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Welcome to week 4 of our CASAS STEPS decoding series. We have discussed some of the reasons for the test change, reviewed important ESOL acronyms, answered teachers’ FAQs, and this week we are discussing the focus of the new CASAS STEPS, which replaced the CASAS Life and Work Series in July 2024. The new assessment correlates with ELP Standards and CASAS competencies and tests students’ higher thinking order (DOK levels). Let’s explore what that means and how to prepare our students for this new challenge.

English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)

The ELPS describe the language skills Adult ELL (English Language Learners) need to achieve the higher academic standards required for college and career readiness. The ten anchor standards cover reading, listening, speaking, writing, and language. However, the CASAS STEPS tests only assess ELPS competencies that relate to listening and reading.

CASAS STEPS Competencies

TheÌýCASAS CompetenciesÌýidentify more than 360 essential life skills for adult learners; the competencies are relevant from beginning literacy through postsecondary education and training. The new CASAS STEPS covers the following content areas: Basic Communication, consumer economics, community resources, health, employment, and Government and Law.

Depth of Knowledge (DOK)

Webb’s Depth of Knowledge was introduced in 1997 by Norman Webb from the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. DOK explains and categorizes academic tasks according to the complexity of thinking required to successfully complete them, ranging from basic recall (level 1) to basic application of skills/concepts (level 2), strategic thinking (level 3), and extended thinking (level 4). (See printable chart).

Aligned with federal academic standards, the new CASAS STEPS is a valuable tool to assess students in areas that are essential for life in the United States. ÃÛÌÒapp’s Future Series is completely ready and aligned with those critical instructional standards (ELPS and CASAS Competencies) in every lesson. Future Series also specifies cognitive skills in every lesson to ensure that students are engaging in different levels of thinking throughout the instruction (DOK).

Click hereÌýto download a printable version of the DOK chart, to browse our textbook selection, including our CASAS STEPS aligned FUTURE Series. If your program is not yet using the series, or if you’d like tutorials and tips as a current user,Ìýclick here. Follow along onÌýÌýand share this post with your fellow teachers and administrators.

Back in July 2024, the CASAS test was updated to become the CASAS STEPS (Student Test of English Progress and Success). In our previous blog posts, we discussed some of the reasons for the change,Ìýwe covered acronyms every Adult ESOL teacher should learn, and this week we are answering frequently asked questions regarding the new assessment.

1. What is the timeline for the CASAS STEPS implementation?

The new test has been available since 2023 and was fully implemented nationwide on July 1, 2024. The CASAS STEPS is approved by OCTAE for NRS reporting through July 2030.

2. How is the STEPS series different from the previous series?

The CASAS STEPS assessments contain more rigorous questions and provide shorter testing times. Both Reading and Listening STEPS now have five levels, measuring academic vocabulary and higher-order thinking skills contained in the ELP Standards. Note that the test form numbers have also changed, ranging from 621R-630R and 621L-630L.

3. What is the STEPS scale score range in relation to NRS levels?

The new test levels are A-E, with two alternate forms for each level. The STEPS levels correspond to NRS levels 1-6. Each STEPS level overlaps with two - and only two - NRS levels, so there is no chance of a level 1 (beginning ESL literacy) student accidentally testing into a level 5 (high intermediate) class.

4. How many questions are there and how long is each test?

Reading: Locator (15 minutes); Level A (33 items, 30 minutes); Level B (36 items, 50 minutes); Levels C-E: (36 items, 75 minutes).
Listening: Locator (15 minutes); Level A (33 items, 28 minutes); Level B (36 items, 45 minutes); Level C (39 items, 52 minutes); Level D (39 items, 56 minutes); Level E (39 items, 38 minutes).

5. Can we pretest with the Life and Work series while transitioning to the STEPS series?

No, agencies cannot pretest students on the Life and Work series and post-test on the STEPS series. It is essential that pre- and post-testing always occurs within the same series to ensure test reliability and validity.

6. What are the STEPS competency areas?

Basic communication, consumer economics, community resources, health, employment, and government and law (new for test levels D and E).

