ASSESSMENT & INSTRUCTION
The Process
The assessment process described below has developed over the past six
years. It has been enhanced greatly in the past two years, the time during
which Sumner Adult Education's ABE to College Transition Program has been
supported by funding from The Nellie Mae Education Foundation and assistance
through World Education. Though reference is made to assessment in the
counseling component and our instructional and counseling components are
integrated, a thorough discussion of the counseling assessment is not
covered here.
As listed in the description of the process below, the instructor and
counselor meet to discuss results of assessments and the suitability of
the program for each student. We are currently developing a checklist
of criteria:
Sumner Adult Education Screening Checklist (DRAFT)
- GED/ Adult Diploma
- Accuplacer scores; Adult Education and developmental placements; regular
placements transcripts
- results of assessments conducted by MEOC, SAE
- status of college application process
- date of initial contact with transition program
- time management/management of enrollment process (phone call history,
appointment history, general follow-through)
- number of stresses, commitments
- status of pre-requisites
- proximity to planned college start-up
- length of transition course as it relates to student's skills needs
The initial instructional assessment including the initial interview
takes approximately 3 hours and may be conducted over two sessions, if
necessary.
The approximate distribution of the time is: 1/2 hour for the interview,
1 1/2 hour for the math assessment and 1 1/2 hour for the reading/writing
assessment.
Steps in the assessment process:
1. Students contact ABE to College Program through the adult learning
center, the Maine Educational Opportunity Center, or cooperating college.
2. Students are immediately referred from one of the these sources to
the others.
3. The assessment process begins at the point of contact:
- MEOC counseling assessment (interactive)
- Accuplacer (testing and follow-up review with the college counselor,
instructor,
and student about how the placements relate to the transition course)
- The initial learner interview (using the Learner Information Form)
and instructional
assessments with discussion of results
- Instructor and counselor meet to discuss assessments.
4. Assessment issues are discussed at orientation. Grading philosophy/criteria
are discussed and explained in writing.
5. Ongoing assessment including self-assessment using rubrics and checklists;
quizzes; in-class writing; and portfolio reviews is provided throughout
the duration of the courses.
6. Self-assessment takes place during mid-cycle evaluation of the courses.
Changes and adjustments are made in the courses and/or individual work
as a result of learner self-assessment/course evaluation.
7. Students have access to their ongoing assessment summary, a computer
record.
8. Exit assessments in reading, writing, math, and study skills take
place during the final sessions of the courses.
9. Portfolio review takes place during the final sessions of the courses.
10. Phone calls/meetings may be part of follow-up after the courses are
completed.
11. Students re-take Accuplacer after courses are completed.
12. Written assessment summaries are mailed to students.
13. Certificates are awarded to those who have completed the courses.
Sumner Adult Education
East Sullivan, Maine
ABE to College Transition
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