Tests Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education, 48304-48306 [2015-19847]

Download as PDF 48304 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 155 / Wednesday, August 12, 2015 / Notices secondary education and applying the growth rate to the FAFSA submissions. The ABM is also based on the application options available to students and parents. The Department accounts for each application component based on web trending tools, survey information, and other Department data sources. For 2016–2017, the Department is reporting a net burden decrease of ¥3,522,674 hours. This decrease is considered to be an adjustment in burden hours from the 2015–2016 FAFSA. Dated: August 7, 2015. Stephanie Valentine, Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy Officer, Office of Management. [FR Doc. 2015–19774 Filed 8–11–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tests Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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, 2017. 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: John.LeMaster@ed.gov. 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. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: 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 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:16 Aug 11, 2015 Jkt 235001 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 § 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 sevenyear 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 computeradaptive 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 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. 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; (2) three tests previously approved for an extended period through June 30, 2015 and now approved for an extended period through February 2, 2017; and (3) one test—a revised version of a test previously approved for an extended period through June 30, 2015—for which the Secretary is providing approval through February 2, 2017. With respect to the latter four tests, although we have identified several issues that the test publishers still need to address related to the requirements in § 462.13, we are taking this action in light of the following intervening factors. These factors include (1) the Department’s plan to implement new descriptors for the NRS educational functioning levels and to issue new regulations 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 E:\FR\FM\12AUN1.SGM 12AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 155 / Wednesday, August 12, 2015 / Notices Secretary determines to be appropriate to provide for the orderly transition’’ from AEFLA as authorized by WIA to AEFLA as authorized by WIOA. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Approved Tests, Forms, and Approval Periods Adult education programs must use only the approved forms and computerbased 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 Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the NRS for Seven Years (February 2, 2010–February 2, 2017) (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 for a period of seven years beginning on February 2, 2010: Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) Reading Assessments (Life and Work, Life Skills, 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 for a period of seven years beginning on February 2, 2010: (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 computeradaptive 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:16 Aug 11, 2015 Jkt 235001 Telephone: (413) 545–0564. Internet: www.sabes.org/. (3) Massachusetts Adult Proficiency Test (MAPT) for Reading. This test is approved for use through the computeradaptive 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 for a period of seven years beginning on February 2, 2010: (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 SystemEnglish (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 Newly Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the NRS Until February 2, 2017 (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, 2017: (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 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 48305 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, 2017: (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 computerbased delivery format. Publisher: CASAS, 5151 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92123–4339. Telephone: (800) 255–1036. Internet: www.casas.org/. Tests That May Be Used in the NRS During a Sunset Period Ending on June 30, 2016 The Secretary has determined that the following test may be used at all ESL levels of the NRS during the sunset period ending on June 30, 2016: Basic English Skills Test (BEST) Plus. Forms A, B, and C are approved for use on paper and through the computeradaptive delivery format. Publisher: Center for Applied Linguistics, 4646 40th Street NW., Washington, DC 20016–1859. Telephone: (202) 362– 0700. Internet: www.cal.org/. Expiring Tests The sunset period for an expiring test allows a State and local provider to transition to other tests suitable for use in the NRS. The State and local provider may use the transition period to select new tests, purchase appropriate inventories of assessment materials, and provide training to staff. 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 E:\FR\FM\12AUN1.SGM 12AUN1 48306 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 155 / Wednesday, August 12, 2015 / Notices 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.gpo.gov/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. Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated authority to Mark Mitsui, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges for Career, Technical, and Adult Education to perform the functions and duties of the Acting Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education. Dated: August 6, 2015. Mark Mitsui, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges for Career, Technical, and Adult Education delegated the authority to perform the functions and duties of the Acting Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education. [FR Doc. 2015–19847 Filed 8–11–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board Chairs; Open Meeting Department of Energy. Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:16 Aug 11, 2015 Jkt 235001 Board (EM SSAB) Chairs. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: Wednesday, September 2, 2015 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Thursday, September 3, 2015 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: La Fonda on the Plaza, 100 East San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Borak, Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585; Phone: (202) 586–9928. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE–EM and site management in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities. Tentative Agenda Topics: Wednesday, September 2, 2015 Æ EM Program Update Æ Presentations: • Office of Acquisition and Project Management • Office of Site Restoration Æ EM SSAB Chairs’ Roundtable Discussions Æ Public Comment Period Thursday, September 3, 2015 Æ Presentations: • Office of Waste Disposition • Office of External Affairs Æ EM SSAB Chairs’ Roundtable Discussions Æ Public Comment Period Public Participation: The EM SSAB Chairs welcome the attendance of the public at their advisory committee meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Catherine Alexander at least seven days in advance of the meeting at the phone number listed above. Written statements may be filed either before or after the meeting with the Designated Federal Officer, David Borak, at the address or telephone listed above. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should also contact David Borak. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comment will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Minutes: Minutes will be available by writing or calling David Borak at the address or phone number listed above. Minutes will also be available at the following Web site: https://energy.gov/ em/services/communicationengagement/em-site-specific-advisoryboard-em-ssab/chairs-meetings. Issued at Washington, DC on August 7, 2015. LaTanya R. Butler, Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–19809 Filed 8–11–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0423; FRL–9929–66] Nominations to the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel; Request for Comments Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice provides the names, addresses, professional affiliations, and selected biographical data of persons recently nominated to serve on the Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) established under section 25(d) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Panel was created on November 28, 1975, and made a statutory Panel by amendment to FIFRA, dated October 25, 1988. The Agency, at this time, anticipates selecting two new members to serve on the panel as a result of membership terms that will expire in 2015. Public comments on the current nominations are invited, as these comments will be used to assist the Agency in selecting the new chartered Panel members. DATES: Comments, identified by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0423, must be received on or before August 27, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0423, by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\12AUN1.SGM 12AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 155 (Wednesday, August 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48304-48306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19847]


