TASC. Copyright © 2013 CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC. Agenda TASC Overview – TASC Common Core transition...

Copyright © 2013 CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC.

Agenda• TASC Overview

– TASC Common Core transition– TASC test design and developmental foundation– Subtests

• Language Arts -Reading• Language Arts -Writing• Mathematics• Science• Social Studies

• Testing Room Preparation• Standard Testing Procedures• Test Administration

– TASC Paper and Pencil– TASC Online

• Post Administration Procedures2


What is TASC?• The Test Assessing Secondary Completion is CTB/McGraw-

Hill’s high school equivalency test

• Accessible to the approximately 40 million adults in the U.S. without high school or equivalency diplomas

• Measures readiness for college or workforce as outlined by the Common Core State Standards and relative to that of graduating high school seniors

• Examinee Cost - $0 in New York State

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Measurement of Common Core State Standards

• TASC provides a transition to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) over a three year period - 2014 to 2016 inclusive

• TASC will increase the Depth Of Knowledge (DOK) level of items over time allowing states to gradually move from the essential concepts of the Common Core State Standards to deeper understanding

• TASC supports adult learners and adult education centers as they shift from current preparation practices to those required for the full depth and breadth of CCSS

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Delivery Format

• TASC is available in 2 formats:– Paper-and-pencil– Online

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TASC Readiness Assessment• Official (Practice) Readiness Test• Pre-Readiness embedded in curriculum• Developed and Field Tested with TASC• Half the length of TASC• Available both Online and Paper Based

– Paper Test Locally scored

• Predictive Diagnostics for TASC

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Subject AreasTASC assesses five subject areas including:• English Language Arts: Reading

– Common Core State Standards – College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education

• English Language Arts: Writing– Common Core State Standards – College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education

• Mathematics– Traditional mathematical pathway of the Common Core State Standards– College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education

• Science– Next Generation Science Standards

• Social Studies– CTB Social Studies Standards are based on national frameworks in the areas of US

history, world history, civics and government, and economics

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Test Formats• Three TASC forms are available each year in

both English and Spanish for each of the subtests– Forms A, B, and C

• Test formats include:– Large print– Braille– Audio– Paper and pencil– Online assessments

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TASC Test Design

• 2014 test includes:– Multiple-choice items (4 answer choices; a, b, c, d)– Writing prompt (evidence-based writing)– Gridded-response items (Mathematics)– Stimulus-based science and social studies item sets

• 2015 test (and beyond) includes an increased coverage of the CCSS through inclusion of additional item types and increased rigor– Constructed-response items– Technology-enhanced items

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Estimated Time to Complete Test Sessions• The maximum length of time for a test session in which all five (5) subtests

are given is approximately 8.5 hours which includes approximately 420 minutes (7 Hours) for testing. The approximate time for each subtest is listed below:

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Subject Domain Est. time to Complete

Language Arts Reading 70 minutes

Language ArtsWriting 50 minutes

Language 60 minutes

Mathematics 90 minutes

Social Studies 70 minutes

Science 80 minutes


TASC – Language Arts/Reading

Domain/Reporting Category Approximate Domain Coverage

Time to Complete

Number of Items

Reading – Informational and Language (vocabulary acquisition) 70%

70 minutes 50 MC items7-8 passagesReading – Literary and

Language (vocabulary acquisition) 30%

The TASC emphasizes the Common Core State Standards for Reading for grades 9-12 that are the most relevant to College and Career Readiness.


TASC: Language Arts/Reading• Six texts representing a variety of genres, with an emphasis on

– literary fiction and nonfiction – historical, scientific, and technical informational texts.

• Texts require close, analytic reading, and associated test items focus on examinees’ use of evidence to support their analyses (claims, conclusions, inferences) about texts.

• A portion of the Reading score points (10%-15%) are derived from items that assess language acquisition and use. – Vocabulary items assess the use of word analysis skills, use of reading closely, and

using a variety of resources and analytic skills to determine meanings in context and interpret the author’s use of figurative language and literary devices.

