462.3—What definitions apply?
(a) Definitions in the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Act).
The following terms used in these regulations are defined in section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 9202 (Act):
Adult education,
Eligible provider,
Individual of limited English proficiency,
Individual with a disability,
Literacy.
Adult basic education (ABE) means instruction designed for an adult whose educational functioning level is equivalent to a particular ABE literacy level listed in the NRS educational functioning level table in § 462.44.
Adult education population means individuals—
(i)
Lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to enable the individuals to function effectively in society;
(ii)
Do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education; or
Adult secondary education (ASE) means instruction designed for an adult whose educational functioning level is equivalent to a particular ASE literacy level listed in the NRS educational functioning level table in § 462.44.
Content domains, content specifications, or NRS skill areas mean, for the purpose of the NRS, reading, writing, and speaking the English language, numeracy, problem solving, English language acquisition, and other literacy skills as defined by the Secretary.
Educational functioning levels mean the ABE, ASE, and ESL literacy levels, as provided in § 462.44, that describe a set of skills and competencies that students demonstrate in the NRS skill areas.
English-as-a-second language (ESL) means instruction designed for an adult whose educational functioning level is equivalent to a particular ESL literacy level listed in the NRS educational functioning level table in § 462.44.
Guidelines means the Implementation Guidelines: Measures and Methods for the National Reporting System for Adult Education (also known as NRS Implementation Guidelines) posted on the Internet at: http://www.nrsweb.org. A copy of the Guidelines is also available from the U.S. Department of Education, Division of Adult Education and Literacy, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 11159, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-7240.
Local eligible provider means an “eligible provider” as defined in the Act that operates an adult education program that is required to report under the NRS.
State means “State” and “Outlying area” as defined in the Act.
Test means a standardized test, assessment, or instrument that has a formal protocol on how it is to be administered. These protocols include, for example, the use of parallel, equated forms, testing conditions, time allowed for the test, standardized scoring, and the amount of instructional time a student needs before post-testing. Violation of these protocols often invalidates the test scores. Tests are not limited to traditional paper and pencil (or computer-administered) instruments for which forms are constructed prior to administration to examinees. Tests may also include adaptive tests that use computerized algorithms for selecting and administering items in real time; however, for such instruments, the size of the item pool and the method of item selection must ensure negligible overlap in items across pre- and post-testing.
Test administrator means an individual who is trained to administer tests the Secretary determines to be suitable under this part.
Test publisher means an entity, individual, organization, or agency that owns a registered copyright of a test or is licensed by the copyright holder to sell or distribute a test.