81_FR_90159 81 FR 89920 - Tests Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education

81 FR 89920 - Tests Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 239 (December 13, 2016)

Page Range89920-89922
FR Document2016-29899

The Secretary announces tests, test forms, and delivery formats that the Secretary determines to be suitable for use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS). The Secretary also clarifies that, to provide for the transition from the performance accountability system for the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) program under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to the performance accountability system for AEFLA as reauthorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), this announcement will remain effective until June 30, 2019.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89920-89922]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29899]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Tests Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the National Reporting 
System for Adult Education

AGENCY: Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Secretary announces tests, test forms, and delivery 
formats that the Secretary determines to be suitable for use in the 
National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS). The Secretary also 
clarifies that, to provide for the transition from the performance 
accountability system for the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act 
(AEFLA) program under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to the 
performance accountability system for AEFLA as reauthorized by the 
Workforce Innovation and

[[Page 89921]]

Opportunity Act (WIOA), this announcement will remain effective until 
June 30, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay LeMaster, Department of Education, 
400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 11-152, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, 
DC 20202-7240. Telephone: (202) 245-6218 or by email: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 14, 2008, we published in the 
Federal Register final regulations for 34 CFR part 462, Measuring 
Educational Gain in the National Reporting System for Adult Education 
(NRS regulations) (73 FR 2306). The NRS regulations established the 
process the Secretary uses to determine the suitability of tests for 
use in the NRS by States and local eligible providers. We annually 
publish in the Federal Register and post on the Internet at 
www.nrsweb.org a list of the names of tests and the educational 
functioning levels the tests are suitable to measure in the NRS as 
required by Sec.  462.12(c)(2).
    On April 16, 2008, we published in the Federal Register a notice 
inviting test publishers to submit tests for review (73 FR 20616).
    On February 2, 2010, we published in the Federal Register a notice 
(February 2010 notice) listing the tests and test forms the Secretary 
determined to be suitable for use in the NRS (75 FR 5303).
    The Secretary determined tests and test forms to be suitable for a 
period of either seven or three years from the date of the February 
2010 notice. A seven-year approval required no additional action on the 
part of the publisher, unless the information the publisher submitted 
as a basis for the Secretary's review was inaccurate or unless the test 
is substantially revised. A three-year approval was issued with a set 
of conditions to be met by the completion of the three-year period. If 
these conditions were met, the Secretary would approve a period of time 
for which the test may continue to be used in the NRS.
    On September 12, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 
56188) an annual notice of tests determined suitable for use in the NRS 
(September 2011 notice). The September 2011 notice updated the list 
published in the February 2010 notice and included suitable test 
delivery formats. The September 2011 notice clarified that some, but 
not all, tests using computer-adaptive or computer-based delivery 
formats are suitable for use in the NRS.
    On August 6, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 
46749) an annual notice of tests determined suitable for use in the NRS 
(August 2012 notice) that included the same list of forms and computer 
delivery formats for the tests published in the September 2011 notice. 
We also announced a sunset period during which States and local 
providers could continue to use tests with three-year NRS approvals 
otherwise expiring on February 2, 2013, during a transition period 
ending on June 30, 2014.
    On January 25, 2013, we announced in the Federal Register (78 FR 
5430) an extension of the approval period for tests approved for a 
three-year period beginning on February 2, 2010. The approval period 
was extended from February 2, 2013 to September 30, 2013, without 
affecting the sunset period ending on June 30, 2014.
    On December 12, 2013, we published in the Federal Register (78 FR 
75550) an annual notice of tests determined suitable for use in the NRS 
(December 2013 notice) that updated the August 2012 notice and provided 
an extension of the approval period for three tests initially approved 
for a three-year conditional period from February 2, 2010. The approval 
period was extended to June 30, 2015. We also announced an extension of 
the approval period for one additional test--a revised version of a 
test previously approved for a three-year conditional period from 
February 2, 2010. The approval period for that test also was extended 
to June 30, 2015.
    On October 29, 2014, we published in the Federal Register (79 FR 
64369) an annual notice of tests determined suitable for use in the NRS 
(October 2014 notice) that updated the December 2013 notice. We 
announced that the four tests with approvals extended through June 30, 
2015, may be used in the NRS during a sunset period ending on June 30, 
2016.
    On August 12, 2015, we published in the Federal Register (80 FR 
48304) an annual notice of tests determined suitable for use in the NRS 
(August 2015 notice) that updated the October 2014 notice. We announced 
that three tests, previously approved for an extended period through 
June 30, 2015, were approved for an extended period through February 2, 
2017, and one test--a revised version of a test previously approved for 
an extended period through June 30, 2015--was approved for an extended 
period through February 2, 2017.
    In this document, the Secretary announces the list of tests and 
test forms determined to be suitable for use in the NRS. These include: 
(1) The eight tests previously approved for a seven-year period from 
February 2, 2010 through February 2, 2017 and now approved for an 
extended period through February 2, 2019; (2) three tests previously 
approved for an extended period through February 2, 2017 and now 
approved for an extended period through February 2, 2019; and (3) one 
test--a revised version of a test previously approved for an extended 
period through February 2, 2017--for which the Secretary is extending 
approval through February 2, 2019. The Secretary is taking this action 
to extend the approval periods for all 12 of these tests through 
February 2, 2019 in light of the following intervening factors: (1) The 
Department's plan to implement new descriptors for the NRS educational 
functioning levels and implement new regulations in 34 CFR part 462 
that became effective on September 19, 2016 and that will govern the 
assessment review process; (2) the Department's desire to minimize 
disruption for its grantees in the transition to AEFLA as authorized by 
WIOA, including with respect to measuring educational gain under the 
NRS; and (3) the attendant transition authority in section 503(c) of 
WIOA, which authorizes the Secretary of Education to ``take such 
actions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to provide for 
the orderly transition'' from AEFLA as authorized by WIA to AEFLA as 
authorized by WIOA.