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TASC: Language Arts/Reading

High Emphasis:• Informational Reading: Key Ideas and Details• Informational Reading: Craft and Structure• Literature Reading: Key Ideas and Details• Language: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

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TASC – Language Arts /Writing


Time to Complete

Number of Items

Language100% 60 minutes 50 MC items

Writing

100% 50 minutes1 prompt based on

1-2 passages

The TASC emphasizes the Common Core State Standards for Language (grades 7-12 accumulative) and Writing (grades 11-12) that are the most relevant to College and Career Readiness.


TASC: Language Arts/Writing

• The primary claims for the Language Arts/Writing test can be used to make inferences about whether examinees have learned to:– read and interpret complex text– anchor their interpretations in text– use reading to interpret unfamiliar vocabulary– use information from what they have read to support the ideas in

their writing– use skills and rules necessary for editing and revision of their writing

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• Two-part Language Arts/Writing component • Part 1: Multiple Choice– Editing/revision items assessing skills such as:• Revising text structure• Creating divisions to achieve more effective text

organization that provides a more unified and clear meaning

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TASC: Language Arts/WritingRead these sentences.

Waiting for news about the flight delay, Sam looked for a quiet place in the noisy terminal to make a phone call. Jordan tried to find an outlet where she could plug in her computer. Which revision most clearly combines the two sentences?

A. Waiting for news about the flight delay, Sam, while Jordan tried to find an outlet where she could plug in her computer, looked for a quiet place in the noisy terminal to make a phone call.

B. Waiting for news about the flight delay, Sam and Jordan looked for a quiet place in the noisy terminal to make a phone call and tried to find an outlet where she could plug in her computer.

C. Waiting for news about the flight delay, Sam looked for a quiet place in the noisy terminal to make a phone call, while Jordan tried to find an outlet where she could plug in her computer.

D. Waiting for news about the flight delay, Sam looked for a quiet place in the noisy terminal to make a phone call, although Jordan tried to find an outlet where she could plug in her computer.

Answer: C DOK:2 17



Part 2: Writing • Students will write an evidence-based

informative/explanatory or an argument/opinion essay that effectively uses source text to support claims

• Source texts are between 600-800 word and focus on assessing writing standards 1 and 2

• Examinees are permitted 50 minutes for this component• The essay is scored using the applicable 0-4 point holistic

rubric with descriptors that focus on the expectations of the CCSS Writing standards

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TASC: Language Arts/WritingLanguage Emphasis :• Demonstrate command of the following conventions of standard English

– grammar usage – capitalization– punctuation– spelling

• Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts to improve comprehension

Writing Emphasis:• Write arguments/opinions to support claims OR• Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas,

concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

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TASC – Mathematics


Time to Complete

Number of Items

Number and Quantity 15%

90 minutes 40 MC items12 GR items

Algebra 25%Functions 25%Geometry 25%Statistics and Probability 10%

• The Standards for Mathematical Practice, as well as the High School Modeling domain, are not separately assessed and reported on TASC, but are skills that are incorporated throughout the assessment of the content standards.


TASC Test DesignGridded-response items (Mathematics) Sample Below

Consider this function.f (x) = – 2 x + 7What is f (− 3)?

Answer Key: 13DOK: 1

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TASC: Mathematics

• Items assess examinee ability to solve routine and non-routine mathematics problems using the application of conceptual and procedural knowledge

• Mathematics test consists of a calculator section and a non-calculator section

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Calculator: TI-30XS


TASC: Mathematics High Emphasis• Algebra: Arithmetic with Polynomials and Rational Expressions• Algebra: Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities• Algebra: Creating Equations• Algebra: Seeing Structure in Expressions• Functions: Interpreting Functions• Functions: Linear, Quadratic, and Exponential Models• Geometry: Geometric Measurement with Dimension• Geometry: Modeling with Geometry• Number and Quantity: The Real Number System

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TASC – Science


Time to Complete

Number of Items

Physical Science 33%

80 minutes 47 MC items8 stimuli

Life Science 34%Earth and Space Science 33%Engineering, Technology, and Application of Science (integrated across content domains)

100%

Scientific and Engineering practices (integrated across content domains) 100%

Cross-cutting Concepts (integrated across content domains) 100%

The TASC is designed to assess the performance expectations in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).


