GED Testing Service has published a brochure that programs can use to disseminate information to students about accessibility and accommodations on the GED tests. The brochure describes who might be eligible to request accommodations, what some accommodations may include, and how to get assistance in requesting accommodations.

You can request copies of the brochure by calling Patricia Jones, GED Testing Service, (202) 939-9490.

Dr. Larry Evans of UAMS has completed the research testing at local adult education programs as part of the TABE audiocassette validation study, funded by the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) and coordinated by the AALRC. The AALRC and NIFL would like to thank the programs that participated in the study, which should be completed by June 2003.

Each participating student was asked to take the TABE test twice: once with pencil and paper, and once using the audiocassette version. The purpose of the study is to determine if the standardized audiocassette version of the TABE test is a valid assessment tool. Dr. Evans also hopes to show that the audiocassette format is a valid accommodation for some students with learning disabilities.

Results from the study will be available on the AALRC website (http://www.aalrc.org) as soon as it is complete.

Patti White conducted the Strategies and Accommodations workshop again this year on May 1-2. The purpose of the workshop was to review and practice using instructional materials and strategies that are effective and appropriate for teaching adult students with learning disabilities. The focus of the materials was teaching both cognitive and metacognitive skills. Participants spent 1½ days learning to use all of the teaching materials, and the AALRC gave each participant their own box of materials at the end of the workshop, a value of about $200 each. Thirteen adult educators participated.

An article was published in Time Magazine on March 26, 2001 called, "Blame It On the Written Word", which reported that the English language has 1,120 different spellings for 44 phonemes. The Italian language has 33 different spellings for 25 phonemes. Are there fewer Italian dyslexics? Sì.

Every adult education and literacy program in Arkansas should have picked up their TABE Tests package on audio-tape by now.

If not or if you need an additional package for your satellite office, please contact Klaus Neu (klaus@aalrc.org) for further information.

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