Approved Tests, Forms, and Approval Periods

    Adult education programs must use only the approved forms and 
computer-based delivery formats for the tests published in this 
document. If a particular test form or computer delivery format is not 
explicitly specified for a test in this notice, it is not approved for 
use in the NRS.

Tests Previously Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the NRS for a 
Seven-Year Period From February 2, 2010 Through February 2, 2017 and 
Now Approved for an Extended Period Through February 2, 2019

    (a) The Secretary has determined that the following test is 
suitable for use at all Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Adult Secondary 
Education (ASE) levels and at all English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) 
levels of the NRS until February 2, 2019:
    Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) Reading 
Assessments (Life and Work, Life Skills,

[[Page 89922]]

Reading for Citizenship, Reading for Language Arts--Secondary Level). 
Forms 27, 28, 81, 82, 81X, 82X, 83, 84, 85, 86, 185, 186, 187, 188, 
310, 311, 513, 514, 951, 952, 951X, and 952X of this test are approved 
for use on paper and through the computer-based delivery format. 
Publisher: CASAS, 5151 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 
92123-4339. Telephone: (800) 255-1036. Internet: www.casas.org/.
    (b) The Secretary has determined that the following tests are 
suitable for use at all ABE and ASE levels of the NRS until February 2, 
2019:
    (1) Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) Life 
Skills Math Assessments--Application of Mathematics (Secondary Level). 
Forms 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 505, and 506 of this test are 
approved for use on paper and through the computer-based delivery 
format. Publisher: CASAS, 5151 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 220, San 
Diego, CA 92123-4339. Telephone: (800) 255-1036. Internet: 
www.casas.org/.
    (2) Massachusetts Adult Proficiency Test (MAPT) for Math. This test 
is approved for use through a computer-adaptive delivery format. 
Publisher: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary 
Education and University of Massachusetts Amherst, College of 
Education, 156 Hills South, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 
Amherst, MA 01003. Telephone: (413) 545-0564. Internet: www.sabes.org/.
    (3) Massachusetts Adult Proficiency Test (MAPT) for Reading. This 
test is approved for use through the computer-adaptive delivery format. 
Publisher: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary 
Education and University of Massachusetts Amherst, College of 
Education, 156 Hills South, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 
Amherst, MA 01003. Telephone: (413) 545-0564. Internet: www.sabes.org/.
    (4) Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE 9/10). Forms 9 and 10 are 
approved for use on paper and through the computer-based delivery 
format. Publisher: Data Recognition Corporation--CTB, 13490 Bass Lake 
Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311. Telephone: 800-538-9547. Internet: 
www.ctb.com/.
    (5) Tests of Adult Basic Education Survey (TABE Survey). Forms 9 
and 10 are approved for use on paper and through the computer-based 
delivery format. Publisher: Data Recognition Corporation--CTB, 13490 
Bass Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311. Telephone: (800) 538-9547. 
Internet: www.ctb.com/.
    (c) The Secretary has determined that the following tests are 
suitable for use at all ESL levels of the NRS until February 2, 2019:
    (1) Basic English Skills Test (BEST) Literacy. Forms B, C, and D 
are approved for use on paper. Publisher: Center for Applied 
Linguistics, 4646 40th Street NW., Washington, DC 20016-1859. 
Telephone: (202) 362-0700. Internet: www.cal.org/.
    (2) Tests of Adult Basic Education Complete Language Assessment 
System--English (TABE/CLAS-E). Forms A and B are approved for use on 
paper. Publisher: Data Recognition Corporation--CTB, 13490 Bass Lake 
Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311. Telephone: (800) 538-9547. Internet: 
www.ctb.com/.

