Tech User of the Month: Rio Salado College - College Bridge Pathways Testing Team!

As you are most likely aware, administering the TABE assessments during the pandemic has come with unique challenges, to say the least. Rio Salado College’s Testing Department worked together (virtually) to meet this need. Ultimately, they took a systemic approach to remote proctoring and developed processes that will best serve students not just through the pandemic, but beyond it. Additionally, a solution involving EdReady was designed for those students who could not test remotely. 

What new procedures/practices have been implemented at the testing center that are a result of the pandemic? What need drove those changes?

As a result of the pandemic, Rio Salado College’s Testing Department (RSC Testing) began working entirely remotely.  For Adult Education, this meant the development of processes and procedures for remote testing of TABE 11/12 and TABE CLAS-E.  RSC Testing created the process from scratch to support six virtual locations.  The team transitioned quickly from a “location-based” model to a “program-wide” model, where all team members worked together to serve all students. The testing department collaborated with the Adult Education program to determine what was needed to support students with remote testing.  For the past year, the two teams have conducted monthly meetings to discuss student needs, and brainstorm ways to improve the testing experience. One outcome was developing a communication tool using Google Forms and Google Sheets to refer students to test, document student contact, and track testing progress.  The Testing Google Sheet has evolved over time, with advanced conditional formatting to flag students who are overdue for testing, need additional communication, or have completed their exam. ADE has also been a key partner in developing new procedures, with RSC Testing regularly providing updates on testing procedures and learning best practices from other programs.

To support the transition to virtual testing, RSC Testing spent time training their team.  One impressive outcome was a comprehensive testing process document that outlines the virtual testing process from beginning to end.  The document even includes scripts for staff to use when communicating with students and links out to additional supporting resources. It is well-designed and will support any staff member, new or experienced, with the remote testing process.

Virtual testing can be challenging for students, so RSC Testing was thorough in their approach to ensuring student success.  To support test scheduling, RSC testing developed an interactive email where students select their testing appointment at a time that is convenient and even modify their appointment time if needed.  Communication is key, so RSC Testing built in multiple touch points with students, including emails, texts, and phone calls, to ensure students attend their testing appointment and understand what is required and expected to test.  At the beginning of virtual services, RSC Testing offered tech check opportunities, where students could engage with a testing team member to ensure their computer was set up for remote testing. To further support this communication, RSC Testing created a how-to video for students to watch prior to their first testing appointment, preparing them for the testing experience.  New information and features continue to be added to the video to improve the student experience, including Spanish captions! To support language learners, RSC Testing has the ability to send communication in students’ primary language when requested.

While remote testing has been the biggest change, RSC Testing has initiated new procedures for in-person testing as well.  Social distancing and safety protocols have been established for a safe testing environment.  The Google Form and Sheets is also used for in-person testing, which is a significant change from the previous use of paper-based forms.  Before the pandemic, TABE testing was on a first-come, first-served basis where students showed up at the testing center at any time.  Currently, Adult Education and RSC testing are collaborating through a Google calendar to coordinate testing schedules for in-person testing. 

At the core, these changes were a result of the pandemic and a need for remote testing.  However, as time went on, many decisions were made with long-term, post-pandemic considerations in mind.  For example, the shared Google Form and Sheets has resulted in a standardized communication and method between the departments to track students’ testing progress.  One location used the idea of a testing video to create a different video to prepare ELAA students for in-person, computer-based CLAS-E testing, as this can be a difficult transition.  New possibilities have opened up, and RSC is looking for creative ways to continually improve the testing experience for students.

Will the changes carry on beyond the pandemic?

Yes!  Rio Salado College serves a community that encompases and embraces a diverse population with a variety of needs.  Offering remote TABE testing is one more option for students.  RSC Testing seeks to ensure that students are able to meet their educational goals, which includes providing in-person and remote testing options.  While testing remotely, potential transportation and childcare barriers are mitigated, which can be a concern.  In-person testing could be a barrier for virtual students, so providing remote testing supports this new population that the Adult Education program plans to continue to serve. 

