CTB/McGraw-Hill's English Language Assessment for Adult Learners Receives Florida Department of Education Approval

CTB/McGraw-Hill today announced that TABE CLAS-E™, the Company's English language proficiency assessment for adult learners, has been approved by the Florida Department of Education. This approval is the latest in CTB/McGraw-Hill's continued partnership with Florida Adult Educators through the TABE (Tests of Adult Basic Education) family, now meeting the needs of adult ESL students with TABE CLAS-E (TABE Complete Language Assessment System - English™).

Agency approval of TABE CLAS-E demonstrates that the assessment system has passed Florida standards for Adult Basic Education Programs, meets all statewide regulatory requirements for adult education programs, and is applicable to school districts, community colleges, and workforce centers. With this approval, TABE CLAS-E can be used in Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or English Literacy for Career and Technical Education (ELCATE) programs for students whose first language is not English. The approval applies to placement assessments in the adult ESOL program. TABE CLAS-E provides a streamlined transition for those using the current TABE assessment that also need to transition into or out of an adult ESOL program. Additionally, TABE CLAS-E meets the federal requirements of Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which states that federal funding for adult education requires documented evidence of educational gains.

"CTB/McGraw-Hill has a longstanding partnership with Florida Department of Education, and we are excited to be able to contribute to Florida's Adult ESOL programs," said Sandor Nagy, chief operating officer, CTB/McGraw-Hill. "TABE CLAS-E now offers Florida educators a superior system for measuring progress and improving English skills among adult English language learners."

TABE CLAS-E provides teachers with a reliable, easy-to-use system that accurately identifies the instructional needs of adult English language learners. TABE CLAS-E assesses English proficiency levels to accurately measure students' reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills. An optional speaking test gives teachers maximum flexibility in how they assess their students. Key features of TABE CLAS-E include:

  --  Assessment - TABE CLAS-E accommodates all English proficiency levels
      to accurately measure students' reading, listening, writing, and
      speaking skills.
  --  Reporting - TABE CLAS-E delivers number-correct and scale scores for
      each individual skill area, and for two composite skill areas -
      reading/writing and listening/speaking - and for the total battery of
      assessments. Additional scores include National Reporting System (NRS)
      proficiency levels, objective mastery scores, and Student Performance
      Levels (SPLs). TABE CLAS-E makes it quick and easy to pinpoint student
      strengths and weaknesses, and to demonstrate student gains for NRS
      reporting.

  --  Professional Development - TABE CLAS-E goes beyond proficiency
      measurement to help teachers develop targeted instruction. Following
      student assessment, teachers can tailor instructional programs with
      the help of TABE CLAS-E's Instructional Guidance materials, including
      Teachers' Resource Guides, lesson plans, and more. Additionally, video
      training materials allow efficient group or individual educator
      training sessions.

TABE CLAS-E is based on the latest research by CTB/McGraw-Hill experts, including thorough analysis of and alignment with state English as a Second Language standards, the Common European Framework, and the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 (English as a Second Language-For Adults). The system also provides NRS levels for measuring educational gains. TABE CLAS-E has been validated by a comprehensive field standardization study, encompassing more than 19,500 individuals, both in the United States and internationally.

CTB/McGraw-Hill is an official Sponsor of Adult and Community Educators of Florida (ACE) and will be attending the Daytona Beach, Florida ACE Conference September 21-23. For more information, visit www.aceofflorida.org.

About the TABE Family of Assessments

TABE CLAS-E is the latest addition to the TABE family of products, the nation's leading adult basic education program comprising a complete and flexible system of diagnostic assessments and instructional support materials to meet the diverse needs of adult students. TABE measures basic reading, mathematics, and language skills, as well as optional spelling, vocabulary, and language mechanics tests. TABE has been successfully used by millions of adult students, and has been proven to provide the information educators need to ensure that their adult students will be successful in today's society. TABE is a registered trademark, and TABE CLAS-E and TABE Complete Language Assessment System - English are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. For more information please visit www.CTB.com.

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 McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP). McGraw-Hill Education is a leading global provider of instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. Additional information is available at www.CTB.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: CTB/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Brandon Engle, Manager, Communications, +1-916-933-1291,
Brandon_Engle@ctb.com

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