November 8-9, 2018 Minnesota Department of Education Welcome to the Adult Basic Education (ABE) Support Services Conference! 1 Min: Heather November 8-9, 2018 Minnesota Department of Education

Heather Williams SPARC Committee and Conference Chair Introductions 1 min: Heather

Your Statewide Supplemental Service Provider for Assessment Training Marty Olsen SW ABE and State Assessment Trainer martha.olsen@gmail.com 5 min: Marty Learn more/schedule a training: www.mnabeassessment.com

Todd Wagner, State ABE Director

Thank You SPARC Committee Sponsoring organization All the presenters Conference Planners Heather Williams, Chair Sponsoring organization Southwest ABE (State ABE Assessment Training) All the presenters Everyone participating Todd

ABE Support Network Minnesota Literacy Council ATLAS (Hamline) technology, volunteer training ATLAS (Hamline) professional development Literacy Action Network program quality, administrator support SW ABE assessment training PANDA (Robbinsdale) disability resources & assistance MN Workforce Council Association transitions Todd

State ABE Staff Todd Wagner, State ABE Director Julie Dincau, Transitions Cherie Eichinger, Administrative Support Brad Hasskamp, Secondary Credential/Policy Ariana Didion, Grants Astrid Liden, Professional Development Alice Smith, GED Records/Administrative Support Jodi Versaw, Program Quality Todd

Getting MSG (Measurable Skill Gain) Todd

Counting Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) Evaluation Learning Community Training December 7-8, 2011 Counting Measurable Skill Gains (MSG) 4 Ways to Count MSG (Only one type of gain will be counted for each participant) 1. Earn higher scores on approved pre- and post-tests to advance to a higher level 2. Earn a secondary credential (high school or equivalency diploma) by June 30 3. Enter postsecondary education (only after participant exits ABE) by June 30 4. Participants in “adult high school” can complete Adult Basic Education (ABE) Level 5 by earning enough Carnegie Units or credits to move to 11th- or 12th-grade status* (*Not yet applicable for ABE in Minnesota) Brad

National Reporting System Targets for Measurable Skill Gain NRS Educational Functioning Level and Core Indicator Goals FY 2017 (2016-17) FY 2019 (2018-19) FY 2020 (2019-20) % Completing Each Level/Goal % Earning Measurable Skill Gain Target MN Actual U.S. Actual ALL ABE LEVELS N/A* 43% 44% ABE 1 78% 59% 48% 61% ABE 2 67% 46% 45% ABE 3 50% 39% 42% ABE 4 34% 36% 40% 41% ABE 5 26% 52% ABE 6 28% 36%* 42%* ALL ESL LEVELS ESL 1 ESL 2 58% 54% 56% ESL 3 51% 47% ESL 4 38% ESL 5 35% 37% ESL 6 16% 23% 24% 25%

Important Notes about the Accountability Measures The U.S. Department of Education has set overall ABE- level and ESL-level targets. There are now targets for ABE Level 6. The U.S. Department of Education is setting higher targets for states. Minnesota is expected to be at the median or higher in all ABE and ESL levels.

Program Improvement Jodi

Program Improvement Take Note! Results from program year 18-19 will be used for a Program Improvement process starting Fall 2019.

Program Improvement Q&A Q: What is Program Improvement? A: A technical assistance process for ABE programs that fall below set benchmarks on key accountability measures. Q: Why Program Improvement? A: To work towards consistent implementation of accountability practices state- wide; to ensure compliance with federal accountability standards. Program Improvement Q&A

Program Improvement Flags Q: How will ABE programs be identified for Program Improvement for PY18-19 data? ABE consortia will be flagged for possible participation in Program Improvement if: Measurable Skill Gains (Level Gains and Diplomas) for ABE students falls more than 30% below NRS target Measurable Skill Gains (Level Gains and Diplomas) for ESL students falls more than 30% below NRS target Post-testing rate for students who have 40+ hours falls below 60% Q: How will we know if our consortium is flagged for Program Improvement? Pay attention to “Level Gains and Post-Test Rates” report in SiD. MNABE Report Card

Program Improvement cohort participation Q: What will happen after programs are identified? A: From all ABE consortia flagged for possible participation in Program Improvement, a group of ABE consortia will be selected for participation in the Program Improvement Cohort. Selection will depend on: Total number of flagged consortia Participant numbers Unique circumstances A: Consortia selected for the cohort will participate in: Fall 2019 day-long workshop Program Improvement planning Technical assistance from MDE

Report cards for 16-17 and 17-18 have been released MNABE Report Cards Report cards for 16-17 and 17-18 have been released NO PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT based on these results More info on Web Chat with MNABE, Dec 5, 1:00 pm

Assessments: The how and when of the new tests Brad

What’s Happening? Date Approved ABE Level Tests Approved ESL Level Tests July 2017- June 2018 TABE 9-10 CASAS Life and Work BEST Plus July 2018 – June 2019 TABE 11-12 CASAS GOALS July 2019- June 2020 Programs can use old tests but may be able to transition to new tests July 2020 – June 2021 Programs can use old tests but may need to transition to new tests

ABE Spring Application Workshop TABE 11-12 Approved! The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE) has approved TABE Forms 11 and 12 for the NRS and for local ABE programs in Minnesota. Computer and paper versions 3 Subject Tests: Reading, Math, Language 5 Level Tests in each subject: L, E, M, D, A Each test has only 1 option (no survey) TABE 9 and 10 will be dropped from the approved list starting July 1, 2019 Brad

