Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906
Telephone: (781) 338-3000
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
Adult and Community Learning Services
TO:
ABE Directors, SABES Coordinators, WIA Administrators, Career Centers, LWIB,
Teacher/All Staff
FROM:
Jolanta Conway, ABE State Director
DATE:
February 25, 2016
RE:
What's in this Mailing?
The monthly mailing for February will be posted to our website shortly. Please review the information and share with your staff.

Save the Date! Tuesday, May 24, 2016, 8:30AM-5PM. One-day ABE Directors’ Meeting being held at the Devens
Common Center and Hilton Garden Inn. More information and registration link to follow.

ABE Program Design Training – Required for New Directors
The purpose of the ABE Program Design training is to enable ABE Directors and those who assist them to develop a
program plan using features in the SMARTT system. Participants will learn how to align the program plan with the
Massachusetts Policies for Effective ABE and ESE policy requirements. This training will give ABE Directors the tools
they need to understand how to transform grant requirements into a program plan. Participants will also learn how to
make revisions in the SMARTT plan for refunding.
The 3-day training will be held at Quinsigamond Community College, Harrington Learning Center, 109B, Worcester, MA
on the following dates:



Friday, April 1, 2016, 9:30 to 3:30 pm
Friday, April 8, 2016, 9:30 to 3:30 pm
Friday, April 15, 2016, 9:30 to 3:30 pm
To register, all new directors should email Barbara Pope at bpope@doe.mass.edu by Friday, March 11, 2016. Please
include Program Design Training in the subject line; in email body include legal program name (no acronyms), your title,
phone number and email address.
Please note, each training day is required and builds on the previous session, space is limited, and priority will be given
to new Directors and Coordinators.

Assessment Update:
-BEST Plus Recertification Reminder-Recertification Using Activity #2 will be due February 26, 2016 (attached)
-BEST Plus 2.0 Materials
-BEST Plus 2.0 Webinars
-CLAS E-Writing FY16 Recertification (attachments)

Curriculum Policy Update:
As you know, the deadline for completing all curriculum materials was extended past June 30, 2016, as communicated
at the CCR Conference earlier this year. The revised policy will be issued shortly.
Questions, Comments, or Suggestions?
Please contact Jane Schwerdtfeger at janes@doe.mass.edu.
1

Guide to Finding and Using PARCC Questions
Did you know that parents and teachers can view PARCC test items from last year's test? Almost 850 of the test
questions are online in the Partnership Resource Center.
This guide is designed to help parents easily navigate test questions and related materials, including sample student
responses to open-ended test questions such as writing tasks. The student responses include annotations that give
parents, teachers, and students specific guidance on how student work is scored.
The released test questions and tasks, including answer keys, standards alignment, and sample student responses can
be accessed in the Partnership Resource Center. Select the “Assessments” tab and then “PARCC Released items.” See
https://prc.parcconline.org/.

Massachusetts State Performance Measures Update:
As many of you know, a task force of five ABE directors worked with ACLS and a facilitator to draft performance
accountability recommendations in the fall of 2015. ACLS is now considering those recommendations while testing data
related to those recommendations. ACLS will then create cut points for each of the proposed measures. Please note
that no recommendations have been approved at this time. ACLS will review the recommendations along with test data
to see how the recommendations might be translated into performance standards.
Moreover, ACLS is awaiting federal guidance on the WIOA measures which states will receive by June. ACLS
anticipates that this guidance will affect aspects of the state performance accountability system.
In the meantime, programs should be reviewing the WIOA federal performance measures, found in section 116 (pages
47-49) of the WIOA bill, and looking at their own program data on Educational Functioning Levels (EFL).
ACLS will provide more information on performance accountability in the coming months.

Professional Development Announcement:
Create a SABES PD Account: SABES is excited to announce a NEW website feature! You will have the option to
create a SABES account when registering for SABES PD offerings. Instead of having to type in all of your information
each time you register for SABES PD, now you will just need to enter your information ONCE when creating your
account. Then, each time you register for a SABES PD offering, just login to your account and all of your information will
be automatically entered into the event registration form. Also, you will have the option to sign up to receive newsletters
and notifications when new resources and offerings are added to the SABES website and calendar from the SABES PD
Centers of your choice. If you have any questions about the new SABES accounts, please contact SABES at
sabes@edc.org.
SAVE THE DATE: The NETWORK 2016 Conference, sponsored by the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Basic
Education (MCAE), will take place on Friday, May 13, 2016. The conference will be held at the Best Western Royal
Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, MA from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This conference provides attendees with opportunities to
network with colleagues, learn new teaching and advising strategies, gain insight on policy directions, meet with
exhibitors, and celebrate the field of ABE. Practitioners are encouraged to consider sharing their expertise by presenting
at the conference; note that the DEADLINE to submit presenter applications is FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016. For more
information, see http://www.mcae.net/index.php.