7. What task areas does each test contain?

The Reading STEPS contains four task areas: 1. Forms; 2. Charts, tables, and graphs; 3. Texts, emails, articles, and narratives; 4. Signs, ads, and labels. The following ELPS skills are assessed: vocabulary, details, main idea, inference, point of view, and supporting evidence.

The Listening STEPS contains five task areas: vocabulary, details, dialogue, main idea, and summary. The following ELPS skills are assessed: retell key details, continue conversation, identify the main topic, and summarize.

8. How can I prepare my students for the new test?

ÃÛÌÒapp offers a wide selection of educational material to prepare you and your students for the new CASAS STEPS. Our FUTURE series is completely aligned with the new test format, with lesson prep tips, notes and examples for teachers, templates, study guides, test overviews, printed and digital test practices, answer sheets, and the integrated online platform MyEnglishLab.

What other questions do you have?

Click here to download a printable version of the charts and tables, to browse our textbook selection, including our FUTURE Series. If your program is not yet using the series, or if you’d like tutorials and tips as a current user,Ìýclick here. Follow along onÌýÌýand share this post with your fellow teachers and administrators.

As you might have learned, the CASAS Life and Work Test series has been updated to become the (Student Test of English Progress). In last week’s blog, we discussed a few of the reasons for the change, and now it is time to review some key terminology to help you further understand what goes on in the ESL field of Adult Education. This week, we’ll review a list of 10 significant Adult ESL acronyms you will come across throughout your teaching career.

1) WIOA - Workforce Innovations Opportunity Act

Passed in 2014, the WIOA was designed to strengthen and improve our public workforce system by helping job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services. It requires states to strategically align their workforce development programs to coordinate the needs of both job seekers and employers.

2) OCTAE - Office of Career Technical and Adult Education

The OCTAE administers and coordinates programs related to adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges.

3) NRS - National Reporting System for Adult Education

The NRS is the accountability system for federally funded adult education programs authorized by the WIOA. The NRS includes the WIOA primary performance indicators, which describe adult education students and programs.

4) EFL - Educational Functioning Levels

EFL Descriptors for Literacy/English Language Arts are intended to guide both teaching and assessment for adult learners. They are organized into reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language domains. There are 6 NRS EFLs: Level 1) Beginning ESL Literacy, Level 2) Low Beginning ESL, Level 3) High Beginning ESL, Level 4) Low Intermediate ESL, Level 5) High Intermediate ESL, and Level 6) Advanced ESL.

5) ELPS - English Language Proficiency Standards

ELPS are standards developed to address the need for educational equity, access and rigor for adult ESOL learners with the goal of preparing students for career/postsecondary education.

6) CCR - College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education

The CCR reflects the content most relevant to preparing adult students for success in colleges, technical training programs, work, and citizenship in the areas of English language arts/literacy and mathematics.

7) CASAS - Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems

CASAS provides testing of basic and academic skills for youth and adults and curriculum tools for educators. Tests are approved by the Department of Education and the Department of Labor for native and non-native English speakers to assess reading, listening, speaking, writing, and math skills from the lowest literacy levels to high school exit and transition to postsecondary education, training, and the workforce.

8) CASAS STEPS - Student Test of English Progress and Success

NRS-approved assessments for ESL that measure academic vocabulary and higher-order thinking skills contained in the ELPS. Replaced the CASAS Life and Work reading and listening test series.

9) MSG - Measurable Skill Gain

MSG is the documented academic, technical, occupational, or other forms of progress toward a credential or employment. Documented progress can be measured by comparing a participant’s initial EFL as determined by a basic skills pre-test with the participant’s EFL as determined by the same basic skills post-test.

10) IET - Integrated Education & Training

IET is an education model that combines occupational skills training with adult education services to increase the educational and career advancement of participants. It has three required components - adult education and literacy activities, workforce preparation activities, and workforce training, which must all be provided simultaneously.

What other acronyms have you come across in the Adult Education field?

Click here to download a printable version of this cheat sheet to browse our textbook selection, including our CASAS STEPS-aligned FUTURE Series. If your program is not yet using the series, or if you’d like tutorials and tips as a current user, click here. Follow along on and share this post with your fellow teachers and administrators.