The What Works Clearinghouse was established in 2002 by the Department of Education to provide educators, policymakers, researchers, and the public with a central, independent, and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education. There is currently a much greater quantity of empirical evidence available in K-12 instruction than in adult instruction. Programs for Increasing Adult Literacy is one of the topic areas for year one of the What Works Clearinghouse (see http://www.w-w-c.org/topic4.html).

National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL): Through rigorous, high quality research, NCSALL seeks to increase knowledge and give those teaching, managing, and setting policy in adult literacy education a sound basis for making decisions. NCSALL is also a leader in designing innovative professional development programs and in building support for research use (see Establishing an Evidence-based Adult Education System). The quarterly publication of NCSALL, Focus on Basics, is a source of research and shared professional wisdom written for the practitioner.

Featured Resources in Assessment Research

Reading

Assessment strategies and reading profiles: research-based assessment practices for the adult education classroom
The site describes a process for developing an individual's reading profile that illustrates his or her strengths and instructional needs. Based upon the Adult Reading Components Study from the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL).

Cognitive reading assessment for low literate adults: an analytic review and new framework
This research project describes a model for using achievement tests in conjunction with cognitive assessments as part of a comprehensive assessment strategy.

The "Scientific" Understanding of Reading and the "Reading Potential" of Adults Assessed by Measuring Listening and Reading Abilities
This report presents data comparing adults' listening and reading skills measured using different types of tests.

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Math/Numeracy

Assessing Mathematical Knowledge of Adult Learners: Are We Looking at What Counts?
This technical report from NCAL was written by Joy Cumming, Iddo Gal, and Lynda Ginsburg in 1998. It discusses assessment principles and evaluates their implementation in common numeracy assessment tools.

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GED

Devil is in the details: Evidence from the GED on the role of examination system details in determining who passes
An analysis of data collected over 10 years that illustrates that the details of examination systems have marked impacts on the racial/ethnic composition of passers.

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Learner/Student Goals and Outcomes

I've come a long way: learner-identified outcomes of participation in adult literacy programs
The Learner Identified Outcomes study brings learners' perspectives to the ongoing research conversation on outcomes of participation in adult literacy education.

Outcomes of participation in adult basic education: the importance of learners' perspective
This paper suggests that learners have a different perspective on performance than the authors of the Workforce Investment Act.

Crafting curricula aims for instructionally supportive assessment
This article analyzes how state curriculum can be optimally configured to foster instructionally supportive assessment.

"I've Opened Up": Exploring Learners' Perspectives on Progress
This project explored what constitutes progress in community-based literacy programs from the perspective of learners. The research took place between December 2004 and January 2006 (Canada).

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Distance Learning

Assessment and accountability issues in distance education for adult learners
This paper discusses various issues and recommends best practices for counting distance learners under the current NRS system (Executive Summary).

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Performance Based Assessment

Performance-based assessment: promoting achievement for English language learners
A discussion of the need for assessments that focus on classroom learning.

Equipped for the Future Assessment Report: EFF/NRS Data Collection Project, 2000-2001
The goal of the project is to enable programs using EFF as a framework for instruction to report student progress from level to level on the National Reporting System (NRS).

Developing performance assessments for adult literacy learners: a summary For NRS guidelines
States that develop their own assessments must follow the procedures outlined in this paper in order to use them for National Reporting System accountability.

Performance Assessments for Adult Education: Exploring the Measurement Issues: Report of a Workshop
This federal report explores issues in using performance assessments as high stakes tests, and provides information on how to set quality guidelines for alternative assessments.

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Professional Development

Fundamental Assessment Principles for Teachers and School Administrators
This document describes 11 basic principles for guiding assessment training and professional development for teachers and administrators.

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Performance Accountability

Contested ground: performance accountability in adult basic education
This policy paper lays out key issues in performance accountability and presents recommendations for policy and action.

Assessments and Accountability
This document reviews the use of tests as key elements in five waves of educational reform over the past 50 years.

Assessing Results That Matter: Equipped for the Future's Approach to Assessment for Adult Basic Education Accountability and Improvement
This policy brief explains the EFF approach to developing good assessment tools.

Testing and Accountability in Adult Literacy Education
This report provides information on the design and evaluation of workplace literacy programs.

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Technical Reports

Assessment in Support of Instruction and Learning: Bridging the Gap Between Large-Scale and Classroom Assessment, A Workshop Report, National Research Council
Presentations from a dozen programs highlight their efforts to bridge the gap between assessment that focuses on accountability and that which focuses on learning. (Available at this url for purchase as well as free to read on-line.)

Performance Puzzles: Issues in Measuring Capabilities and Certifying Accomplishments
This article explores issues involved in using assessments as a means of defining standards and encouraging efforts to meet them.

Committee on Performance Levels for Adult Literacy: Letter Report
Recommendations concerning the 1992 NALS and 2003 NAAL whose content has significant implications for national literacy assessment research and policy.

Review of statewide learner competency and assessment systems
This paper outlines the initiatives undertaken by 11 states to develop program accountability and assessment systems.

Performance Assessments for Adult Education: Exploring the Measurement Issues: Report of a Workshop
This federal report explores issues in using performance assessments as high stakes tests, and provides information on how to set quality guidelines for alternative assessments.

Student Assessment in Adult Basic Education: A Snapshot
The purpose of this document is to report on the findings from a national survey on student assessment in adult basic education. This report is one of several outcomes from a national project entitled Assessment Practices in Adult Basic Education (Canada).

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