Students entering the ESOL program are required to take the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) language placement test. Students entering the ABE or GED programs are required to take the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) for placement.

Similarly, students entering the career and technical programs consisting of 450 clock hours or more in length are also required to take the TABE upon entry into their program of study. The purpose of testing is to verify grade levels for individualized instruction and program completion.

Adult Basic Education (TABE)

The TABE is used to establish a student’s grade level in Reading, Math, and Language. It is administered to all students entering CTE, ABE, and GED classes. When students fall below the required level, they are placed in Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes and post-tested at the end of the school trimester after accruing at least 60 instruction hours. TABE score requirements for Career/Technical students vary according to the occupational program.

Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS)

The CASAS test is administered to students entering English language classes. It consists of Reading and Listening components. After pre-testing, the lower of the two scores is used for placement in one of the six ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) levels ranging from Foundations to Advanced. After participating in ESOL classes for at least 70 hours and making adequate academic progress, students can be sent by the teacher to take the post-test. The results of the post-test will determine whether they advance to the next level or continue for further instruction at the same level. Itemized test reports generated from the CASAS are also used by ESOL teachers to tailor instruction based on students’ needs.

Testing Schedules

TABE and CASAS testing are offered at the Main campus, Monday to Thursday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For further information about any of the above tests and for testing schedules, please contact:

Testing Chairperson: Aurora Diez-Arguelles

Location: Southwest Adult Education Center

Office: (305) 274-0181, extension 2276

Schedule: Monday thru Thursday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

E-mail: auroradiez@dadeschools.net