ABE Case Studies
Bill: Age 22, Completed Grade 10, Unemployed but wants to get a GED before applying for a
job
 TABE Grade Level Results:
 Learning Style:
– Reading = 9.6
– Visual
– Language = 9.1
– Tactile
– Math = 7.5
 Barriers:
 Personal Goals
– Unreliable transportation
– Learn to use the computer
– Trouble keeping a job
better
– No home computer (Can use friend’s computer with
– Study online for the GED
Internet connection)
– Get a job
 Special Learning Needs:
 Career Interest
– Easily distracted
– Wants to be an EMT
– Thinks he has ADHD
– Never been diagnosed
Samantha: Age 32, Completed Grade 11, Unemployed, not in labor force
 CASAS Scale Score Results:
 Learning Style:
– Reading = 242
– Kinesthetic
– Math = 219
– Social-Group
– Expressiveness-Oral
 Personal Goals:
– Pass the GED
 Barriers:
– Help children with school
– Available for class only when children are in school
work
 Special Learning Needs:
– Be a better parent
– Difficulty with keeping place
– Trouble reading small print
 Career Interest
– Not sure about working
– No recent eye exam
James: Age 48, Completed High School, Employed
 TABE Grade Level Results:
 Learning Styles:
– Reading = 2.3
– Kinesthetic
– Language =
– Social Individual
– Math =
– Visual Numerical
 Personal Goals
 Barriers:
– Read better
– Only available certain evenings
– Learn to use the computer
– Work schedule sometimes changes
– Pass a qualifying test for a
– Does not like groups
better position at work
– States that he has a reading problem
 Career Interest
 Special Learning Needs:
– Better position at hospital
– Scored 15 on Learning Needs Screening
(currently works in food
– Doesn’t know if ever diagnosed for LD
service)
– Told he was ‘slow learner’
– Takes Zoloft for depression
Special Case Studies (OPT, Computer Lit, Work-based Project)
Tanya: Age 30, Completed High School, Unemployed currently seeking a job
 No standardized assessment administered
 No screening administered.
 Personal Goals
– Prepare a resume
– Prepare for an interview
 Career Interest
– Child care
Shawn: Age 18, Completed Grade 11, Unemployed
 OPT Overall Results = 2300
 No screening administered.
– Reading =460
 Special Learning Needs:
– Writing =450
– Stated he was diagnosed with ADHD
– Science =480
– Mother said he might need private room,
– Social Studies =480
breaks and extended time for GED Tests
– Math =430
– Wanted to try OPT without
 Personal Goals
accommodations first
– Pass the OPT/GED
Maria: Age 17, Completed Grade 11, Employed
 OPT Overall Results = 2270
 Learning Styles:
– Reading =470
– Kinesthetic
– Writing =400
– Social Individual
– Science =480
– Visual Numerical
– Social Studies =500
 Barriers:
– Math =420
– Has a young child.
– Can only come to class once or twice a
 TABE Grade Level Results:
– Language = 8.2
month.
– Math=8.5
 Special Learning Needs:
 Personal Goals
– None identified.
– Pass the OPT/GED
– Enroll in Community College
– Get financial aid
 Career Interest
– Not sure.
Nasim: Age 70, Completed High School in India, Retired
 Computer Literacy Self-assessment Checklist
 Learning Style:
Results:
– Visual
– Checklist level 2
– Social-Group
 Personal Goals
 Barriers:
– Improve Computer Skills
– Trouble reading computer screen
– Slightly hard-of-hearing
 Career Interest
– Speaks English with accent
– Retired. Not planning to work.
 Special Learning Needs:
– Difficulty with keeping place
– Trouble reading small print
– No recent eye or hearing exam
SPOKES Case Studies
Lydia: Age 20, Completed High School, TANF Recipient, recently applied for a job
 TABE Grade Level Results:
 Learning Style:
– Reading = 10.5
– Visual
– Math = 9.1
– Tactile
 Personal Goals
 Barriers:
– Go to college
– Car needs repair (can’t afford)
– Young children who often get sick
 Career Interest
– Not sure
 Special Learning Needs:
– Easily distracted
– Takes medication for depression
Michele: Age 28, Completed Grade 11 TANF Recipient, is available for work
 TABE Grade Level Results:
 Learning Style:
– Reading = 11.6
– Visual
– Math = 4.5
 Barriers:
– Depends on relatives for transportation
 Personal Goals
– Get a Job
– Pre-school age children
– Get a Drivers License
 Special Learning Needs:
 Career Interest
– None identified
– Become a Nurse
Joe: Age 37, Completed High School, TANF Recipient, CWEP Employee



TABE Grade Level Results:
– Reading = 7.5
– Math = 4.2
Personal Goals
– Get Drivers License restored (suspended
due to fines)
– Get a CDL
Career Interest
– Wants to be a Truck Driver



Learning Style:
– Tactile
Barriers:
– Comes to class with spouse
– Outstanding fines for traffic tickets
Special Learning Needs:
– ADHD Diagnosis
– Not on medication
ESL Case Studies
Chulwung: Age 29, completed Secondary School in Asia, unemployed, not in labor force
 CASAS Scale Score Results:
 Learning Style:
– Reading = 240
– Reading
– Listening = 234
– Work alone
 Personal Goals
 Barriers:
– Improve grammar & pronunciation in
– Does not have a driver’s license (gets a ride)
English
– Currently has no Social Security Number
– Prepare for TOEFL exam
– In the US as a tourist visiting relatives
– Enter a college in WV; get student visa  Special Learning Needs:
– Get a US driver’s license
– None apparent
 Career Interest
– Translator in own country
Ana Lucia: Age 26, completed 6th grade in Latin America, unemployed (works for cash)
 BEST Scale Score Results:
 Learning Style:
– BEST Literacy = 7
– Group
– BEST Plus Oral Interview = 420
 Barriers:
 Goals
– Works in the day (cleans houses for cash)
– Learn English
– Takes turns with spouse attending evening
– Speak English at doctor’s office &
class/watching kids
children’s school
 Special Learning Needs:
– Read medicine labels
– Trouble reading/writing in Spanish
 Career Interest
– Better job; not sure what kind
Farah: Age 60, completed college in the Middle East, unemployed, not in labor force
 BEST Plus Results:
 Learning Style:
– Oral Interview = 408
– Group
– Visual
 CASAS Scale Score Results:
– Reading = 205
 Barriers:
– Needs transportation to class
 Goals
– Talk with American neighbors
 Special Learning Needs:
– Prepare for US Citizenship exam
– Has trouble with memory
– Get a Driver’s License
 Career Interest
– Not planning to work