1. Where’s the Evidence? Margaret Teske
ESL Instructional Support Manager, Mt. San Antonio College
CATESOL Annual Conference 2016
Introduction – not with CASAS, but attended the CASAS Summer Institute
Focus on the new reading tests

2. Purpose of this presentation
Why are the CASAS reading tests changing?
How will the new CASAS reading tests be different?
What types of reading questions will there be?
How can we prepare our students for the new CASAS reading tests?
Let’s explore answers to these questions:

3. Why are the CASAS Reading tests changing?
College and Career Readiness Standards (April 2013)
Complexity – regular practice with complex text and academic language
Evidence from the text
Knowledge - content-rich informational texts
CASAS Reading Standards
English Language Proficiency Standards (New! October 2016)
3 key shifts prompted by the Common Core
being updated; look for new version on the CASAS website

4. RESOURCES ELPS CCRS AWL & GSL
English Language Proficiency Standards, College and Career Readiness Standards, Depth of Knowledge, Academic Word List, General Service List

5. College and Career Readiness Standards
Purpose:
Students entering the workforce are discovering that they need critical knowledge and skills that are used on a regular basis.
Leading economists note that key college and career ready knowledge and skills are closely linked to being able to get the training necessary to earn a living wage in high-growth industries.
It is crucial that adult education programs provide students the opportunity to acquire these skills to pursue their long-term career aspirations and goals. 
Excerpts from the CCRS:

6. CCRS Reading Anchors
Reading Anchors 1-9 [handout] provide a framework for the types of reading we need to have our students practice.
Reading Anchor 10 is a chart showing the complexity of reading our students should be reading as they advance in their levels of proficiency.
Become familiar with these anchors.

7. English Language Proficiency Standards

8. ELPS
ELP Standards 1-10 [handout] provide an additional guideline for reading types and student practice.
View One displays each ELP Standard and its Level 1-5 descriptors.
View Two displays each CCRS for AE that corresponds to one or more ELP Standards for AE.
Become familiar with these standards. Read the whole document.
There are two “Views” for each standard. This is just an excerpt.

9. Proposed Formatting Changes to the tests
Same
New
Paper and computer-based
Numbered lines in text passages
Multiple choice items
Items will ask students to refer back to the text
Comprehension questions – one passage with more than one question
Underlined words embedded in the
Passages
Some sentence completion items
Photo prompts and distractors for some items (Level A)
How will the changes alter the format of the test?

10. Types of Reading Passages
Emphasis on reading "every day" texts
Reading , community announcements, employee handbooks
Reading for information, especially online
Following the 3 key shifts

11. Types of Reading Questions
Identify the main idea and supporting details
Vocabulary in Context
Where in the text can the answer be found?
Compare and contrast two short articles

12. Strategies for Reading
Intensive Reading
Use reading textbooks but ADD questions
Look for materials that include GSL and AWL
Extensive Reading
Build vocabulary
Increase reading confidence
Practice summary and paraphrase

13. Strategies for Reading
Found Reading in our Communities
Community announcements
Neighborhood flyers and newsletters
Reading from the Workplace
Workplace policies and procedures
Employee handbooks
Others?

14. Strategies for Reading
Online reading
Websites
Current news
Google search
Other ideas?

15. Reading Task Areas
Forms
Charts
Diagrams s
Editorials

16. Reading Websites
Newsla
Easy English News
ESL Home
Others?

17. Reading Passage Practice
Get with a partner, choose a passage and read it
Relate it to a CCRS Reading Anchor and/or ELPS
Make one or more questions
If time allows, create 3 distractors (possible answers).
Share out
Let’s practice what you can do with your classes
Choices: textbook passage, employee handbook, fundraising blurb, LA Mission news

18. Why are the CASAS reading tests changing?
Quick Review
Why are the CASAS reading tests changing?
How will the new CASAS reading tests be different?
What types of reading questions will there be?
How can we prepare our students for the new CASAS reading tests?
Let’s explore answers to these questions:

19. References
Bauman, John and Brent Culligan (1995). New General Service List (the original General Service List of West (1953), plus 284 more). Retrieved from
Pimentel, Susan (April 2013). College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education. Retrieved from
Taylor, Linda (May 2016). Reading Assessment Strategies for College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education, Presented at CASAS National Summer Institute. Retrieved from ccrs.pdf?sfvrsn=2?Status=Master
The Academic Word List Highlighter:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, Adult English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education. Washington, DC, 2016.