Connecticut

The Connecticut Competency System (CCS) serves as the standardized curriculum, assessment and instructional framework for all adult education providers funded by the State. Each local provider is required to have a Program Facilitator on staff, who are supported through statewide policy forums, structured training sessions (including a required certification track), regional networking meetings, formal policy manuals, and targeted technical assistance. In addition to these statewide supports/resources, each consultant at the State provides technical assistance to adult education within a service delivery area (SDA). Often this support includes site visits, regional meetings, as well as email updates to help providers implement state policy relative to student assessment and data collection/reporting. This focus helps providers use their data to inform decisions that can lead to program improvements and increased student outcomes.

State staff conduct targeted providers reviews each year to monitor onsite processes with respect to assessment and reporting. State staff also review providers data periodically to look for data anomalies and ensure that providers are complying with monthly data entry timelines.

LACES contains numerous edit checks that minimize the ability for users to enter data incorrectly. Here are some examples: Only approved assessments in the selected testing modality (e.g. reading, math, listening,) appear in drop down lists for data entry. Assessment scores entered into LACES will automatically generate an EFL. The system also calculates subsequent scores that are required for students to complete the level and advance. There are also validation rules for the number of instructional hours a student must have before another assessment is entered and there are validation rules for alternating versions of assessments.

Providers have access to real time data via a menu of reports that include NRS tables, goal setting, testing and attendance reports. All reports have an extensive filtering mechanism including gender, class, EFL Level that allows for further analysis.