The BEST Plus 2.0 two-part (seven hours total) online training is the first of three steps to become certified to administer the BEST Plus 2.0 test.
The other two steps, which must be completed within 3 weeks of the training, are to:
- Complete 10 practice test administrations
- Pass a Scoring Activity using a link provided at the end of the training
Please note: Participants are asked to arrive 5-10 minutes early in case of technology issues, but at a minimum must arrive on time for both sessions and must attend both sessions in their entirety. In addition, participants are expected to complete 1-2 hours of self-study between Day 1 and Day 2 of the training.
There is an online prerequisite for this training. See below for more information.
- ACLS-funded practitioners who need to be trained as BEST Plus 2.0 test administrators
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
The BEST Plus 2.0 training is the first step in the process to become certified to administer the BEST Plus 2.0 test under physically distant and remote administration conditions. Within three weeks after the training, the following two steps must be completed:
- Trainees must practice administering the test with a minimum of five non-native speakers plus five other individuals that may include non-native speakers. These practice tests may not be administered as pre- or post-assessments. To access these tests, trainees must use the BEST Plus 2.0 software provided by their program site.
- Trainees must also complete a scoring activity using software provided by their program site.
You are encouraged to speak with your program director or ESOL coordinator prior to registering.
- Recognize the importance of assessing students' language abilities
- Administer and score the Best Plus 2.0 computer-adaptive oral interview
- Run the Best Plus 2.0 Test Administration Program
- Interpret Best Plus 2.0 scores
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
- English fluency level of SPL 9 or above
- Experience and comfort interacting with non-native English speakers
- Basic comfort level with computers
- Completion of an Assessment Basics webinar
Practitioners must complete the online Assessment Basics webinar prior to attending the BEST Plus 2.0 training. This online webinar-based training takes 30-40 minutes and consists of two videos followed by questions. The first video describes what assessment is, how assessment fits into curriculum and instruction, and how to interpret different types of test scores. The second video explains what assessments are required in Massachusetts for NRS reporting purposes and provides an overview of the ACLS assessment policies.
For Day 2 of the training, practitioners must have access to a PC computer running Windows XP or later and have installed the BEST Plus 2.0 software on that computer. This is the software that is required to administer the BEST Plus 2.0 test and it can only be run on a PC, not a Mac. Practitioners who do not have access to a PC should consult with their program director before signing up for this training.
When registering, participants must also provide a mailing address (home or workplace) where they will be able to receive materials from UMass prior to the training.
UMass is also managing registration for this training to ensure that as many programs as possible have access to this training. This training is capped at 20 participants, and only 2 people per program will be permitted in this training. If more than 2 participants from a single program sign up, the 3rd participant (and any subsequent individual who signs up from that program) will be placed on a waitlist and contacted for interest and availability for a training at a later date.
ONLINE
MA
United States