SMARTT Update:
-Data Lock-Out and Automatic Exit
-SMARTT/Cognos Trainings and Support
-Name that Data System
2
Assessment Updates
OWL System for MAPT
On Tuesday, March 1, the OWL system for MAPT testing will be down from 7:45am to 8:15am while database
maintenance is performed, and the MAPT will not be accessible during that time. It is expected that the system will be up again
by 8:15am.
1. BEST Plus FY16 Recertification Reminder
BEST Plus Recertification is due February 26, 2016. In order to be recertified, BEST Plus administrators must submit Scoring
Activity # 2 to the SABES PD Center for Assessment. Please refer to the January 2016 ACLS mailing for detailed information on
the BEST Plus FY16 recertification process:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/acls/mailings/2016/0121.pdf
2. BEST Plus 2.0 Materials
As mentioned in an earlier ACLS notification, to help you get ready for BEST Plus 2.0, the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
will provide each program with one complimentary BEST Plus 2.0 Test Administrator Guide and one USB drive that includes the
BEST Plus 2.0 software.
Programs can click here to confirm their primary contact and shipping information by May 1, 2016. Programs will also be
receiving a reminder postcard from CAL in the mail.
Complimentary BEST Plus 2.0 materials will be shipped by CAL in June 2016. For test security, CAL will send the
complimentary BEST Plus 2.0 materials only to programs that have confirmed their shipping address. Pre-ordering for additional
BEST Plus 2.0 materials will begin on May 16, 2016.
3. BEST Plus 2.0 Webinars
The recording and the PPTs from the February 17th webinar for NRS users are now available on the CAL website:
http://www.cal.org/aea/bestplus/2.html .
4. CLAS E-Writing FY16 Recertification
The procedure for submitting TABE CLAS E Writing recertification has changed this fiscal year.
Consistent with FY15 procedures, Program Directors or Assessment Coordinators must complete the TABE CLAS E-Writing
Scoring Recertification Program Form. This form is available in this ACLS mailing as well as on the SABES calendar:
http://www.sabes.org/event/747 .
The form must be completed electronically (no handwritten forms will be accepted) and emailed or faxed to Joan Ford, SABES
Director of Assessment by Friday March 25, 2016.
Joan Ford’s contact information: joan.ford@bristolcc.edu; fax: 508.730.3280.
Program directors and assessment coordinators listed on the form will be notified by email of their test takers’ scores and
recertification status by Monday, April 18, 2016.
Recertification is required annually. Practitioners receiving their Initial Certification in FY16 do not recertify until FY17.
Test administrators who wish continue to administer and score the TABE CLAS-E Writing assessment need to complete the
accompanying recertification, which uses actual Massachusetts ABE student responses.
Please note that this year each test administrator needs to go online to enter scores and rationales. Paper documents
will not be accepted. Please use this link to submit your individual scores and rationales.
3
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QDOtdrrLr-evuKFaUgLwKRAQ4HlYDGajiFx3hfVuZw/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link
The score sheet included in the FY16 recertification packet gives you space to note your score and rationale before going online
to enter your information in the electronic score sheet.
It is imperative that practitioners use the correct CLAS-E Expository Writing Rubrics with the Embedded Notes to the Scorer and
The Supplementary Scoring Guide for the CLAS-E Expository Writing Assessment when scoring the items in the Recertification
Packet. Your scoring rationale should reflect the wording in the Rubrics.
Scoring Process:
Test administrators pass if:
 They score 70% or better, with six or less items incorrect (e.g. exact scores according to the Score Rationale. One of
the six items may be two points off).
 It is optional but highly recommended for test administrators to go over the score rationale individually or with other
program staff. Their passing status is sent to the program director and test administrator and then logged into the
database. (Note: test administrators will not receive a certificate. Program directors should print out the email indicating
practitioners’ certification status to give to practitioners. Everyone should retain a copy for their records.)
Test administrators need to go through a remediation by phone if:
 They score 60-65%, with seven to eight items incorrect (e.g. exact scores according to the Score Rationale. One of
the seven or eight items may be two points off).
 They will set up a time for a remediation session by phone.
 Once the phone remediation is complete and has been determined to have been successful by Joan Ford, test
administrators may score tests. Their status is sent to the program director and test administrator and then is logged into
the database. (Note: test administrators will not receive a certificate. Program directors should print out the email
indicating practitioners’ certification status to give to practitioners. Everyone should retain a copy for their records.)