Tests Previously Approved for an Extended Period Through February 2, 
2017 and Now Approved for an Extended Period Through February 2, 2019

    (a) The Secretary has determined that the following tests are 
suitable for use at all ABE and ASE levels of the NRS until February 2, 
2019:
    (1) General Assessment of Instructional Needs (GAIN)--Test of 
English Skills. Forms A and B are approved for use on paper and through 
the computer-based delivery format. Publisher: Wonderlic Inc., 400 
Lakeview Parkway, Suite 200, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Telephone: (877) 
605-9496. Internet: www.wonderlic.com/.
    (2) General Assessment of Instructional Needs (GAIN)--Test of Math 
Skills. Forms A and B are approved for use on paper and through the 
computer-based delivery format. Publisher: Wonderlic Inc., 400 Lakeview 
Parkway, Suite 200, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Telephone: (877) 605-9496. 
Internet: www.wonderlic.com/.
    (b) The Secretary has determined that the following tests are 
suitable for use at all ESL levels of the NRS until February 2, 2019:
    (1) Basic English Skills Test (BEST) Plus 2.0. Forms D, E, and F 
are approved for use on paper and through the computer-adaptive 
delivery format. Publisher: Center for Applied Linguistics, 4646 40th 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20016-1859. Telephone: (202) 362-0700. 
Internet: www.cal.org/.
    (2) Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) Life and 
Work Listening Assessments (LW Listening). Forms 981L, 982L, 983L, 
984L, 985L, and 986L are approved for use on paper and through the 
computer-based delivery format. Publisher: CASAS, 5151 Murphy Canyon 
Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92123-4339. Telephone: (800) 255-1036. 
Internet: www.casas.org/.

Revocation of Tests

    Under certain circumstances, the Secretary may revoke the 
determination that a test is suitable (see 34 CFR 462.12(e)). If the 
Secretary revokes the determination of suitability, the Secretary 
announces through the Federal Register and posts on the Internet at 
www.nrsweb.org a notice of that revocation, along with the date by 
which States and local eligible providers must stop using the revoked 
test.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (such as braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free 
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the 
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well 
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9212.

