8. Measure Essential Skills at the individual level. A valid and reliable measure of individual Essential Skills needs to be selected and used for the study. The PDQ and TOWES tests have been field-tested and provide information that is directly comparable to the IALS/Essential Skills levels. Because both are available and have been used in the field test, they are probably the ones that should be used in the validation study.
9. Plan the collecting and managing of the data. Although this may seem like a
   straightforward part of the project, it can become unmanageable quickly. Think
   carefully about who will extract and input the data and who has access to it. This is
   important from an ethical perspective.
10. Consider how the data will be analyzed and reported. Be up front about how the
    data will be used and who will see the data. Institutions are much more likely to be
    willing partners if they know they have access to the results and have a say in how it
    will be used.

CONCLUSION

While much work remains, the validation draft framework represents a positive beginning to an ambitious and challenging initiative. In developing the validation draft framework, the Project Team has developed a clearer sense of the next-steps requirements for learners, a better sense of the kinds of activities and tasks that will help learners achieve their goals and a better understanding of Essential Skills and their suitability for each transition path. When completed, the LSA Framework will help learners gain the combination of skills and knowledge they need to move along their goal paths more efficiently, change paths with minimal disruption and ultimately make a successful transition to their next-step destinations.

Accomplishments to date include

• identification of five transition paths which need to be validated with the field
• primary research conducted for each path identifying skills and tasks required by learners for successful transition to their next steps
• an innovative assessment approach which links specific tasks to successful learner transition
• samples of “key transition tasks” for all five paths
• identification and exploration of valid, reliable instruments based on IALS/Essential Skills 500-point scale
• a long-term plan for the development of a valid assessment framework organized by learners’ transition paths, incorporating Essential Skills and using valid, reliable tests