TABE 11-12 Test Times Subject Revised Maximum Allowable Test Time (levels E, M, D, A) Math 75 minutes (2 parts in levels M, D, A timed separately) Reading 120 minutes (2 parts timed separately) Language 60 minutes

ABE Spring Application Workshop From TABE 9-10 to 11-12 TABE 9 & 10 are not considered the same as 11 & 12 for data purposes, meaning that if a student has a pretest in 9 or 10, the student: Cannot be post-tested with an 11 or 12. Does not need to wait 40 contact hours before taking a 11 and 12 as a new pre-test to determine a student’s level. Brad

Scoring TABE 11-12 Not all correct answers are +1 point. Some two-part answers have different scores and some items are not worth any points. Hand scoring will be more difficult than with TABE 9-10, but you may be able to scan official test answer sheets for electronic scoring. It would not be surprising to see students drop levels as the take their first TABE 11-12 since the levels are different and more challenging with content standards alignment. Some students may need TABE Level L tests now. The TABE Level L test is intended to be a consumable book.

CASAS New GOALS Reading Test Approved! ABE Spring Application Workshop CASAS New GOALS Reading Test Approved! The U.S. Department of Education approved the new CASAS GOALS Reading test for ABE levels (not ESL) in the NRS. Math test still in development. Same test being submitted for ESL Levels this fall. Brad

ABE Spring Application Workshop Transitioning CASAS CASAS 27-28 and CASAS Life and Work Cannot be used for ABE levels after June 30, 2019, but can continue to be used for ESL! Brad

Assessment Professional Development Professional development on tests is offered at: Summer Institute Regionals Support Services Conference (November 8-9, 2018) Sessions Offered: Test Certification (required for all staff working with testing) will provide an overview of the allowable tests Critical Issues in Assessment will dive into the new tests, computer-based testing and other topics

Table Discussion: Test Transition Planning with Local ABE Programs Start thinking now about when you will transition testing: When will you purchase tests? Which ones will you purchase? Which tests will you purchase for ABE students (TABE 11/12 or CASAS GOALS)? Will you purchase paper and/or computer tests? How will you train yourself and your staff on the new tests? Which staff need test certification and which staff just need new test info? How will your program implement the new tests? With current students that already have a pretest? With new students? How will you adjust your program for the longer testing times?

ABE Policy Changes Now Posted Revised Assessment Policy approves TABE 11/12 and CASAS GOALS. New Records Retention Policy clarifies what records/documents ABE programs need to keep. The Policy on Teaching Languages Other Than English is now eliminated and no longer valid. Coming Soon Revised Program Improvement Policy will be posted in November. Revised GED Contact Hours Policy will be released this fall/winter.

Finding the Minnesota ABE Policies www.mnabe.org/abe-law- policy

Secondary Credentials Brad

Adventures on the HiSEAs!

Current G.E.D. Subsidy $10 off the first test in each subject ($40 max) Use code MNGED10 Test in Minnesota or approved border community testing center MN legislature allocated $125,000 for subsidy Will be available until all funds are spent

2,511 High School Equivalency Diplomas Issued and 14,498 GED Tests Taken in Minnesota in 2017-18 July 2017-June 2018

Thank You, GED Test Centers!

Additional GED Testing News Reporting testing errors is not happening consistently or timely enough. All errors should be reported that day using Service Direct reporting! New website and trainings available from GED Testing Service, especially for corrections programs. Make sure the appropriate ABE program staff have student-authorized access to GED Manager. Request access for new staff and request removal of staff that leave your program. Contact Brad Hasskamp with questions.

Minnesota High School Equivalency Test Selection The ABE Stakeholder Group met twice to: Review research from other states and assessment specialists Develop and prioritize recommendations for test proposal criteria and process ABE Stakeholder Group’s 16 Members Adam Kuehnel Minnesota Department of Corrections Amy Fish Detroit Lakes Amy Stotzheim St. Paul Andy Albee Robbinsdale Annessia Swann American Indian OIC Brent Olinger Metro East Britt Gulstrand Christian McCleary Dave Close Red Lake Dave Haugen Minneapolis Karen Wolters Mankato Lindsey Cermak Patty Fleege Duluth Sarah Hoggard ThinkSelf, Inc. Deaf ABE Shane Mueller South Washington County Shari Brunes Glacial Lakes

Minnesota High School Equivalency Test Selection Minnesota Department of Education is now working with Department of Administration on creating the application/RFP (request for proposals) Application expected to be posted late Fall 2018. Results to be announced by June 2019. If there are changes, we will be planning a transition period with the tests.

PD Newsletter & calendar All PD information is now being distributed via the ABE PD E- Newsletter Get on our distribution list by contacting Cherie.Eichinger@state.mn.us Info and registration for all PD events can be found on our statewide PD calendar at www.atlasABE.org Brad

When Can I Ask My Questions? Talk with Todd, Brad or Jodi at breaks or during the State ABE staff concurrent session. Brad

You make ABE successful! Todd

SPARC Plug: Light that fire! Heather SPARC Plug: Light that fire! ABE Support Professional Advisory and Resource Committee

Heather Mark your calendars! 2019 ABE Support Services Conference: November 7-8, 2019

Enjoy the conference! Use your action plan to mark down great ideas you want to try when after the conference! Heather

Break