    Dated: December 7, 2016.
Johan E. Uvin,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the Duties of Assistant Secretary 
for Career, Technical, and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 2016-29899 Filed 12-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P



                                               89920                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Notices

                                               $10,000,000, the reporting requirements                    (a) The number and percentage of                   5970. Telephone: (202) 453–7200 or by
                                               in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII,                        magnet schools receiving assistance                   email: msap.team@ed.gov.
                                               require you to report certain integrity                 whose student enrollment reduces,                        If you use a TDD or TTY, call the FRS,
                                               information to FAPIIS semiannually.                     eliminates, or prevents minority group                at 1–800–877–8339.
                                               Please review the requirements in 2 CFR                 isolation.                                            VIII. Other Information
                                               part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant                      (b) The percentage increase of
                                               plus all the other Federal funds you                    students from major racial and ethnic                    Accessible Format: Individuals with
                                               receive exceed $10,000,000.                             groups in magnet schools receiving                    disabilities can obtain this document
                                                                                                       assistance who score proficient or above              and a copy of the application package in
                                               VI. Award Administration Information                    on State assessments in reading/                      an accessible format (e.g., braille, large
                                                  1. Award Notices: If your application                language arts as compared to previous                 print, audiotape, or compact disc) on
                                               is successful, we notify your U.S.                      year’s data.                                          request to the program contact person
                                               Representative and U.S. Senators and                       (c) The percentage increase of                     listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                               send you a Grant Award Notification                     students from major racial and ethnic                 CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
                                               (GAN); or we may send you an email                      groups in magnet schools receiving                       Electronic Access to This Document:
                                               containing a link to access an electronic               assistance who score proficient or above              The official version of this document is
                                               version of your GAN. We may notify                      on State assessments in mathematics as                the document published in the Federal
                                               you informally, also.                                   compared to previous year’s data.                     Register. Free Internet access to the
                                                  If your application is not evaluated or                 (d) The percentage of magnet schools               official edition of the Federal Register
                                               not selected for funding, we notify you.                that received assistance that are still               and the Code of Federal Regulations is
                                                  2. Administrative and National Policy                operating magnet school programs three                available via the Federal Digital System
                                               Requirements: We identify                               years after Federal funding ends.                     at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
                                               administrative and national policy                         (e) The percentage of magnet schools               can view this document, as well as all
                                               requirements in the application package                 that received assistance that meet the                other documents of this Department
                                               and reference these and other                           State’s annual measurable objectives                  published in the Federal Register, in
                                               requirements in the Applicable                          and, for high schools, graduation rate                text or PDF. To use PDF you must have
                                               Regulations section of this notice.                     targets at least three years after Federal            Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
                                                  We reference the regulations outlining               funding ends.                                         available free at the site.
                                               the terms and conditions of an award in                   Note: Recognizing that States are no longer            You may also access documents of the
                                               the Applicable Regulations section of                   required to report annual measurable                  Department published in the Federal
                                               this notice and include these and other                 objectives to the Department under the ESEA,          Register by using the article search
                                               specific conditions in the GAN. The                     as amended by the ESSA, we include this               feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
                                               GAN also incorporates your approved                     performance measure in order to ensure                Specifically, through the advanced
                                                                                                       MSAP grantees monitor and report high                 search feature at this site, you can limit
                                               application as part of your binding                     school graduation rates. States must establish
                                               commitments under the grant.                                                                                  your search to documents published by
                                                                                                       and measure against ambitious, long-term              the Department.
                                                  3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a                 goals; we encourage MSAP grantees to
                                               grant under this competition, you must                  consider these State goals and incorporate              Dated: December 8, 2016.
                                               ensure that you have in place the                       them into their annual performance reporting          Nadya Chinoy Dabby,
                                               necessary processes and systems to                      as appropriate.                                       Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and
                                               comply with the reporting requirements                     5. Continuation Awards: In making a                Improvement.
                                               in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive                    continuation award under 34 CFR                       [FR Doc. 2016–29907 Filed 12–12–16; 8:45 am]
                                               funding under the competition. This                     75.253, the Secretary considers, among                BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
                                               does not apply if you have an exception                 other things: Whether a grantee has
                                               under 2 CFR 170.110(b).                                 made substantial progress in achieving
                                                  (b) At the end of your project period,               the goals and objectives of the project;              DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
                                               you must submit a final performance                     whether the grantee has expended funds
                                               report, including financial information,                in a manner that is consistent with its               Tests Determined To Be Suitable for
                                               as directed by the Secretary. If you                    approved application and budget; and,                 Use in the National Reporting System
                                               receive a multiyear award, you must                     if the Secretary has established                      for Adult Education
                                               submit an annual performance report                     performance measurement                               AGENCY: Office of Career, Technical, and
                                               that provides the most current                          requirements, the performance targets in              Adult Education, Department of
                                               performance and financial expenditure                   the grantee’s approved application.                   Education.
                                               information as directed by the Secretary                   In making a continuation award, the                ACTION: Notice.
                                               under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary                      Secretary also considers whether the
                                               may also require more frequent                          grantee is operating in compliance with               SUMMARY:     The Secretary announces
                                               performance reports under 34 CFR                        the assurances in its approved                        tests, test forms, and delivery formats
                                               75.720(c). For specific requirements on                 application, including those applicable               that the Secretary determines to be
                                               reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/                     to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit            suitable for use in the National
                                               fund/grant/apply/appforms/                              discrimination in programs or activities              Reporting System for Adult Education
                                               appforms.html.                                          receiving Federal financial assistance                (NRS). The Secretary also clarifies that,
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                                                  (c) The Secretary may provide a                      from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,                    to provide for the transition from the
                                               grantee with additional funding for data                104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).                     performance accountability system for
                                               collection analysis and reporting. In this                                                                    the Adult Education and Family
                                                                                                       VII. Agency Contact
                                               case the Secretary establishes a data                                                                         Literacy Act (AEFLA) program under
                                               collection period.                                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
                                                  4. Performance Measures: We have                     Jennifer Todd, U.S. Department of                     (WIA) to the performance accountability
                                               established the following five                          Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,                   system for AEFLA as reauthorized by
                                               performance measures for the MSAP:                      Room 4W201, Washington, DC 20202–                     the Workforce Innovation and


