NEDP Online System: New Developments, Features and Capabilities

1. NEDP Online System: New Developments, Features and Capabilities National External Diploma Program Council Conference October 2012 Providence, RI

2. Session Agenda • NEDP Status and Developments • Soft launch rollouts • System features • Assessment development • Online Demonstration • Client interface • Assessor interface • Reporting function

3. Soft Launch Approach • The release of a product or service to a limited audience • A method for gathering data on a product or service before making it generally available to a broader audience • An approach that allows CASAS to release new NEDP system incrementally, initially to a limited number of sites, one competency area at a time • Clients complete new items in lieu of the old items from the same or similar competency area • Successfully demonstrated assessment items are valid for program completion

4. Soft Launch Status • Currently underway • Health Literacy • Civic Literacy and Community Participation • Consumer Awareness and Financial Literacy • Twenty-First Century Workplace • Starting Fall 2012 • Geography and History • Science • Cultural Literacy • Foundation Competency Areas, integrated throughout • Communication (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) • Applied Math/Numeracy • Information and Communication Technology

5. Full Launch Plan • Full Launch will be divided into two phases • January 2013 implementation or • July 2013 implementation • Current NEDP sites can choose the phase they prefer • Launch selection forms have been sent to agencies • Sites choosing July 2013 full launch will continue with “partial launch” phase through June 30th • Partial launch includes current soft launch area and remaining print-based Tasks • New NEDP sites will be trained in new online system

6. Web-based System Features • Multiple functionalities • Client and assessor interfaces • Feedback reports • Tracking of client progress through program • Assessment “sessions” retain responses and feedback from initial attempt through PTA and PR • Evaluation “pop-up” boxes will enhance efficiency • D/ND criteria with additional guidelines • Checkboxes facilitate precise feedback • Notes boxes for additional feedback and staff (sticky notes) • Automated feedback reports • Demonstrated, Not Demonstrated, Consolidated, your ideas

7. Assessment Development • Each NEDP assessment item must be analyzed for reliability and validity • Ongoing process begins with soft launch • Soft launch “n” of 100 per item • Full validation “n” of 300 per item • Items require tight relationship of item prompt, resources, and evaluation criteria • Revisions are based on data and feedback • Candidate demographics and Diagnostic results • Item responses, assessor evaluation, number of attempts • Time to complete (many items start big and are pared down)

8. The Importance of Feedback! • CASAS reviews all feedback from clients and assessors • Online feedback tabs and written reflection • Assessor email • Feedback topics • Evaluation criteria, guidelines • Resources (former Appendix) • Item clarity • Please be specific! • Web-based system facilitates timely revisions

9. NEDP Contact Information • Jim Harrison, Director, National External Diploma Programjharrison@casas.org / ext. 191 • Melissa Dayton, NEDP Coordinatormdayton@casas.org / ext. 181 • Christine O’Hara, NEDP Operationscohara@casas.org / ext. 135 • Celanire Flagg, NEDP Operationscflagg@casas.org / ext. 108 1-800-255-1036 9

10. Online Demo NEDP Online Assessment Walk-through Guide, download at www.nedp.org/Professionals/SoftLaunch