 Test Usage Policy will help you to decide if this assessment is the right assessment for your program.

For a program to be able to administer BEST Plus 3.0, test administrators must complete training, available on the CAL (Center for Applies Linguistics) website. The online training course is $125 per person, but for a limited time during the transition, will be made available FREE of charge. You will need to purchase a Test Administration Manual for $44. See a copy of the Pricing Schedule for more information as to the costs of BEST Plus 3.0.