Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS)

FY15 CLAS-E Writing Recertification Information

March 2, 2015
Dear Program Directors: Please read this important information about the required recertification process for TABE CLAS-E Writing, and please forward this email and attachments to TABE CLAS-E Test Administrators on staff. In order to continue to administer and score the TABE CLAS-E Writing assessment, test administrators need to complete the accompanying recertification, which uses actual Massachusetts ABE student responses. Use the score sheet to list your scores and provide a clear rationale in the space provided. Please be sure the practitioner's name and program are on the score sheet. It is imperative that practitioners use the CLAS-E Expository Writing Rubrics with the embedded Notes to the Scorer and The Supplementary Scoring Guide for the CLAS-E Expository Writing Assessment when scoring the Recertification Packet. The rationale should reflect the wording in the Rubrics. The procedure for submitting TABE CLAS E Writing recertification has changed this fiscal year. Program Directors or Assessment Coordinators must send the TABE CLAS E Writing Recertification Score Sheet together with the TABE CLAS E Writing Recertification form

. Each program should submit only one packet complete with this form and all the score sheets from all staff who wish to be recertified. Packets must be emailed, faxed, or mailed to Joan Ford, SABES Director of Assessment by Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Packets will be corrected in early April. Joan Ford's contact information: joan.ford@bristolcc.edu - fax: 508.730.3280 - mailing address: 777 Elsbree Street - Building Q, Fall River, MA 02027. Test administrators will be notified by email of their score and certification status by Thursday, April 16, 2015. Recertification is required annually. Practitioners receiving their Initial Certification in FY15 will not recertify until FY16. Scoring Process:
Test administrators pass if:

They score 70% or better, with six or less items incorrect (e.g. exact scores according to the Score Rationale. One of the six items may be two points off).
While recommended, it is optional for test administrators to go over the score rationale individually or with other program staff. Their passing status is sent to the program director and test administrator and then logged into the database. (Note: test administrators will not receive a certificate. Program directors should print out the email indicating practitioners' certification status to give to practitioners. Everyone should retain a copy for their records.)

Test administrators need to go through a remediation by phone if:

They score 60-65%, with seven to eight items incorrect (e.g. exact scores according to the Score Rationale. One of the seven or eight items may be two points off).
They will set up a time for a remediation session by phone.
Once the phone remediation is complete and has been determined by Joan Ford to have been successful, test administrators may score tests. Their status is sent to the program director and test administrator and then is logged into the database. (Note: test administrators will not receive a certificate. Program directors should print out the email indicating practitioners' certification status to give to practitioners. Everyone should retain a copy for their records.)

Test administrators may not score in FY15 or FY16 until they take another face-to-face training if:

They score 55% or less, with nine or more items incorrect (e.g. exact scores according to the Score Rationale).
They may not score any tests until they attend a CLAS-E Writing training. Two trainings for this purpose will be scheduled between June and September.
Directors should hire another certified administrator to complete their post-tests. Directors may contact other directors or Joan Ford for names of potential scorers.
Once they complete the training, their status is sent to the program director and test administrator and then logged into the database. Program directors should print out the email indicating practitioners' certification status to give practitioners. Everyone should retain a copy for their records.

Recommended Preparation for Taking the Recertification:
ACLS encourages all those recertifying in the TABE CLAS-E Writing to prepare for the recertification with a scoring refresher session. Under a separate email, ACLS will distribute last year's (FY14) CLAS-E Writing recertification test items and score rationale. Those recertifying may use these materials individually or as a group to go through the FY14 test and then check their responses with the scoring rationale. To prepare for scoring the recertification test, make certain that you first review the following materials:

The CLAS-E Expository Writing Rubrics with the embedded Notes to the Scorer (attached)
The Supplementary Scoring Guide for the CLAS-E Expository Writing Assessment (attached)
The TABE's CLAS-E Writing Scoring Guide, which includes the Sample Responses in Parts 4 and 5 (each program should have a copy).

Important Note: When determining a score response, the Writing Rubrics are the most important item to use of the three above. The Supplementary Scoring Guide is meant to support one's understanding of the Rubrics and not to supersede them.
The Sample Responses should also be used to inform one's scoring, but if their information is in conflict with or contradicts the Rubric or the Supplementary Scoring Guide, follow what the Rubric indicates first. Make certain you are using the correct rubric for each item you are scoring. Please do your own work and do not share this scoring packet with anyone. Thank you very much for your work.

Attachment

TABE CLAS E Writing Recertification form

TABE CLAS E Writing Recertification Score Sheet

Jolanta Conway
Massachusetts ABE State Director

Last Updated: March 2, 2015