Section Six

Reporting on Progress, Drawing Conclusions

In examining assessment tools in the Appendices, together with the feedback sheet used with WRAP kits, learner unit assignments and portfolios from ABE classes, it can be seen that a variety of alternative assessment strategies are available to practitioners over the course of a program, including:

• Interviews
• Ratings based on observations
• Surveys
• Learner work samples
• Program records (such as enrolment figures, attendance)

Recording routines need to be introduced in order to summarize information in a manageable fashion. Some common sense rules are excellent guides for establishing recording routines.

After learners enroll, you will be able to obtain some initial background and baseline information; take time to summarize this information for the entire learner group. For family literacy programs, entry information about transportation and health needs, as well as past and current school experiences of parents and children provide a valuable baseline by which to later judge how well the program was able to accommodate learners in view of these needs. Summarizing this information helps to provide a profile of families at the time of enrolment.

Figure 4 is a sample summary recording sheet containing background data which have been considered useful for later reporting. Figure 4 shows that it helps to develop shorthand ways to code the different responses that families give. In this way, trends in family needs or experiences can be noted at a glance so that decisions about program changes can be made early, depending on the makeup of the group. Use Figure 4 as a general example and customize it to your own needs.