COABE 2025 Conference Presentation—Test Disposal 101: Assessment Industry Gold Standards and Tips from Practitioners

Test Disposal 101: Assessment Industry Gold Standards and Tips from Practitioners
Date & Time: April 1, 2025 | 4:50–6:00 p.m. Central Time
Location: Moreno A, COABE, Dallas, TX
Presenter(s):

• Anna Zilberberg (Center for Applied Linguistics)
• Amya McKoy (Center for Applied Linguistics)
• Elyssa Sun (Center for Applied Linguistics)
• Olga Escamilla (Texas A&M University–TCALL)

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 proficiency assessments aligned with these standards, necessitating a transition in adult education programs. Practitioners often question what to do with expired test materials during this transition.

Using an example of the BEST assessments developed by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) and widely used by adult education programs including the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL), this presentation will delve into the essential practices and assessment industry gold standards for when and how to dispose of obsolete tests. Guided by the International Test Commission’s Guidelines for the Disposal of Secure Psychological Test Materials (2014), we will discuss the criteria for obsolescence, the importance of avoiding premature disposal, and proper disposal methods to maintain test security.

Join us to gain a comprehensive understanding of handling obsolete assessment instruments and various disposal strategies, enhance your professional practices, and ensure that your adult education program meets the highest standards of ethical responsibility related to test use.