Breakdown of New CASAS STEPS Focus

Pearson Languages
Two teachers sat in a library together talking
Reading time: 3 minutes

Welcome to week 4 of our CASAS STEPS decoding series. We have discussed some of the reasons for the test change, reviewed important ESOL acronyms, answered teachers’ FAQs, and this week we are discussing the focus of the new CASAS STEPS, which replaced the CASAS Life and Work Series in July 2024. The new assessment correlates with ELP Standards and CASAS competencies and tests students’ higher thinking order (DOK levels). Let’s explore what that means and how to prepare our students for this new challenge.

English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)

The ELPS describe the language skills Adult ELL (English Language Learners) need to achieve the higher academic standards required for college and career readiness. The ten anchor standards cover reading, listening, speaking, writing, and language. However, the CASAS STEPS tests only assess ELPS competencies that relate to listening and reading.

CASAS STEPS Competencies

The CASAS Competencies identify more than 360 essential life skills for adult learners; the competencies are relevant from beginning literacy through postsecondary education and training. The new CASAS STEPS covers the following content areas: Basic Communication, consumer economics, community resources, health, employment, and Government and Law.

Depth of Knowledge (DOK)

Webb’s Depth of Knowledge was introduced in 1997 by Norman Webb from the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. DOK explains and categorizes academic tasks according to the complexity of thinking required to successfully complete them, ranging from basic recall (level 1) to basic application of skills/concepts (level 2), strategic thinking (level 3), and extended thinking (level 4). (See printable chart).

Aligned with federal academic standards, the new CASAS STEPS is a valuable tool to assess students in areas that are essential for life in the United States. Pearson’s Future Series is completely ready and aligned with those critical instructional standards (ELPS and CASAS Competencies) in every lesson. Future Series also specifies cognitive skills in every lesson to ensure that students are engaging in different levels of thinking throughout the instruction (DOK).

Click here to download a printable version of the DOK chart, to browse our textbook selection, including our CASAS STEPS aligned FUTURE Series. If your program is not yet using the series, or if you’d like tutorials and tips as a current user, click here. Follow along on social media and share this post with your fellow teachers and administrators.

References

https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/elp-standards-adult-ed.pdf

https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/CCRStandardsAdultEd.pdf

Depth of Knowledge, Webb, N. 1997, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006.

CASAS Competencies PDF, CASAS Competencies

CASAS Basic Skill Content Standards

Unlock your students' potential for success on CASAS® STEPS with FUTURE

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