Test administrators may not score in FY16 or FY17 until they take another face-to-face training if:
 They score 55% or less, with nine or more items incorrect (e.g. exact scores according to the Score Rationale).
 They may not score any tests until they attend a CLAS-E Writing training. Trainings for this purpose will be scheduled.
 Directors should hire another certified administrator to complete their post-tests. Directors may contact other directors or
Joan Ford for names of potential scorers.
 Once they complete the training, their status is sent to the program director and test administrator and then logged into
the database. Program directors should print out the email indicating practitioners’ certification status to give
practitioners. Everyone should retain a copy for their records.)
Recommended Preparation for Taking the Recertification:
To prepare for scoring the recertification test, make certain that you first review the following materials:
1. The CLAS-E Expository Writing Rubrics with the embedded Notes to the Scorer (attached)
2. The Supplementary Scoring Guide for the CLAS-E Expository Writing Assessment (attached)
3. The TABE’s CLAS-E Writing Scoring Guide, which includes the Sample Responses in Parts 4 and 5 (each program
should have a copy).
Important Note:
When determining a score response, the Writing Rubrics are the most important item of the three listed above. The
Supplementary Scoring Guide is meant to support one’s understanding of the Rubrics and not to supersede them.
The Sample Responses should also be used to inform one’s scoring, but if their information is in conflict with or contradicts the
Rubric or the Supplementary Scoring Guide, follow what the Rubric indicates first. Make certain you are using the correct rubric
for each item you are scoring.
ACLS encourages all those recertifying in the TABE CLAS-E Writing to prepare for the recertification with a scoring refresher
4
session. The SABES PD Center for Assessments is providing a one hour webinar on February 26, 2016 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM
that will go over last year’s TABE CLAS-E Writing Recertification test by reviewing the scores and rationales. CLAS E-Writing
administrators can register for this webinar here: http://www.sabes.org/event/1040 .
The session will include a short review of the rubrics and the Supplemental Scoring Guide and will address issues typically seen
with scoring. Newer scorers and those who have been scoring for years are welcome to join. The goals of this upfront review is
to reduce the amount of remediation work that sometimes follows recertification and ideally ensure more scorers are on board
for programs’ end-of-the-year student testing.
Please do your own work and do not share the scoring packet in this mailing with anyone.
For any assessment-related questions, please contact Dana Varzan-Parker, ACLS Assessment Specialist at email address:
dvarzan-parker@doe.mass.edu or telephone: 781-338-3811
5
SMARTT Update, February 2016
1) Data Lock-Out and Automatic Exit
Please remember to enter December’s attendance no later than February 29th (Leap Year) at which point the data will be
locked out.
The next automatic exit for students is on February 15, 2016. SMARTT will automatically exit a student from the program
when both of the following occur:
 No attendance was recorded for that student during the months of September, October, and November, which have
been locked out.
 No attendance has yet been entered during the months of December and January for which data is still allowed.
2) SMARTT/Cognos Trainings and Support
SABES is offering the following trainings:
SMARTT New User (Online): February 1-26, 2016
Intermediate Cognos (Online): February 22-26, 2016
Intro to Cognos (Online): April 4, 2016
You can register online by visiting their website at: http://calendar.sabes.org. .
For SMARTT or Cognos technical assistance, bookmark http://smartthelp.zendesk.com. On that page, near the upper right
corner, click "Submit a Request” or search the help files there.
3) Name that Data System
Last month, we conducted a survey to name the new SMARTT/SchoolBrains system that we will be transitioning to. Thank
you to all who participated; the top two vote getters were SAM (System for Accountability Management) and DOC (Data
Organization and Collection System). We’ve decided to extend the voting for another month, but this time with only three
choices. Those who participated during the first round are invited to vote one more time. The choices are:
1. SAM
2. DOC
3. SMARTT3
Where did SMARTT3 come from? For the past few weeks, the SMARTT Support Team within the Department has been
surreptitiously referring to the new system as SMARTT3. For that reason, and also because three choices just feels better
than two, we’ve decided to include it as one of the finalists.
A few of you from the previous round inserted some clever names into the “Other” category, but upon further review, none of
them passed the admittedly subjective “Can we live with this?” test.
Questions? Please contact Russell Fenton at russell.fenton@doe.mass.edu.
6