ABE Scale Score Correlations (TABE Test)

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Glossary

Scale scores, rather than GLE or other measures, are reported in SMARTT. This practice will make data comparable across different forms of tests as well as among programs across the state. Below, we'll describe both ABE and ESOL scale score correlations as well as the minimum scores ("benchmarks") for reporting learning gain.

ABE SCALE SCORE CORRELATIONS
(TABE FORMS 9/10)

Educational gain is based on a student's primary goal, so programs should record in SMARTT the TABE scale score in the student's ABE primary assessment area--either ABE Reading, ABE Math, or ABE Writing/Language — and check the "Primary Area" box. Only the following tests are required for the relevant primary area:

Reading
Math Computation and Applied Mathematics
Language Writing

Programs may choose to administer the Complete Battery (Tests #1-5) for teaching purposes. If you do so, record all scores in the appropriate sections. Reserve the "Other" category for reporting placement tests or classroom tests other than BEST Plus, TABE CLAS-E, or TABE Forms 9/10.

When using the TABE Forms 9/10 Norms Book, check to make sure you are looking at the chart for the correct Form of the test, either 9 or 10, and the correct Level (E, M, D, A) for the appropriate subject area. Look at the column indicating the number of items correct and then look at the corresponding column for the scale score.

NOTE: Sometimes a student will be given the incorrect Level of the TABE, perhaps because of a glitch with the Locator testing. In that case, you'll have to re-test immediately, so be sure to read the section "Deciding to Re-Test" in our TABE Forms 9/10 overview.

An assessment report will be developed that correlates scale scores to GLE levels for reporting purposes to USDOE.

ABE READING, WRITING, MATH CORRELATIONS
(TABE FORMS 9/10)

SCALE SCORES		GLE LEVEL	NRS LEVEL
Language	< 392 392-490 491-523 524-559 560-585 > 585	0 - 1.9 2 - 3.9 4 - 5.9 6 - 8.9 9 - 10.9 11 - 12.9	Beginning ABE Literacy Beginning ABE Low Intermediate ABE High Intermediate ABE Low ASE High ASE
Math	< 314 314-441 442-505 506-565 566-594 > 594	0 - 1.9 2 - 3.9 4 - 5.9 6 - 8.9 9 - 10.9 11 - 12.9	Beginning ABE Literacy Beginning ABE Low Intermediate ABE High Intermediate ABE Low ASE High ASE
Reading	< 368 368-460 461-517 518-566 567-595 > 595	0 - 1.9 2 - 3.9 4 - 5.9 6 - 8.9 9 - 10.9 11 - 12.9	Beginning ABE Literacy Beginning ABE Low Intermediate ABE High Intermediate ABE Low ASE High ASE

OTHER TESTS (for 2 Exceptions: GLE 1-1.9 and NLL Classes)

Reading
Math
Language

NO
SCALE SCORES

1 - 1.9
2 - 3.9
4 - 5.9
6 - 8.9
9 - 10.9
11 - 12.9

Beginning ABE Literacy
Beginning ABE
Low Intermediate ABE
High Intermediate ABE
Low ASE
High ASE

ESOL SCALE SCORE CORRELATIONS
(BEST PLUS AND TABE CLAS-E TESTS)

Record the scale score in the student's ESOL primary assessment, either ESOL Speaking/Listening or ESOL Reading/Writing, and check the box labeled "Primary Area." The goal "Communicate more effectively in English" (for LEP students) is measured by assessment gains in the ESOL areas of Best Plus for speaking/listening and REEP for reading/writing. You may, however, administer both areas. Reserve the "Other" category for reporting placement tests or classroom tests other than BEST Plus, TABE CLAS-E, or TABE Forms 9/10.

An assessment report will be developed that correlates scale scores to SPL levels for reporting purposes to USDOE.

ESOL SPEAKING/LISTENING CORRELATIONS USING BEST PLUS

SCALE SCORES	SPL LEVELS	NRS LEVEL
Below 401	0 1	Beginning ESOL Literacy
401-438	2 3	Beginning ESOL
439-472	4	Low Intermediate ESOL
473-506	5	High Intermediate ESOL
507-540	6	Low Advanced ESOL
541-598 complete level = 599+	7 and above	High Advanced ESOL

ESOL WRITING CORRELATIONS USING THE TABE CLAS-E TEST

[TABE CLAS-E score chart]

BENCHMARKS FOR SIGNIFICANT LEARNING GAIN*

STUDENT GOAL	ASSESSMENT	MIN. SCORES TO SHOW GAIN
Improve reading skills (ABE students)	TABE Reading Complete Battery Subtest, Forms 9/10	27 scale score points
Improve writing skills (ABE students)	TABE Language Complete Battery Subtest, Forms 9/10	27 scale score points
Improve math/science skills (ABE students)	TABE Math Complete Battery Subtest, Forms 9/10	27 scale score points
Communicate more effectively in English (LEP students only)	CLAS-E Writing Assessment (writing goal) OR BEST Plus (oral proficiency goal)	25 scale score points for CLAS-E 33 scale score points in BEST Plus

* To determine signficant educational gain for these benchmarks, staff at the Center for Educational Assessment at UMass Amherst analyzed hundreds of Massachusetts pre- and post-tests.

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Last Modified 2/24/2012