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ABE Handbook Section 3: Funding

The program can offer all services at no cost to students through federal and state grants awarded to us by the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) Office of Career Readiness, Adult Learning & Education Options. In order to receive continued funding, the program must meet negotiated performance indicators. While there are no monetary expenses for students, we ask that students help us fulfill our performance benchmarks through regular attendance and progress testing. The more students participate in class and study at home, the quicker students can reach their goal(s). If their plan includes getting a job, keeping a job, passing a high school equivalency (HSE) exam, or transitioning to college or training, we get closer to meeting a program outcome when students meet this goal. The hours students accumulate in and out of class will count towards their eligibility to test at the end of the session. Improving test scores is another way students can help us meet a program outcome.

Performance Indicators

These performance indicators are reported to our grant sponsors as evidence that we are fulfilling the grant's requirements. We also provide demographic information such as age, education level, ethnicity, employment status, gender, etc. While a social security number (SSN) is not required to enroll in this program, collecting the SSN helps us verify employment-related performance indicators through a data match conducted by NDE in a federal registrar. For those who do not provide us with an SSN, program staff will call students once they have left the program to verify one of our performance indicators' achievement.

  • the percentage of students who made a measurable skill gain (MSG) by:
    • advancing a level on their pre- to post-test, or
    • earned their HSE certificate before June 30
  • the percentage of students who are employed six months after completing or leaving the program (90+ days without hours)
    • median earnings are also collected
  • the percentage of students who are employed twelve months after completing or leaving the program (90+ days without hours)
  • the percentage of students who earn an HSE certificate and:
    • obtain or retain employment, or
    • are in an educational training program leading to a recognized post-secondary credential within one year after completing or leaving the program (90+ days without hours)
  • the percentage of students who earn a recognized post-secondary credential while enrolled in the program or within one year after completing or leaving the program (90+ days without hours)

Any change of name, address, email, or telephone number should be reported to the instructors or the office as soon as the change takes effect. The program needs current information to conduct follow-up calls or contact them in case of an emergency or provide class updates.

Assessments

We are required to administer federally and state-approved standardized assessments. Pre- and post-testing allows the program to verify enrollment, evaluate the quality of instruction, monitor student progress, and demonstrate measurable skill gains. Standardized testing provides for uniformity across all programs of instruction when evaluating program data. Scores are used to place students into the appropriate instructional level. Students must pre-test before 12 hours of instruction and post-test after a specific number of hours. We must maintain an overall post-test rate of 70% or greater. We utilize the following tests:

  • Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) - Reading
  • Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) Complete Language Assessment System (CLAS-E) - Listening, reading, and writing
  • Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) 11 & 12 - Mathematics and reading

Pre-Test

Students take their pre-test before they start classes. This chart shows which tests and levels are administered to program students:

Assessment Assessment Level Subject(s) Student Population Student Level
CASAS A Reading ELL ELL 1
CLAS-E 1 Reading and writing ELL ELL 2
CLAS-E 1–4 Listening, reading and writing ELL ELL 3–7
TABE 11/12 L Language, mathematics and reading ABE Literacy
TABE 11/12 E–A Language, mathematics and reading HSE HSE 1–6

Post-Test

Post-testing occurs at the end of each session, over a couple of days. Students must be eligible to post-test by meeting the required minimum hours. Instructors enter attendance hours into an internal system which allows us to verify eligibility. Instructors will proctor the post-test in class. If students miss their post-test, we ask that students schedule an appointment with our office to make up the test.

Post-Test Intervals

Students can accrue hours of instruction through class attendance, participating in tutoring or special topics, completing state-approved homework, and logging hours in an approved online platform.

Test Interval
CASAS After 50 hours of instruction
TABE CLAS-E After 60 hours of instruction
TABE 11 & 12, Levels 1–4 After 60 hours of instruction
TABE 11 & 12, NRS Levels 5–6 After 40 hours of instruction

Exceptions

If students are moving away, we ask that they inform their instructor to request an exception to the post-test intervals.