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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 Opportunity Act (WIOA), this announcement will 
remain effective until June 30, 2017.

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: 
John.LeMaster@ed.gov.
    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.
    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; (2) three tests previously 
approved for an extended period through June 30, 2015 and now approved 
for an extended period through February 2, 2017; and (3) one test--a 
revised version of a test previously approved for an extended period 
through June 30, 2015--for which the Secretary is providing approval 
through February 2, 2017. With respect to the latter four tests, 
although we have identified several issues that the test publishers 
still need to address related to the requirements in Sec.  462.13, we 
are taking this action in light of the following intervening factors. 
These factors include (1) the Department's plan to implement new 
descriptors for the NRS educational functioning levels and to issue new 
regulations 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

[[Page 48305]]

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 Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the NRS for Seven Years 
(February 2, 2010-February 2, 2017)

    (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 for a period of seven years beginning on February 2, 
2010:
    Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) Reading 
Assessments (Life and Work, Life Skills, 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 for a period of 
seven years beginning on February 2, 2010:
    (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 for a period of seven 
years beginning on February 2, 2010:
    (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 Newly Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the NRS Until February 
2, 2017

    (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, 
2017:
    (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, 2017:
    (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/.

Tests That May Be Used in the NRS During a Sunset Period Ending on June 
30, 2016

    The Secretary has determined that the following test may be used at 
all ESL levels of the NRS during the sunset period ending on June 30, 
2016:
    Basic English Skills Test (BEST) Plus. Forms A, B, and C 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/.

Expiring Tests

    The sunset period for an expiring test allows a State and local 
provider to transition to other tests suitable for use in the NRS. The 
State and local provider may use the transition period to select new 
tests, purchase appropriate inventories of assessment materials, and 
provide training to staff.

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

[[Page 48306]]

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.gpo.gov/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.

    Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has 
delegated authority to Mark Mitsui, Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Community Colleges for Career, Technical, and Adult Education to 
perform the functions and duties of the Acting Assistant Secretary 
for Career, Technical, and Adult Education.

    Dated: August 6, 2015.
Mark Mitsui,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges for Career, 
Technical, and Adult Education delegated the authority to perform the 
functions and duties of the Acting Assistant Secretary for Career, 
Technical, and Adult Education.
[FR Doc. 2015-19847 Filed 8-11-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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