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BEST Plus
Purpose: To assess the listening and speaking ability of non-native
speakers of English.
Target: Adult English language learners from beginning to advanced levels.
Method and format: Performance-based; individual face-to-face interviews.
In the computer-adaptive version, the computer delivers the appropriate
sequence of items based on the examinee's responses as entered by the
administrator. In the print-based version, the administrator uses a locator
to determine
appropriate text level, administers the test, and marks scores in the
test booklet.
Content: Language used in everyday communication at home,
at work,
in the community; communicative language functions such as providing
information, giving opinions.
Administration time: 5-20 minutes
per student for computer
adaptive version; 10-20 minutes per student for print-based
version.
Levels and scoring: Test scores are reported in terms of a BEST
Plus score; student
performance levels (SPLs) 0-10; and National Reporting System
(NRS) ESL functioning levels, from Beginning ESL Literacy to High
Advanced ESL.
Reliability/validity: BEST Plus has undergone rigorous test
development
and validation procedures
that meet the standards of the American Education Research
Association (AERA), American Psychological Association (APA), and
National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) (1999). The BEST
Plus Technical Report contains detailed information
about test validity and reliability. |
Number of forms: The computer-adaptive
version delivers different versions of the test depending on the level of learner
responses. The print-based version has three forms.
Materials available: Training for
test administrators, practice and computer-adaptive test on CD-ROM,
semi-adaptive printed test
booklet with picture cue book,
scoring rubric, administrator's guide technical manual
Center for Applied Linguistics
4646 40th Street NW
Washington, DC 20016
866-845-BEST (2378)
http://cal-org.wdi.net/bestplus |
CASAS ESL Appraisal—Listening
Purpose: To assess the English
listening comprehension of non-native speakers of English for placement
and to identify
the appropriate pre-test for progress testing.
Target: Adult English
language learners in basic skills programs; must be literate in English.
Method
and format: The Appraisal is a group-administered 23-item multiple
choice test; students listen to a cassette tape and choose from three
options
for each item.
Content: Content includes life skills vocabulary
and language functions. Test items are aligned with more than 300 learner
competencies
related to basic communication, employability and workplace skills,
and computer literacy.
Administration time: 25 minutes.
Levels and scoring: Scores are reported on a numerical scale. CASAS skill
descriptors provide information on how the numerical score corresponds to the ability to accomplish
life skills and job-related tasks and correspondence of scaled scores to student performance levels (SPLs). Scores indicate
appropriate placement levels.
Reliability/validity: "All CASAS assessment instruments
undergo rigorous test development and validation procedures
and meet the standards of the American Education Research
Association (AERA), the National Council for Measurement
in Education (NCME) and the American Psychological
Association (APA). The CASAS Technical Manual contains
detailed information about test validity and reliability"
(publisher's statement).
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Number of forms: One
Materials available: Training is required for all
test administrators. Materials are available only after training has
been completed.
CASAS
51551 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 220
San Diego, CA 92123
858-292-2900
http://www.casas.org |