Test Equity Test Equity in in Vocational Vocational EvaluationEvaluation

Steven R. Sligar, Ed.D., CVE, PVESteven R. Sligar, Ed.D., CVE, PVEEast Carolina UniversityEast 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• Not timed• Ages >17• Based on number of

years of formal schooling

• Useful in ABE or for workplace literacy

Con• 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• 6th 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• 6th 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• 8th grade reading level

Self-Directed Search

Pro• Form E 4th 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