TASC: SciencePhysical Sciences• Matter and Its Interactions• Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions• Energy• Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer• • Life Sciences• From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes• Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics• Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits• Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity• Earth and Space Sciences• Earth’s Place in the Universe• Earth’s Systems• Earth and Human Activity

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TASC Test Design• Stimulus-based science item sets

SCIENCE:A certain plant species varies in the shape of its leaf edges. Some of the plants have wavy-edged leaves, and some of the plants have straight-edged leaves. In this plant species, the trait for leaf-edge shape is controlled by a single gene. The dominant allele is represented by L, and the recessive allele is represented by l.Two plants with wavy-edged leaves are crossed with each other, producing 421 offspring plants. Of these, 298 offspring plants have wavy-edged leaves, and 123 offspring plants have straight-edged leaves.What are the genotypes of the parent plants in this cross?

A. Ll and ll B. Ll and Ll C. LL and ll D. LL and Ll

Answer: B DOK: 3

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TASC – Social Studies


Time to Complete

Number of Items

US History 25%

70 minutes 47 MC items8 stimuli

World History 15%Civics and Government 25%Geography 15%Economics 20%

TASC will use national standards created by groups that specialize in the following domains: U.S. History, World History, Civics and Government, Geography, and Economics


TASC: Social StudiesHigh Emphasis• U.S. History: Post-War United States (1945-1970s)• U.S. History: The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945)• U.S. History: Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)• Civics and Government: U.S. Constitution: Embodies the

Purpose, Values, and Principles of American Democracy • Civics and Government: Civic Life, Politics, and Government• Civics and Government: Foundations of the American Political

System• Economics: Government and Economics • Economics: Microeconomics

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TASC Test Design• Stimulus-based social studies item sets

SOCIAL STUDIES:Look at the chart. Then answer the questions that follow.

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TASC Test Design• Stimulus-based social studies item sets

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Which of these organizations was formed to prevent a common threat? A. NATO B. OPEC C. EU D. WTO

Answer: A DOK: 2

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Testing Preparation

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Test Administration Staffing• State or Area Administrator (GED® Test Administrator)

– Responsible for the secure and legally defensible operation and administration of the TASC throughout the state or designated area

– Sets the policy for staffing requirements

• Test Coordinator (GED® Chief Examiner)– Responsible for supporting the State or Area Administrator in the conduct of

secure and legally defensible TASC administration– Carries out the instructions provided in the Test Coordinators’ Manual

• Examiner (GED® Examiner/Proctor)– Under the direction of the Test Coordinator– Responsible for carrying out the instructions provided in the Examiner’s

Manual including work during testing associated with the actual standardized and accommodated administration of the tests

– 1 Examiner per 20 test takers is required

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Staffing Qualifications• All testing center staff should be trained in the administration of

secure, standardized tests in general and in the administration of the TASC in particular

• Must be a distinct firewall between TASC administration and TASC instruction and preparation

• Qualifications of the Test Coordinator include:– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience is preferred– Prior experience proctoring and administering tests– Strong communication and customer service skills– Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. on occasion– Experience with MS Office Suite, Windows applications, Apple OS applications, Internet and

email– Strong proficiency in English language

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Physical Layout of Testing Room• Examinees should have sufficient space to allow for

a private and secure testing environment• Testing room should be outfitted with comfortable

seating• There should be sufficient tabletop space to allow

the examinee to work with scratch paper• Tables/desks should be arranged such that staff

can easily pass between them

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Testing Room Preparation

• Testing center should be a clean, well lit, quiet area that is free from distractions such as bells or telephones. It should also:– Have easy access to restrooms and water fountains– Provide adequate space for the examiner to be able to monitor and

view the examinees at all times– Be arranged such that the needs of examinees with testing

accommodations and partial testers can be met

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Testing Room Preparation• Remove or cover all classroom visual aids such as wall posters

or other items in the testing area that might provide answers to test questions

• Use a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door of the testing room• On the board or flip chart, etc. which is fully accessible to all

examinees indicate starting and stopping times for each subtest when applicable

• Announce to the examinees the amount of time remaining for each subtest (e.g. 30 minutes, 15, 10, etc….)