                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:08 Dec 12, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00029   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM   13DEN1


                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Notices                                            89921

                                               Opportunity Act (WIOA), this                            adaptive or computer-based delivery                      In this document, the Secretary
                                               announcement will remain effective                      formats are suitable for use in the NRS.              announces the list of tests and test forms
                                               until June 30, 2019.                                       On August 6, 2012, we published in                 determined to be suitable for use in the
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay                    the Federal Register (77 FR 46749) an                 NRS. These include: (1) The eight tests
                                               LeMaster, Department of Education, 400                  annual notice of tests determined                     previously approved for a seven-year
                                               Maryland Avenue SW., Room 11–152,                       suitable for use in the NRS (August 2012              period from February 2, 2010 through
                                               Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC                    notice) that included the same list of                February 2, 2017 and now approved for
                                               20202–7240. Telephone: (202) 245–6218                   forms and computer delivery formats for               an extended period through February 2,
                                               or by email: John.LeMaster@ed.gov.                      the tests published in the September                  2019; (2) three tests previously
                                                                                                       2011 notice. We also announced a                      approved for an extended period
                                                  If you use a telecommunications
                                                                                                       sunset period during which States and                 through February 2, 2017 and now
                                               device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
                                                                                                       local providers could continue to use                 approved for an extended period
                                               telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
                                                                                                       tests with three-year NRS approvals                   through February 2, 2019; and (3) one
                                               Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
                                                                                                       otherwise expiring on February 2, 2013,               test—a revised version of a test
                                               8339.
                                                                                                       during a transition period ending on                  previously approved for an extended
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      On                      June 30, 2014.                                        period through February 2, 2017—for
                                               January 14, 2008, we published in the                      On January 25, 2013, we announced                  which the Secretary is extending
                                               Federal Register final regulations for 34               in the Federal Register (78 FR 5430) an               approval through February 2, 2019. The
                                               CFR part 462, Measuring Educational                     extension of the approval period for                  Secretary is taking this action to extend
                                               Gain in the National Reporting System                   tests approved for a three-year period                the approval periods for all 12 of these
                                               for Adult Education (NRS regulations)                   beginning on February 2, 2010. The                    tests through February 2, 2019 in light
                                               (73 FR 2306). The NRS regulations                       approval period was extended from                     of the following intervening factors: (1)
                                               established the process the Secretary                   February 2, 2013 to September 30, 2013,               The Department’s plan to implement
                                               uses to determine the suitability of tests              without affecting the sunset period                   new descriptors for the NRS educational
                                               for use in the NRS by States and local                  ending on June 30, 2014.                              functioning levels and implement new
                                               eligible providers. We annually publish                    On December 12, 2013, we published                 regulations in 34 CFR part 462 that
                                               in the Federal Register and post on the                 in the Federal Register (78 FR 75550) an              became effective on September 19, 2016
                                               Internet at www.nrsweb.org a list of the                annual notice of tests determined                     and that will govern the assessment
                                               names of tests and the educational                      suitable for use in the NRS (December                 review process; (2) the Department’s
                                               functioning levels the tests are suitable               2013 notice) that updated the August                  desire to minimize disruption for its
                                               to measure in the NRS as required by                    2012 notice and provided an extension                 grantees in the transition to AEFLA as
                                               § 462.12(c)(2).                                         of the approval period for three tests                authorized by WIOA, including with
