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
