Publication Review

This is not a test

Don Robishaw
SABES Central Resource Center / World Education

This is not a test. Dehli, K., Dobbs, G., Dwyer, P., Hilton, D., Horsman, J. & Ingram, L. (1990). Toronto: East End Literacy Press.

This kit for new readers contains many useful tools and exercises for teachers interested in implementing alternative assessment strategies in their respective Adult Literacy programs. It is also a good introduction to the novice of the various options to testing now being developed in the field by teachers.

On the other hand, the kit can also be used by the expert teacher who does not have enough time in their busy day to design their own exercises and assessment instruments. Many of the exercises included in this kit can also serve as a model to those interested in designing their own instruments.

The kit is stored in an attractive, green, 3-ring binder so that each exercise can easily be photocopied. It is also divided into seven units with several subsections:

1. Goals
Reading
Writing
Math

2. Tutoring or working in groups
Working with a tutor
Working in a group

3. Skills
Around the house
Getting around, transportation
Shopping
Banking
Looking after children
Health
Finding a place to live
Jobs

4. Learning about how to learn
When, where, and what do you like to read and write
How do you learn
Thinking about what you read

5. Reading and writing skills
Starting to read and write
How are you doing at reading?
How are you doing at writing?
Using the alphabet
The sounds of letters
The parts of words
Punctuation
Numbers

6. Making changes
Are you changing?
Sharing
Actions for change

7. Other stuff
Further readings
Thanks
Programs and contacts

Each unit offers a good transition into the next unit, although I am not so sure that the particular order is the one I would necessarily follow with my learners. But most teachers would not use the whole kit and probably just pick and choose those that seem to fit their learners’ basic needs. For that particular purpose, I would highly recommend This is not a test.

Originally published in Adventures in Assessment, Volume 4 (April 1993),
SABES/World Education, Boston, MA, Copyright 2003.

Funding support for the publication of this document on the Web provided in part by the Ohio State Literacy Resource Center as part of the LINCS Assessment Special Collection.