                                                  On April 16, 2008, we published in                   initially approved for a three-year                   respect to measuring educational gain
                                               the Federal Register a notice inviting                  conditional period from February 2,                   under the NRS; and (3) the attendant
                                               test publishers to submit tests for review              2010. The approval period was                         transition authority in section 503(c) of
                                               (73 FR 20616).                                          extended to June 30, 2015. We also                    WIOA, which authorizes the Secretary
                                                  On February 2, 2010, we published in                 announced an extension of the approval                of Education to ‘‘take such actions as the
                                               the Federal Register a notice (February                 period for one additional test—a revised              Secretary determines to be appropriate
                                               2010 notice) listing the tests and test                 version of a test previously approved for             to provide for the orderly transition’’
                                               forms the Secretary determined to be                    a three-year conditional period from                  from AEFLA as authorized by WIA to
                                               suitable for use in the NRS (75 FR 5303).               February 2, 2010. The approval period                 AEFLA as authorized by WIOA.
                                                  The Secretary determined tests and                   for that test also was extended to June               Approved Tests, Forms, and Approval
                                               test forms to be suitable for a period of               30, 2015.                                             Periods
                                               either seven or three years from the date                  On October 29, 2014, we published in                 Adult education programs must use
                                               of the February 2010 notice. A seven-                   the Federal Register (79 FR 64369) an                 only the approved forms and computer-
                                               year approval required no additional                    annual notice of tests determined                     based delivery formats for the tests
                                               action on the part of the publisher,                    suitable for use in the NRS (October                  published in this document. If a
                                               unless the information the publisher                    2014 notice) that updated the December                particular test form or computer
                                               submitted as a basis for the Secretary’s                2013 notice. We announced that the                    delivery format is not explicitly
                                               review was inaccurate or unless the test                four tests with approvals extended                    specified for a test in this notice, it is
                                               is substantially revised. A three-year                  through June 30, 2015, may be used in                 not approved for use in the NRS.
                                               approval was issued with a set of                       the NRS during a sunset period ending
                                               conditions to be met by the completion                  on June 30, 2016.                                     Tests Previously Determined To Be
                                               of the three-year period. If these                         On August 12, 2015, we published in                Suitable for Use in the NRS for a Seven-
                                               conditions were met, the Secretary                      the Federal Register (80 FR 48304) an                 Year Period From February 2, 2010
                                               would approve a period of time for                      annual notice of tests determined                     Through February 2, 2017 and Now
                                               which the test may continue to be used                  suitable for use in the NRS (August 2015              Approved for an Extended Period
                                               in the NRS.                                             notice) that updated the October 2014                 Through February 2, 2019
                                                  On September 12, 2011, we published                  notice. We announced that three tests,                   (a) The Secretary has determined that
                                               in the Federal Register (76 FR 56188) an                previously approved for an extended                   the following test is suitable for use at
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                                               annual notice of tests determined                       period through June 30, 2015, were                    all Adult Basic Education (ABE) and
                                               suitable for use in the NRS (September                  approved for an extended period                       Adult Secondary Education (ASE) levels
                                               2011 notice). The September 2011                        through February 2, 2017, and one                     and at all English-as-a-Second-Language
                                               notice updated the list published in the                test—a revised version of a test                      (ESL) levels of the NRS until February
                                               February 2010 notice and included                       previously approved for an extended                   2, 2019:
                                               suitable test delivery formats. The                     period through June 30, 2015—was                         Comprehensive Adult Student
                                               September 2011 notice clarified that                    approved for an extended period                       Assessment Systems (CASAS) Reading
                                               some, but not all, tests using computer-                through February 2, 2017.                             Assessments (Life and Work, Life Skills,


