CTB/McGraw-Hill Awarded Arizona Adult English Language Learner Assessment Contract

CTB/McGraw-Hill, a leader in K-12 and adult education, today announced that the Company has been selected to provide English Language Learner assessments for the Arizona Department of Education Adult Education Program. The TABE Complete Language Assessment System - English™ (TABE CLAS-E™) will be used to measure English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, aligned with Arizona Adult Education Standards. TABE CLAS-E will be the standard assessment for statewide use in all ADE-funded adult education programs, including school districts, community colleges, community-based organizations, nonprofits, and libraries.

TABE CLAS-E meets the requirements of Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which stipulates that federal funding for adult education requires evidence of educational gains measured by a standardized assessment approved by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Division of Adult Education.

A team of Arizona Adult Education ESOL instructors reviewed the OVAE approved assessments for adult English language learners, and unanimously recommended the TABE-CLAS-E because it:

  --  Demonstrates the greatest breadth and depth and overall alignment to
      the Arizona Adult Education English Language Acquisition for Adults
      Standards;
  --  Assesses all four domains:  Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
      Skills;
  --  Provides a smoother transition to ABE/ASE via the TABE 9&10 Test;
  --  Provides a clear exit criteria from NRS ESL Functioning Level, and
  --  Provides rich teacher resource materials.

TABE CLAS-E provides teachers with a reliable, easy-to-use system that accurately identifies the needs of English language learner students, based on integrated concepts of assessment, reporting, and improvement. The development of TABE CLAS-E was thoroughly research-based, including an analysis of state ESL standards and the established National Reporting System (NRS) levels for measuring educational gains. A comprehensive field standardization study was also conducted, using more than 12,000 individuals in various programs.

English proficiency levels are assessed to quantify adult learner reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills. A Locator Test ensures that students begin at the appropriate assessment level. Pre- and Post-Tests are available at four levels to ensure that students test within the correct range for their abilities. TABE CLAS-E delivers number-correct and scale scores for each skill area and for two composite skill areas - reading/writing and listening/speaking. Additional scores include NRS proficiency levels, objective mastery scores, and student performance levels. TABE CLAS-E quickly pinpoints student strengths and weaknesses, and demonstrates student gains for NRS reporting purposes. The assessments can be scored either by hand or with the TestMate® TABE software.

Professional Development is in integral component of TABE CLAS-E. Teachers use TABE-CLAS-E Instructional Guidance materials to learn how to interpret and apply test results, enhancing classroom instruction and streamlining student learning. Instructional Guidance materials address critical content objectives, and include on-site training and instructional videos for individual or group training sessions.

"We are very pleased to expand our working relationship with Arizona Department of Education by assisting them with their adult Title II needs," said Ellen Haley, president of CTB/McGraw-Hill. "We have successfully worked with the ADE on important projects such as Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) and the Norm-Referenced Tests (NRT), and look forward to future collaboration."

About CTB/McGraw-Hill

As the nation's leading publisher of standardized and standards-based achievement tests for pre-school, elementary, middle, high school, and adult education, CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC offers a broad range of assessments, software and services. CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC is part of the Assessment and Reporting group of McGraw-Hill Education (MHE), a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP). MHE is a leading global provider of print and digital instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 65 languages. Additional information is available at www.CTB.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: CTB/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Brandon Engle, Manager, Communications of CTB/McGraw-Hill,
+1-916-933-1291, Brandon_Engle@ctb.com

Web Site: http://www.ctb.com/