CTB/McGraw-Hill's English Language Assessment for Adult Learners Receives Texas Education Agency and Texas Learns 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 Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Texas Learns. This approval is the latest in CTB/McGraw-Hill's continued partnership with Texas 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 Texas standards for Adult Basic Education Programs. TABE is the only test accepted by Texas Education Agency and Texas Learns that meets all statewide regulatory requirements for adult education programs, applicable to school districts, community colleges, and workforce and worksource centers.

"CTB/McGraw-Hill has an ongoing commitment to Texas education, and we are proud to continue our partnership with the development of Texas-specific solutions," said Ellen Haley, president, CTB/McGraw-Hill. "With the statewide approval of TABE CLAS-E, education agencies across Texas now have access to an advanced system for effectively improving English skills and accurately measuring achievement 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. Furthermore, because TABE CLAS-E scores are linked to TABE 9&10, former ESL students can easily continue their progress towards obtaining their GED credentials, as scores are seamlessly transitioned to the TABE 9&10 scale.

  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 pinpointing student strengths and
      weaknesses quick and easy, and demonstrates 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.

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.

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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/