Please use the menu above to find out more about each online training and download training resources. Note that all resources are also available as embedded links in the online trainings.
This blog was created to serve as a “one-stop shop” for all materials related to the online assessment trainings prepared by the University of Massachusetts Center for Educational Assessment (CEA) for Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS).
If you have any questions, please email the CEA at aclstesthelp@educ.umass.edu.
| Register for CAL’s BEST Plus 3.0 Transition Training Here! (for currently certified BEST Plus 2.0 Test administrators only) |
| Submit Proof of your BEST Plus 3.0 Certification Here! (must be submitted by April 14, 2025) |
News and Updates:
BEST Plus 3.0 Transition Memo from ACLS (10.28.2024)
On 10/28/2024 ACLS sent an updated memo to the field with the latest information regarding the transition from BEST Plus 2.0 to 3.0. The memo includes steps for transitioning current certifications, helpful links, and additional resources. Please visit the link below to read the memo, and see the previous update on this page (BEST Plus 3.0 Transition Webinar – Slides and Recording Now Available! (10.21.2024)) for additional information.
View the 10/28/2024 memo from ACLS here.
BEST Plus 3.0 Transition Webinar – Slides and Recording Now Available! (10.21.2024)
UMass CEA and ACLS hosted an informational webinar on October 21, 2024 to share recent updates on the transition to BEST Plus 3.0 and to take questions from the field. See below for slides, recordings, and an updated FAQ document from that webinar:
- Presentation slides (PDF)
- Video recording of webinar
- Audio recording of webinar (audio only)
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Visual of the 5 Steps of the Certification Process (PDF)
BEST Plus 2.0 Transition Update from ACLS (9.24.2024)
As announced by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), the transition training and materials for the BEST Plus 3.0 test will be made available by CAL on October 14, 2024 (release date was updated by CAL after the release of this memo). When the link to the transition training is made public by CAL, the Center for Educational Assessment at UMass Amherst (UMass CEA) will share it on the ACLS Test Help Blog as well as via communications to programs and current BEST Plus 2.0 administrators.
Key Details:
- All current BEST Plus 2.0 trainers must complete CAL’s self-accessed, self-paced, online training course for BEST Plus 3.0 and notify the CEA of completion via submission of CAL’s confirmation email. A link to the CEA’s online submission form will be shared along with the official announcement of the transition training.
- CAL’s training course will be available from October 14, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
- NOTE: Any current BEST Plus 2.0 test administrators who do not complete this course through CAL will not be able to administer BEST Plus 3.0 in FY26 until they have completed the full BEST Plus 3.0 training provided by UMass CEA in summer or fall 2025.
- UMass CEA will purchase and send one Test Administrator Guide (TAG) for BEST Plus 3.0 to each program. We expect to have these purchased and mailed by November 1, 2024. Programs are responsible for purchasing additional TAGs to provide one for each BEST Plus 3.0 Test Administrator in their program.
Resources to support you in this transition:
- Timeline to help you keep track of what is available and when, and what actions you need to take.
- NRS Test Transition At-a-Glance Chart
Older Updates:
Assessment Transition Memo from ACLS (7.26.2024)
On 7/26/2024 ACLS sent an updated memo to the field with the latest information regarding timelines and considerations for the transition of several NRS assessments.
- View the full memo, including a visual assessment transition chart
- View the visual assessment transition chart separately
BEST Plus 2.0 to 3.0 Transition information (updated 5/9/2024)
On 5/9/2024 the Center for Educational Assessment at UMass and ACLS held an informational webinar to provide an update on the BEST Plus 2.0 to 3.0 transition.
- Slides from the webinar (posted 5/9/2024)
- 5/9/2024 webinar Full Recording / Audio and Video, posted 5/9/2024)
- 5/9/2024 webinar Audio Only (posted 5/9/2024)
- 2.0 to 3.0 Transition Questions Received – updated with answers as information is received from CAL (posted 12/6/23, updated 3/6/24, NEW Update 5/9/2024)
On 4/9/2024 ACLS sent a memo to the field with the latest timeline for transition and update from CAL. Please Note: The transition to BEST Plus 3.0 is being deferred until July 1, 2025, due to CAL’s new timeline and OCTAE’s extending of the approval for BEST Plus 2.0 through FY25.
On 12/6/23 staff from UMass CEA and ACLS offered a webinar to the field to provide information about the upcoming transition from BEST Plus 2.0 to 3.0 Materials from the webinar are posted below. If you have questions about the transition, please contact aclstesthelp@educ.umass.edu. We’ll post more information here as it is received.
- NEW 12/14/23: CAL’s Response to Questions from the Webinar (PDF)
- Informational Webinar Video and Audio
- Informational Webinar Audio only
- Informational Webinar Slides only
- CAL Quick Links:
This website provides information relating to adult education assessment in Massachusetts and beyond, and is the collaborative product of Public Adult Education in Massachusetts and the Center for Educational Assessment at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.