Beyond offering remote testing, other procedures established will likely carry on as well. Monthly meetings between RSC Testing and Adult Education have established valuable connections and supported increased collaboration.  The Google Form and Sheet for tracking student testing is a streamlined form of communication that also produces valuable data for process improvement.  The transition to remote services prompted RSC Testing and Adult Education to adopt a new perspective on the student testing experience and the two departments hope to continue to find ways to improve the student experience long-term.

Click here to view RSC Testing's TABE Testing Instruction Video

For students who are unable to test remotely, an EFL Conversion Chart was created based on EdReady's diagnostic. How were the ranges in the EFL Conversion chart determined? How is the chart utilized (by teachers, students, staff, etc.)? 

When Rio Salado Adult Education transitioned to remote services and RSC Testing waited for guidance on offering TABE 11/12 and CLAS-E remotely, there was a gap in determining student EFLs.  Rio Salado was able to continue to offer instruction, but faced challenges when identifying the levels and instructional needs of incoming students.  Even as testing became available remotely, many students were unable to TABE test due to technology barriers.  There was a clear need to establish an EFL for students.  EdReady was available and Rio Salado had previous success implementing the diagnostic test.  EdReady’s strength is that it targets students’ instructional needs.  It was an easy fix for a hectic time.

To determine the EFL chart, a committee of Rio Salado instructional leaders, led by Mary Ann Hartwick, looked at about 50+ students across the program who had previously taken the EdReady diagnostic test and TABE 11/12 in Math and Reading.  The committee examined the two scores and matched the ranges to determine the conversion chart.  From experience using EdReady previously, instructors recommended that students always start on the lowest level currently offered - Math E/M and Reading D.  They found that this gives a wider range of scores, with students in beginning levels able to find success while students at higher levels still determine areas of need.

All incoming HSE students take the EdReady diagnostic test, whether or not they have the ability to take the TABE test remotely.  To streamline the processes and accurately compare EFLs, all students test Math E/M and Reading D.  Based on the diagnostic results and the developed chart, a provisional EFL is established for new students.  If a student does not need a provisional EFL they have still started in EdReady and their academic needs are determined for their learning path.

The chart has proven to have greater value than simply establishing an EFL.  The provisional EFLs are shared with instructors through class rosters, similar to how TABE results were previously shared.  Instructors are provided with an incoming level in both English and Math and can see the focus areas for each student.  This information is beneficial for lesson planning, determining breakout room activities, and understanding what topics may pose a challenge.  The information can also be used for class placement, with students being placed in a class appropriate for their level.  Rio Salado recently transitioned to location-based goal keys, so instructors can support all students they work with and view their learning progress.

An unexpected value that came from determining provisional EFLs through EdReady was easier collaboration with [email protected].  Rio Salado is co-enrolling students with Title IB, and one of the requirements is a TABE test to determine a student’s incoming level.  Currently, not all students are able to TABE test, which makes them ineligible for co-enrollment.  Title IB recognized the value in the EdReady diagnostic test and agreed to use the provisional EFL established through EdReady as a substitute for the TABE. Clearly, the chart has proved to be valuable!

Click here to view RSC Testing's EdReady-EFL Conversion Chart

Is there anything else you’d like to add?   

While the pandemic has brought plenty of challenges, Rio Salado has embraced the change it has brought.  We look forward to establishing new processes when we fully resume in-person services.  In addition, we understand that virtual services are here to stay and are excited to serve students in new, innovative ways. Thank you to our team members who make this work happen and collaborate for the benefit of our students! A HUGE thanks to RSC Testing, as they have been instrumental in continuing to offer testing services to students.

Thank you to Natalie Fox, Rachel Rahn, Diana Pinon, MaryAnn Hartwick, Elizabeth Kerr, and Kelly Stewart for embracing change and using it to improve services! 

Are you or someone you know implementing technology into instruction in an innovative way?

Send nominations to [email protected]

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