• Ensure that a clock is in the room and is visible to all examinees

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Test Administration

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Executed Test Center Agreement • Approval by the State:

– NYSED will identify and approve the Test Center and each of its respective Addendum Sites, if any, for administration of TASC and will notify CTB in writing

• Acceptance by CTB:– CTB will provide acceptance of Test Center prior to the first TASC test

administration by the Test Center providing the Test Center can: • (i) provide secured testing services for TASC and comply with all terms

and conditions of the Agreement; • (ii) provide adequate and qualified staff that will comply with the Test

Coordinator’s Manual and the Test Examiner’s Manual; • (iii) is geographically located within the State and meets all site

requirements; • (iv) has or will be able to meet all training requirements


Materials Ordering Process1. NYSED orders test materials

− Test sites will be responsible for providing quantities to NYSED who will place the order with CTB

− Alternate forms may be ordered through NYSED

2. CTB fulfills and ships order to test site− Includes test books, calculators, Examiner’s Manual, answer sheets, GIS (Group Information

Sheet) and TSL (Test Site List) sheets− Additional materials may be ordered through CTB Customer Service at (888) 282-0589

3. Test Coordinator inventories and securely stores received materials and fills out appropriate inventory sheets

− If a discrepancy is found, the Test Coordinator notifies CTB and the State Administrator− The Security Checklist (inventory sheet) is included with the shipment− Test Coordinators must send Part 3 of the Security Checklist back to CTB/McGraw-Hill within

24 hours to confirm that all serial numbered materials have been received

4. Test Site tests examinees using the defined processes as outlined by the Test Coordinator Manual and Examiner Manual

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Standard Testing Procedures

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Examinee Eligibility• Individuals are eligible to take the TASC if they:

– Are not enrolled in regular high school AND– Have not already received a high school equivalency diploma OR– Have not received a high school diploma recognized by NYS

• In order to take the test the examinee is required to:– Be at least 19 years of age OR be at least 16 years of age and meet all

eligibility requirements as outlined in Commissioner’s Regulations 100.7

– Be a New York State resident for at least 30 days– Have a valid, current, government-issued ID with a recent photo such

as a driver’s license, non-driver’s license ID, passport or U.S. Military ID

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Plan Your Testing Schedule• Read and be thoroughly familiar with the Examiner’s

Manual and requirements prior to testing• Plan test administration accordingly for examinees

requiring accommodations• Allow sufficient time for examinee to fill in the

demographic information and complete the scheduled test(s)

• Schedule breaks, which are indicated in the specific directions for each content area

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Sample Reading Question


Key Elements of Research Design

• Spring/Summer 2013 Field Test– Item analysis used for preliminary forms construction– Items that do not demonstrate good measurement properties were removed from

the pool for operational form development and/or revised for Fall field test

• Fall 2013 Research– Item analysis, scaling, bias studies, operational form construction– Comparability of computer-based and paper-based tests– Comparability of Spanish and English tests

• Standard setting– Pass scores will be set using a variety of methods including identifying the scale

locations at which we would expect approximately 60% of high school students in the nation to pass all 5 TASC tests.

– Current pass rates are not expected to change substantially

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National Acceptance of TASC• State Issues the final Credential• US Department of Education

– OVAE– HEP/CAMP– Financial Aid

• US Chamber of Commerce• US Department of Labor• National Association of Workforce Boards• Job Corps• Leadership Conference • Correctional Education Association

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Communication• TASC Website

– www.tasctest.com • Sample questions• Overview chart of content coverage • additional information for educators and students

• Social Media• Facebook.com/TheTASCTest• Twitter.com/TheTASCTest• TheTASCTest.Wordpress.com/

• Training– Regional Trainings– Webinars

http://www.tasctest.com/

http://facebook.com/TheTASCTest

http://facebook.com/TheTASCTest

http://twitter.com/TheTASCTest

http://twitter.com/TheTASCTest

http://thetasctest.wordpress.com/

http://thetasctest.wordpress.com/


Availability of Materials• Collaborating with divisions in McGraw-Hill to produce

TASC and Common Core materials– The Official Guide to the TASC – available in December– Common Core Basics and Achieve

• Providing support to a variety of publishers

• Readiness assessment for state use

• Additional information will be posted on our website as it becomes available


Questions/Comments?

Mike JohnsonNational Adult Education [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

TASC. Copyright © 2013 CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC. Agenda TASC Overview – TASC Common Core transition...

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Transcript of TASC. Copyright © 2013 CTB/McGraw-Hill LLC. Agenda TASC Overview – TASC Common Core transition...