Assessment Strategies and Reading Profiles (ASRP)

Assessment Strategies and Reading Profiles (ASRP) provides research-based assessment strategies to improve reading instruction for Adult Basic Education and Adult Secondary Education learners.

Author(s)
Dr. Rosalind Davidson
Kelly Bruce
Dr. John Strucker
Steve Quann
Sally Waldron
Author(s) Organizational Affiliation
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL)
Harvard University Graduate School of Education
National Institute for Literacy
World Education, Inc.
Publication Year
2009
Resource Type
Informational Material
Abstract

Assessment Strategies and Reading Profiles (ASRP) provides research-based assessment strategies to improve reading instruction for Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Adult Secondary Education (ASE) learners. This website was designed in 2002 by the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL), with funding from the National Institute for Literacy, and was revised in 2009. This online diagnostic reading assessment, based on the ARCS Study, shows instructors how to identify students' reading strengths and weaknesses. Instructors can use this knowledge to target their instruction more effectively.ASRP site includes information on the components of reading and the use of reading profiles for instruction, as well as downloadable free tests and directions on how to match adult learners' test scores to research-based reading profiles. In addition, the site includes instructional suggestions, based upon profile matches, and additional resources and references on reading, assessment, and instruction. The website also provides access to a video that demonstrates a teacher giving a diagnostic reading test to an adult learner.

The ARCS was designed to provide useful portraits for both practitioners and policy makers of the various types or clusters of readers enrolled in US adult basic education programs, including both native speakers and those in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. For the study, 955 randomly selected learners (676 ABE and 279 ESOL) were interviewed and assessed at learning centers in Texas, Tennessee, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. They were given a battery of reading and language assessments to determine their instructional needs. Over half of this testing was done by local ABE and ESOL practitioners who were trained to administer the battery and conduct the interviews in a uniform manner.
This interactive website for adult education practitioners includes two tracks for learning about the tool.
From the website:
On the "Match a Profile" track, you can enter scores for your learner and be matched to one of the 11 ARCS-based profiles. You will find suggestions for instruction as well as information about the ARCS learners in this group that may relate to your learner
Although you will find enough information on the "Match A Profile" track to understand your learner's reading profile, the "Mini-Course" offers an opportunity to learn more about reading. You will find extensive information on the major reading components and assessment as well as sections containing references and downloadable resources.

Benefits and Uses

 The Assessment Strategies and Reading Profiles (ASRP) website includes information on how to determine ABE and ASE learners’ reading levels through the use of diagnostic reading tests that can be used to create reading profiles. This resource includes downloadable free tests, methods of matching test scores, and additional resources and references on reading, assessment, and instruction. ASRP would be most useful to teachers, program administrators, and professional developers who are interested in research-based assessment strategies to improve reading instruction for ABE and ASE learners.

Required Training

None