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                                               89922                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Notices

                                               Reading for Citizenship, Reading for                    Telephone: (800) 538–9547. Internet:                  based delivery format. Publisher:
                                               Language Arts—Secondary Level).                         www.ctb.com/.                                         CASAS, 5151 Murphy Canyon Road,
                                               Forms 27, 28, 81, 82, 81X, 82X, 83, 84,                    (c) The Secretary has determined that              Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92123–4339.
                                               85, 86, 185, 186, 187, 188, 310, 311, 513,              the following tests are suitable for use              Telephone: (800) 255–1036. Internet:
                                               514, 951, 952, 951X, and 952X of this                   at all ESL levels of the NRS until                    www.casas.org/.
                                               test are approved for use on paper and                  February 2, 2019:
                                               through the computer-based delivery                        (1) Basic English Skills Test (BEST)               Revocation of Tests
                                               format. Publisher: CASAS, 5151                          Literacy. Forms B, C, and D are
                                                                                                       approved for use on paper. Publisher:                    Under certain circumstances, the
                                               Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 220, San
                                                                                                       Center for Applied Linguistics, 4646                  Secretary may revoke the determination
                                               Diego, CA 92123–4339. Telephone:
                                                                                                       40th Street NW., Washington, DC                       that a test is suitable (see 34 CFR
                                               (800) 255–1036. Internet:
                                               www.casas.org/.                                         20016–1859. Telephone: (202) 362–                     462.12(e)). If the Secretary revokes the
                                                  (b) The Secretary has determined that                0700. Internet: www.cal.org/.                         determination of suitability, the
                                               the following tests are suitable for use                   (2) Tests of Adult Basic Education                 Secretary announces through the
                                               at all ABE and ASE levels of the NRS                    Complete Language Assessment                          Federal Register and posts on the
                                               until February 2, 2019:                                 System—English (TABE/CLAS–E).                         Internet at www.nrsweb.org a notice of
                                                  (1) Comprehensive Adult Student                      Forms A and B are approved for use on                 that revocation, along with the date by
                                               Assessment Systems (CASAS) Life Skills                  paper. Publisher: Data Recognition                    which States and local eligible
                                               Math Assessments—Application of                         Corporation—CTB, 13490 Bass Lake                      providers must stop using the revoked
                                               Mathematics (Secondary Level). Forms                    Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311.                          test.
                                               31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 505, and                Telephone: (800) 538–9547. Internet:
                                                                                                                                                                Accessible Format: Individuals with
                                               506 of this test are approved for use on                www.ctb.com/.
                                                                                                                                                             disabilities can obtain this document in
                                               paper and through the computer-based                    Tests Previously Approved for an                      an accessible format (such as braille,
                                               delivery format. Publisher: CASAS,                      Extended Period Through February 2,                   large print, audiotape, or compact disc)
                                               5151 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 220,                     2017 and Now Approved for an                          on request to the contact person listed
                                               San Diego, CA 92123–4339. Telephone:                    Extended Period Through February 2,                   under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                               (800) 255–1036. Internet:                               2019                                                  CONTACT in this notice.
                                               www.casas.org/.
                                                                                                          (a) The Secretary has determined that                 Electronic Access to This Document:
                                                  (2) Massachusetts Adult Proficiency
                                                                                                       the following tests are suitable for use              The official version of this document is
                                               Test (MAPT) for Math. This test is
                                                                                                       at all ABE and ASE levels of the NRS                  the document published in the Federal
                                               approved for use through a computer-
                                                                                                       until February 2, 2019:                               Register. Free Internet access to the
                                               adaptive delivery format. Publisher:                       (1) General Assessment of
                                               Massachusetts Department of                                                                                   official edition of the Federal Register
                                                                                                       Instructional Needs (GAIN)—Test of
                                               Elementary and Secondary Education                                                                            and the Code of Federal Regulations is
