1. WIA GOTO MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 6 TH – 2012 TABE 101 – A Basic Review

2. WIA Policy Manual Section 3.40 ~Assessment & Planning  3.40 A. ~ Initial Assessment  All participants must have an initial assessment completed to evaluate basic skills, experience, and the appropriateness for service and ability to benefit from the Workforce Investment Act.  Foundation to begin development of the ISS (Individual Service Strategy) or IEP (Individual Employment Plan)

3. TABE 101 – A Basic Review WIA Policy Section 3.40 B. 1. ~ Basic Skills Assessment Guidelines  All participants must be tested to determine deficiencies in reading and/or math – unless they qualify for an exception  The TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education) is the basic skills assessment test required for Montana’s WIA participants  TABE is required for all Out-of-School Youth participants  No exceptions  TABE is required for Adult/Dislocated Worker/Other Youth participants  Some exceptions

4. TABE 101 – A Basic Review What are the exceptions to TABE assessment for Adults/Dislocated Workers and Other Youth?  A TABE is not required if the participant can document one of the acceptable alternatives listed in Section 3.40 B. 3. (Waiver from Program Manager is not needed)  A TABE is not required if the participant qualifies for a waiver of the TABE due to a special circumstance. (Waiver from Program Manager is needed)  (new slide added March 12, 2012)

5. TABE 101 – A Basic Review What are acceptable alternatives to the TABE?  GED within last year  Associates or Bachelor’s degree  Post-secondary grades sufficient to demonstrate basic skills proficiency  COMPASS Test within last year and using latest version What documentation is required?  A copy of the documentation must be placed in the participant’s file and documented in case notes

6. TABE 101 – A Basic Review TABE is not required as part of eligibility determination or enrollment in WIA When is the TABE required to be administered?  Adult/Dislocated Worker – within a reasonable time following enrollment based upon the participant’s plan  Youth – Must adhere to Pre-testing/Post-testing timelines (3.40 B.2.)

7. TABE 101 – A Basic Review TABE administration documentation  Copy of the TABE score sheet must be placed in the participant’s file  Scores must be input in MontanaWorks ~ Testing tab  Deficiencies and steps to address deficiencies noted in ISS/IEP or Employment Plan – and case noted  Note: if your organization administers the TABE – be sure that the score sheet includes examiner’s name and test date

8. TABE 101 – A Basic Review Youth Pre-Testing and Post-Testing  TABE Locater may be used to determine TABE test level  May not be used as the pre-test  Pre-test must be administered within 10 working days of enrollment into the WIA Youth program.  (A waiver may be requested to extend the pre-test date under extenuating circumstances)  May use TABE administered by another entity if within 6 months prior to date of first Youth service

9. TABE 101 – A Basic Review Youth Pre-Testing and Post-Testing  Post-test required for all Youth who pre-tested at or below 8.9 grade level.  NOTE: Not required if Youth pre-tested above 8.9  Post-testing is done following remediation or tutoring and can be done several times during enrollment at appropriate intervals (e.g. 6 months)

10. TABE 101 – A Basic Review WIA Policy Section 3.40 B. 3. ~ TABE Waivers  Waivers from TABE assessment may be granted by the WIA program managers under special circumstances and when acceptable documentation has been provided.  Youth ~ Waivers will not be granted for any out-of- school youth as defined in Section 5.80  Adult/Dislocated Worker ~ As noted in the earlier slide, waivers may be granted if a special circumstance exists and can be documented.  (this slide revised March 12, 2012)

11. TABE 101 – A Basic Review TABE Waiver approvals for “special circumstances” ~  Only allowed for Adult/Dislocated Worker participants  When the participant’s needs for WIA services/assistance are for immediate employment situations, such as:  Purchase of work-related tools/uniforms/clothing  Verified out-of-area relocation to employment  License renewals or reinstatements  Process: Send request for waiver approval to a WIA Program Manager via e-mail with participant’s name, program and description of special circumstances. Place a copy of the reply in the participant’s file to document the waiver approval

12. TABE 101 – A Basic Review My participant just wants to look for a job and is not interested in going to training. Do I have to make him take the TABE?  Yes ~ all Adult and Dislocated Worker participants must take the TABE (within a reasonable time after enrollment) unless they can document an acceptable alternative or meet a special circumstance waiver granted by a Program Manager.  However, you should not delay providing job search assistance, including verified out-of-area interviews, waiting for a TABE to be taken.  If your participant is unable to find suitable employment within a reasonable time, then training may become part of the plan and a TABE will be needed for assessment. Without a TABE early on, the start of training may have to be delayed.

13. TABE 101 – A Basic Review I’m just going to TABE everyone!  Don’t waste you or your participant’s time requiring them to take a TABE if they can provide documentation of an acceptable alternative.  If they have a “special circumstance” related to employment, request a waiver of the TABE requirement from a WIA Program Manager. It’s quick and easy!