COABE 2025 Conference Presentation—Transforming Adult English Literacy Assessment: Introducing BEST Literacy 2.0
March 31 @ 3:00 pm - 4:10 pm
Transforming Adult English Literacy Assessment: Introducing BEST Literacy 2.0
Date & Time: March 31, 2025 | 3:00–4:10 p.m. Central Time
Location: Sanger B, COABE, Dallas, TX
Presenter(s):
- Elyssa Sun (Center for Applied Linguistics)
- Amya McKoy (Center for Applied Linguistics)
- Anna Zilberberg (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Description:
Recent calls for increased rigor in adult education led to the release of revised National Reporting System (NRS) Educational Functioning Level (EFL) Descriptors for English as a Second Language (ESL). This prompted the development of a new generation of adult ESL assessments aligned with these standards. One such test is BEST Literacy 2.0, a print-based assessment that uses a variety of tasks to measure adult English language learners’ ability to read and write in English. Specifically crafted with modern adult learners in mind, BEST Literacy 2.0 has been approved for use by the U.S. Department of Education for NRS accountability reporting through July 13, 2030.
This presentation will first introduce the test design of BEST Literacy 2.0, followed by an overview of the rigorous test development and validations steps undertaken for BEST Literacy 2.0. Through sharing example items and tasks in an interactive activity, we will highlight the improvements and innovations in BEST Literacy 2.0. To better assist programs in this transitional phase, we will also share different training options available for BEST Literacy 2.0.
Join us to discover best practices for integrating BEST Literacy 2.0 into your program, from initial training to ongoing administration, to ensure a seamless transition.
