What is the timeline for transitioning to BEST Plus 3.0 and BEST Literacy 2.0?

On March 18, 2024, the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) at the U.S. Department of Education has extended the use of the current ESL educational functioning level descriptors and the approval of BEST Plus 2.0 and BEST Literacy for use by federally funded programs that report data through the National Reporting System (NRS) through June 30, 2025. Until June 30, 2025, the current ESL educational functioning level (EFL) descriptors and the new ESL educational functioning level descriptors will be in effect, and both generations of BEST Assessments will be accepted. After June 30, 2025, BEST Literacy and BEST Plus 2.0 will no longer be accepted for NRS reporting purposes or offered for purchase by CAL.

The new generation of BEST Assessments – BEST Plus 3.0 and BEST Literacy 2.0 – are approved for the NRS reporting purposes through July 13, 2030. BEST Literacy 2.0 is available for purchase now!  BEST Plus 3.0 will launch in 2024. Training, tests, and materials will be available for programs at this time. Training for new and existing BEST Plus 3.0 Test Administrators will be available as a self-paced self-access online training course which will be free of charge for a limited time.

Programs must use the same generation of assessment for pre-test and post-test.

Read the Federal Register official notice.

How long can I continue using BEST Plus 2.0 and BEST Literacy?

The BEST Plus 2.0 and BEST Literacy tests are approved for NRS accountability reporting through June 30, 2025. Programs are free to choose either generation of BEST assessments during the transition period.

After June 30, 2025, BEST Literacy and BEST Plus 2.0 will no longer be accepted for NRS reporting purposes or offered for purchase by CAL.

Can I pre-test with the older generation and post-test with the newer generation of the tests?

No. For scores to be comparable, you should always pre- and post-test with the same generation of test. For example, if you pre-test with BEST Plus 2.0 you should post-test with BEST Plus 2.0.

Will I be able to exchange BEST Plus 2.0 and BEST Literacy tests for the new generations?

No. Unfortunately, CAL is not able to provide credit for any remaining BEST Plus 2.0 or BEST Literacy tests. We recommend monitoring your remaining tests (your BEST Plus 2.0 test balance can be accessed on the test activation website) and ordering only what you need until your program transitions fully to the newer tests.

Will there be new pricing for the new tests and materials?

Yes. Please refer to the BEST Plus 3.0 and BEST Literacy 2.0 Pricing Schedule.