Steven R. Sligar, Ed.D., CVE, PVE
East Carolina University

Test Equity in VE
• Topics
– Two Premises
• Practitioner
• Practice
– Three Tools
• Instruments
• Techniques
• Strategies

Premise for Practice
• Use of corroborative information
– Case review/background information
– Collateral informants
– Interview information

Tools of VE
• Instruments
– Tests and Work Samples
• Techniques
– Situational Assessment
• Strategies
– Accommodations
– Modifications
– Supports (for learning)

Tests: Focus on Four Areas
• Achievement
• Aptitude
• Interest
• Other

Achievement
• Brief
– Wide Range Achievement Test 4 (WRAT 4)
• Comprehensive
– Adult Basic Learning Examination (ABLE)
– Stanford Achievement Test –Tenth Edition for use with Deaf or hard of hearing (SAT-10)
– Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ III
ACH)

WRAT-4
Pro
• Ages 5-94
• Spelling, reading , & sentence comprehension are untimed
• Useful as quick screening for job requirements
Con
• Spelling is dictated
• Reading assessed by pronunciation
• Sentence comprehension is spoken
• Arithmetic is timed

Adult Basic Learning Examination
(ABLE)
Pro Con
• Not timed
• Ages >17
• Based on number of years of formal schooling
• Useful in ABE or for workplace literacy
• Vocabulary & Arithmetic
Problem Solving (level 1) tests are dictated

WJIII ACH
Pro
• Age 2-90+
• 19/22 subtests untimed
• Select area to be measured—may use individual sections
• Used to identify instructional level & services needed
Concerns
• 4 oral language subtests
• Several subtests rely on hearing (words, sounds, taped story) , use of metaphors, and sound awareness.

SAT-10
Pro
• Time limits removed
• Deaf norms available
• Use with students in transition to postsecondary education
Concerns
• Limited use with adults
• Developed for schools

Aptitude Tests
• Multiple-Aptitude Batteries
– Career Ability Placement Survey (CAPS)
– O*Net Ability Profiler
• Dexterity
– Crawford Small Parts

CAPS
Pro
• High school & college norms
• 3 ability dimensions do not require reading
• Specific ability screening
• Career counseling
Concerns
• 6 th grade reading level overall (required for 5/8 ability dimensions)

O*Net Ability Profiler
Pro
• Free (almost)
• 8/11 subtests do not require reading
• Specific ability screening
• Career counseling
Concern
• 6 th grade reading level overall (required for 3/11 subtests)

Crawford Small Parts
Pro
• Easy to administer
• Timed or untimed
• Screening for jobs that require finger and manual dexterity
Concern
• Limited range of jobs

Intelligence Tests
• Beta-III
– Performance (non-verbal)
• Shipley-2
– Vocabulary and Abstraction (reading level not provided)
– Correlates to WAIS
– Impairment Index( useful with substance users , TBI )
• Wonderlic Contemporary Cognitive Ability Test
– Requires reading (reading level not provided)

Interest Tests
• Verbal/Written
– O*Net Interest Profiler
– Self-Directed Search (SDS)
• Pictorial
– Reading-Free Vocational Interest Inventory: 2
(RFVII:2)
– Wide Range Interest and Occupation Test
(WRIOT2)

O*Net Interest Profiler
Pro
• Free
• Holland Codes
• Direct link to the O*Net
• Useful for career counseling
Concern
• 8 th grade reading level

Self-Directed Search
Pro
• Form E 4 th grade reading level
• Holland Codes
• Useful for career counseling
Concern
• Self-administration requires self-knowledge and familiarity with activities

RFVII:2
Pro
• Pictorial
• Reading & writing free
• Ages >13
• Manual allows for item explanation
• Useful with persons who may have LD or ID
Concerns
• Items focus on unskilled and semi-skilled jobs
• Occupational areas do not relate to DOT, O*Net, or
Holland Codes

WRIOT2
Pro
• Pictorial
• Career counseling
• Individual pictures useful as counseling tool
Concern
• Requires some exposure to the depicted jobs

Initial Order of Administration
Traditional Post
Secondary
• Achievement
• Interest
• Aptitude
Other
• Physical Capacity
• Brief Achievement
• Interest
• Aptitude

Equity Metaphor
Silk Purse Sow’s ear