wia goto meeting tuesday, march 6 th – 2012 tabe 101 – a basic review

WIA GOTO MEETINGTUESDAY, MARCH 6TH – 2012

TABE 101 – A Basic Review


WIA Policy Manual Section 3.40 ~Assessment & Planning 3.40 A. ~ Initial Assessment

All participants must have an initial assessment completed to evaluate basic skills, experience, and the appropriateness for service and ability to benefit from the Workforce Investment Act.

Foundation to begin development of the ISS (Individual Service Strategy) or IEP (Individual Employment Plan)


WIA Policy Section 3.40 B. 1.~ Basic Skills Assessment Guidelines All participants must be tested to determine deficiencies in

reading and/or math – unless they qualify for an exception

The TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education) is the basic skills assessment test required for Montana’s WIA participants

TABE is required for all Out-of-School Youth participants No exceptions

TABE is required for Adult/Dislocated Worker/Other Youth participants Some exceptions


What are the exceptions to TABE assessment for Adults/Dislocated Workers and Other Youth? A TABE is not required if the participant can

document one of the acceptable alternatives listed in Section 3.40 B. 3. (Waiver from Program Manager is not needed)

A TABE is not required if the participant qualifies for a waiver of the TABE due to a special circumstance. (Waiver from Program Manager is needed)

(new slide added March 12, 2012)


What are acceptable alternatives to the TABE? GED within last year Associates or Bachelor’s degree Post-secondary grades sufficient to demonstrate

basic skills proficiency COMPASS Test within last year and using latest

version

What documentation is required? A copy of the documentation must be placed in

the participant’s file and documented in case notes


TABE is not required as part of eligibility determination or enrollment in WIA

When is the TABE required to be administered? Adult/Dislocated Worker – within a reasonable

time following enrollment based upon the participant’s plan

Youth – Must adhere to Pre-testing/Post-testing timelines (3.40 B.2.)


TABE administration documentation Copy of the TABE score sheet must be placed in

the participant’s file

Scores must be input in MontanaWorks ~ Testing tab

Deficiencies and steps to address deficiencies noted in ISS/IEP or Employment Plan – and case noted

Note: if your organization administers the TABE – be sure that the score sheet includes examiner’s name and test date


Youth Pre-Testing and Post-Testing TABE Locater may be used to determine TABE

test levelMay not be used as the pre-test

Pre-test must be administered within 10 working days of enrollment into the WIA Youth program. (A waiver may be requested to extend the pre-test

date under extenuating circumstances)

May use TABE administered by another entity if within 6 months prior to date of first Youth service


Youth Pre-Testing and Post-Testing

Post-test required for all Youth who pre-tested at or below 8.9 grade level. NOTE: Not required if Youth pre-tested above

8.9

Post-testing is done following remediation or tutoring and can be done several times during enrollment at appropriate intervals (e.g. 6 months)


WIA Policy Section 3.40 B. 3. ~ TABE Waivers Waivers from TABE assessment may be granted

by the WIA program managers under special circumstances and when acceptable documentation has been provided.

Youth ~ Waivers will not be granted for any out-of-school youth as defined in Section 5.80

Adult/Dislocated Worker ~ As noted in the earlier slide, waivers may be granted if a special circumstance exists and can be documented.

(this slide revised March 12, 2012)


TABE Waiver approvals for “special circumstances” ~ Only allowed for Adult/Dislocated Worker participants

When the participant’s needs for WIA services/assistance are for immediate employment situations, such as: Purchase of work-related tools/uniforms/clothing Verified out-of-area relocation to employment License renewals or reinstatements

Process: Send request for waiver approval to a WIA Program Manager via e-mail with participant’s name, program and description of special circumstances. Place a copy of the reply in the participant’s file to document the waiver approval


My participant just wants to look for a job and is not interested in going to training. Do I have to make him take the TABE? Yes ~ all Adult and Dislocated Worker participants must

take the TABE (within a reasonable time after enrollment) unless they can document an acceptable alternative or meet a special circumstance waiver granted by a Program Manager.

However, you should not delay providing job search assistance, including verified out-of-area interviews, waiting for a TABE to be taken.

If your participant is unable to find suitable employment within a reasonable time, then training may become part of the plan and a TABE will be needed for assessment. Without a TABE early on, the start of training may have to be delayed.


I’m just going to TABE everyone!

Don’t waste you or your participant’s time requiring them to take a TABE if they can provide documentation of an acceptable alternative.

If they have a “special circumstance” related to employment, request a waiver of the TABE requirement from a WIA Program Manager. It’s quick and easy!

wia goto meeting tuesday, march 6 th – 2012 tabe 101 – a basic review

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