CASAS/GED Crosswalk ProjectThe purpose of this report is to provide an update on the "CASAS/GED Crosswalk project. The project goal was to develop GED to CASAS conversion/predictability tables in order to assign CASAS post-test scores given knowledge of adult learner performance on the reading (test #4) and mathematics (test #5) sections of the GED test battery. The need for this type of conversion process was articulated from the ABE coordinators, faculty and TOPSpro Record's Specialist. The problem arose from the difficulty of attempting to obtain pre-post CASAS test scores on adult learners enrolled in Iowa ABE/GED instructional program. This problem was exacerbated for those adult learners functioning at the CASAS Levels C and D. The adult learners, functioning at CASAS levels C and D, have a primary goal of passing the GED test battery and receiving the Iowa High School Equivalency Diploma. Given the fact that most adult learners functioning at these CASAS levels had successfully completed the GED test battery, the suggestion was made that GED test scores serve as a surrogate for CASAS post-test scores in the areas of reading and mathematics. This suggestion was a realistic solution to the initial problem. However, in order to provide reliable probability estimates of assigning CASAS post-test scores on the basis of observed performance on the GED test battery in the areas of reading and mathematics, it was necessary to obtain data on adult learners who had met the following criteria: (1) taken the CASAS reading pre-test and completed the entire GED test battery, (2) taken the CASAS mathematics pre-test and completed the entire GED test battery, or (3) taken both the reading and mathematics CASAS pre-tests and completed the entire GED test battery. Data Collection Strategies The following community college were asked to participate in the data collection phase of the project:
Each community college was requested to submit a range of 25-50 observations on adult learners who met the above referenced criteria. A total of 300+ observations were submitted. The data was submitted to CASAS for analysis. The data submitted by the eight (8) Iowa community colleges provided a representative random sample of the CASAS and GED performance levels of adult learners who met the three (3) selection criteria. Therefore, the generated probability tables for reading and mathematics will provide a reliable and valid process for assigning CASAS post-test scores at CASAS Levels C and D based on the performance of the reading and mathematics GED test scores. Future Strategies The CASAS research team will develop probability tables for reading and mathematics which, in turn, can be used as a reference point for assigning CASAS post-test scores on the basis of reading and mathematics GED test scores. When the tables have been developed and validated, they will be disseminated to Iowa's ABE instructors and faculty. They will also be included in a future update of the document titled Iowa's TOPSpro Data Dictionary. The result of this project has the benefit of obtaining CASAS post-test score results on adult learners who complete the GED test battery but do not complete the CASAS post-test at CASAS Levels C and D. This process will proved the necessary data to effectively evaluate adult learning gains, in terms of pre-post test scores, and accurately report these gains as mandated by the National Reporting System (NRS).
February 27, 2001 |