Test Equity in Vocational Evaluation Steven R. Sligar, Ed.D., CVE, PVE East Carolina University

Test Equity in VE Topics – Two Premises Practitioner Practice – Three Tools Instruments Techniques Strategies

Premise for Practice Use of corroborative information – Case review/background information – Collateral informants – Interview information

Tools of VE Instruments – Tests and Work Samples Techniques – Situational Assessment Strategies – Accommodations – Modifications – Supports (for learning)

Tests: Focus on Four Areas Achievement Aptitude Interest Other

Achievement Brief – Wide Range Achievement Test 4 (WRAT 4) Comprehensive – Adult Basic Learning Examination (ABLE) – Stanford Achievement Test –Tenth Edition for use with Deaf or hard of hearing (SAT-10) – Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ III ACH)

WRAT-4 Pro Ages 5-94 Spelling, reading, & sentence comprehension are untimed Useful as quick screening for job requirements Con Spelling is dictated Reading assessed by pronunciation Sentence comprehension is spoken Arithmetic is timed

Adult Basic Learning Examination (ABLE) Pro Not timed Ages >17 Based on number of years of formal schooling Useful in ABE or for workplace literacy Con Vocabulary & Arithmetic Problem Solving (level 1) tests are dictated

WJIII ACH Pro Age /22 subtests untimed Select area to be measured—may use individual sections Used to identify instructional level & services needed Concerns 4 oral language subtests Several subtests rely on hearing (words, sounds, taped story), use of metaphors, and sound awareness.

SAT-10 Pro Time limits removed Deaf norms available Use with students in transition to postsecondary education Concerns Limited use with adults Developed for schools

Aptitude Tests Multiple-Aptitude Batteries – Career Ability Placement Survey (CAPS) – O*Net Ability Profiler Dexterity – Crawford Small Parts

CAPS Pro High school & college norms 3 ability dimensions do not require reading Specific ability screening Career counseling Concerns 6 th grade reading level overall (required for 5/8 ability dimensions)

O*Net Ability Profiler Pro Free (almost) 8/11 subtests do not require reading Specific ability screening Career counseling Concern 6 th grade reading level overall (required for 3/11 subtests)

Crawford Small Parts Pro Easy to administer Timed or untimed Screening for jobs that require finger and manual dexterity Concern Limited range of jobs

Intelligence Tests Beta-III – Performance (non-verbal) Shipley-2 – Vocabulary and Abstraction (reading level not provided) – Correlates to WAIS – Impairment Index( useful with substance users, TBI ) Wonderlic Contemporary Cognitive Ability Test – Requires reading (reading level not provided)

Interest Tests Verbal/Written – O*Net Interest Profiler – Self-Directed Search (SDS) Pictorial – Reading-Free Vocational Interest Inventory: 2 (RFVII:2) – Wide Range Interest and Occupation Test (WRIOT2)

O*Net Interest Profiler Pro Free Holland Codes Direct link to the O*Net Useful for career counseling Concern 8 th grade reading level

Self-Directed Search Pro Form E 4 th grade reading level Holland Codes Useful for career counseling Concern Self-administration requires self-knowledge and familiarity with activities

RFVII:2 Pro Pictorial Reading & writing free Ages >13 Manual allows for item explanation Useful with persons who may have LD or ID Concerns Items focus on unskilled and semi-skilled jobs Occupational areas do not relate to DOT, O*Net, or Holland Codes

WRIOT2 Pro Pictorial Career counseling Individual pictures useful as counseling tool Concern Requires some exposure to the depicted jobs

Initial Order of Administration Traditional Post Secondary Achievement Interest Aptitude Other Physical Capacity Brief Achievement Interest Aptitude

Equity Metaphor Silk PurseSow’s ear