ABE Case Studies
Bill: Age 22, Completed Grade 10, Unemployed but wants to get a GED before applying for a job· TABE Grade Level Results:
– Reading = 9.6
– Language = 9.1
– Math = 7.5
· Personal Goals
– Learn to use the computer better
– Study online for the GED
– Get a job
· Career Interest
– Wants to be an EMT / · Learning Style:
– Visual
– Tactile
· Barriers:
– Unreliable transportation
– Trouble keeping a job
– No home computer (Can use friend’s computer with Internet connection)
· Special Learning Needs:
– Easily distracted
– Thinks he has ADHD
– Never been diagnosed
Samantha: Age 32, Completed Grade 11, Unemployed, not in labor force
· CASAS Scale Score Results:
– Reading = 242
– Math = 219
· Personal Goals:
– Pass the GED
– Help children with school work
– Be a better parent
· Career Interest
– Not sure about working / · Learning Style:
– Kinesthetic
– Social-Group
– Expressiveness-Oral
· Barriers:
– Available for class only when children are in school
· Special Learning Needs:
– Difficulty with keeping place
– Trouble reading small print
– No recent eye exam
James: Age 48, Completed High School, Employed
· TABE Grade Level Results:
– Reading = 2.3
– Language =
– Math =
· Personal Goals
– Read better
– Learn to use the computer
– Pass a qualifying test for a better position at work
· Career Interest
– Better position at hospital (currently works in food service) / · Learning Styles:
– Kinesthetic
– Social Individual
– Visual Numerical
· Barriers:
– Only available certain evenings
– Work schedule sometimes changes
– Does not like groups
– States that he has a reading problem
· Special Learning Needs:
– Scored 15 on Learning Needs Screening
– Doesn’t know if ever diagnosed for LD
– Told he was ‘slow learner’
– Takes Zoloft for depression
Special Case Studies (OPT, Computer Lit, Work-based Project)
· No standardized assessment administered
· Personal Goals
– Prepare a resume
– Prepare for an interview
· Career Interest
– Child care / · No screening administered.
Shawn: Age 18, Completed Grade 11, Unemployed
· OPT Overall Results = 2300
– Reading =460
– Writing =450
– Science =480
– Social Studies =480
– Math =430
· Personal Goals
– Pass the OPT/GED / · No screening administered.
· Special Learning Needs:
– Stated he was diagnosed with ADHD
– Mother said he might need private room, breaks and extended time for GED Tests
– Wanted to try OPT without accommodations first
Maria: Age 17, Completed Grade 11, Employed
· OPT Overall Results = 2270
– Reading =470
– Writing =400
– Science =480
– Social Studies =500
– Math =420
· TABE Grade Level Results:
– Language = 8.2
– Math=8.5
· Personal Goals
– Pass the OPT/GED
– Enroll in Community College
– Get financial aid
· Career Interest
– Not sure. / · Learning Styles:
– Kinesthetic
– Social Individual
– Visual Numerical
· Barriers:
– Has a young child.
– Can only come to class once or twice a month.
· Special Learning Needs:
– None identified.
Nasim: Age 70, Completed High School in India, Retired
· Computer Literacy Self-assessment Checklist Results:
– Checklist level 2
· Personal Goals
– Improve Computer Skills
· Career Interest
– Retired. Not planning to work. / · Learning Style:
– Visual
– Social-Group
· Barriers:
– Trouble reading computer screen
– Slightly hard-of-hearing
– Speaks English with accent
· Special Learning Needs:
– Difficulty with keeping place
– Trouble reading small print
– No recent eye or hearing exam
SPOKES Case Studies
· TABE Grade Level Results:
– Reading = 10.5
– Math = 9.1
· Personal Goals
– Go to college
· Career Interest
– Not sure / · Learning Style:
– Visual
– Tactile
· Barriers:
– Car needs repair (can’t afford)
– Young children who often get sick
· Special Learning Needs:
– Easily distracted
– Takes medication for depression
Michele: Age 28, Completed Grade 11 TANF Recipient, is available for work
· TABE Grade Level Results:
– Reading = 11.6
– Math = 4.5
· Personal Goals
– Get a Job
– Get a Drivers License
· Career Interest
– Become a Nurse / · Learning Style:
– Visual
· Barriers:
– Depends on relatives for transportation
– Pre-school age children
· Special Learning Needs:
– None identified
Joe: Age 37, Completed High School, TANF Recipient, CWEP Employee
· TABE Grade Level Results:
– Reading = 7.5
– Math = 4.2
· Personal Goals
– Get Drivers License restored (suspended due to fines)
– Get a CDL
· Career Interest
– Wants to be a Truck Driver / · Learning Style:
– Tactile
· Barriers:
– Comes to class with spouse
– Outstanding fines for traffic tickets
· Special Learning Needs:
– ADHD Diagnosis
– Not on medication
ESL Case Studies
· CASAS Scale Score Results:
– Reading = 240
– Listening = 234
· Personal Goals
– Improve grammar & pronunciation in English
– Prepare for TOEFL exam
– Enter a college in WV; get student visa
– Get a US driver’s license
· Career Interest
– Translator in own country / · Learning Style:
– Reading
– Work alone
· Barriers:
– Does not have a driver’s license (gets a ride)
– Currently has no Social Security Number
– In the US as a tourist visiting relatives
· Special Learning Needs:
– None apparent
Ana Lucia: Age 26, completed 6th grade in Latin America, unemployed (works for cash)
· BEST Scale Score Results:
– BEST Literacy = 7
– BEST Plus Oral Interview = 420
· Goals
– Learn English
– Speak English at doctor’s office & children’s school
– Read medicine labels
· Career Interest
– Better job; not sure what kind / · Learning Style:
– Group
· Barriers:
– Works in the day (cleans houses for cash)
– Takes turns with spouse attending evening class/watching kids
· Special Learning Needs:
– Trouble reading/writing in Spanish
Farah: Age 60, completed college in the Middle East, unemployed, not in labor force
· BEST Plus Results:
– Oral Interview = 408
· CASAS Scale Score Results:
– Reading = 205
· Goals
– Talk with American neighbors
– Prepare for US Citizenship exam
– Get a Driver’s License
· Career Interest
– Not planning to work / · Learning Style:
– Group
– Visual
· Barriers:
– Needs transportation to class
· Special Learning Needs:
– Has trouble with memory