                                                                                                       English Skills. Forms A and B are
                                               and University of Massachusetts                                                                               available via the Federal Digital System
                                                                                                       approved for use on paper and through
                                               Amherst, College of Education, 156                      the computer-based delivery format.                   at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
                                               Hills South, University of Massachusetts                Publisher: Wonderlic Inc., 400 Lakeview               can view this document, as well as all
                                               Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003.                             Parkway, Suite 200, Vernon Hills, IL                  other documents of this Department
                                               Telephone: (413) 545–0564. Internet:                    60061. Telephone: (877) 605–9496.                     published in the Federal Register, in
                                               www.sabes.org/.                                         Internet: www.wonderlic.com/.                         text or Adobe Portable Document
                                                  (3) Massachusetts Adult Proficiency                     (2) General Assessment of                          Format (PDF). To use PDF you must
                                               Test (MAPT) for Reading. This test is                   Instructional Needs (GAIN)—Test of                    have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
                                               approved for use through the computer-                  Math Skills. Forms A and B are                        available free at the site.
                                               adaptive delivery format. Publisher:                    approved for use on paper and through                    You may also access documents of the
                                               Massachusetts Department of                             the computer-based delivery format.
                                               Elementary and Secondary Education                                                                            Department published in the Federal
                                                                                                       Publisher: Wonderlic Inc., 400 Lakeview               Register by using the article search
                                               and University of Massachusetts                         Parkway, Suite 200, Vernon Hills, IL
                                               Amherst, College of Education, 156                                                                            feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
                                                                                                       60061. Telephone: (877) 605–9496.                     Specifically, through the advanced
                                               Hills South, University of Massachusetts                Internet: www.wonderlic.com/.
                                               Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003.                                                                                   search feature at this site, you can limit
                                                                                                          (b) The Secretary has determined that
                                               Telephone: (413) 545–0564. Internet:                    the following tests are suitable for use              your search to documents published by
                                               www.sabes.org/.                                         at all ESL levels of the NRS until                    the Department.
                                                  (4) Tests of Adult Basic Education                   February 2, 2019:                                        Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9212.
                                               (TABE 9/10). Forms 9 and 10 are                            (1) Basic English Skills Test (BEST)                 Dated: December 7, 2016.
                                               approved for use on paper and through                   Plus 2.0. Forms D, E, and F are approved
                                               the computer-based delivery format.                                                                           Johan E. Uvin,
                                                                                                       for use on paper and through the
                                               Publisher: Data Recognition                             computer-adaptive delivery format.                    Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the
                                               Corporation—CTB, 13490 Bass Lake                        Publisher: Center for Applied                         Duties of Assistant Secretary for Career,
                                               Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311.                            Linguistics, 4646 40th Street NW.,                    Technical, and Adult Education.
                                               Telephone: 800–538–9547. Internet:                      Washington, DC 20016–1859.                            [FR Doc. 2016–29899 Filed 12–12–16; 8:45 am]
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES




                                               www.ctb.com/.                                           Telephone: (202) 362–0700. Internet:                  BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
                                                  (5) Tests of Adult Basic Education                   www.cal.org/.
                                               Survey (TABE Survey). Forms 9 and 10                       (2) Comprehensive Adult Student
                                               are approved for use on paper and                       Assessment Systems (CASAS) Life and
                                               through the computer-based delivery                     Work Listening Assessments (LW
                                               format. Publisher: Data Recognition                     Listening). Forms 981L, 982L, 983L,
                                               Corporation—CTB, 13490 Bass Lake                        984L, 985L, and 986L are approved for
                                               Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311.                            use on paper and through the computer-


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Document Created: 2016-12-13 02:44:46
Document Modified: 2016-12-13 02:44:46
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
ContactJay LeMaster, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 11-152, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-7240. Telephone: (202) 245-6218 or by email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 89920 

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