LOW INTERMEDIATE ABE COMPETENCY OUTLINE

CASAS Range: 211-220 TABE Range: 4.1-6.0

By the end of this level, learners will have worked on and attained competency in the following areas:

1. Communication

   1. Practice appropriate group communication skills.

      1. Verbal and nonverbal feedback

      2. Consensus building

      3. Active listening

   2. Initiate conversation with a single person.

2. Consumer Economics

   1. Use banking skills.

      1. Recognize how to apply for a loan

      2. Savings account interest

      3. Reconcile a bank statement

   2. Write a check and deposit form.

   3. Read and interpret housing availability through want ads and signs,

      1. Abbreviations

      2. Contact information

      3. Match housing description to housing needs and payment abilities and evaluate specific residence as an appropriate choice

   4. Interpret information on landlord and tenant rights,

      1. Read and understand a lease

      2. Read and understand informational pamphlets on landlord/tenant rights

      3. Know where to file complaints

      4. Fair Housing

   5. Interpret information on driving regulations.

      1. Comprehend driver’s license preparation material

      2. Read and interpret traffic and driving informational and directional signs and symbols

   6. Interpret information on automobile insurance.

      1. Fill out an automobile insurance application form

      2. Comprehend written material explaining automobile insurance

      3. Compare and contrast insurance plans

         1. what is covered

         2. cost of coverage

   7. Interpret information on automobile maintenance.

      1. Interpret a chart showing scheduled automobile maintenance

      2. Interpret a bill for automobile maintenance

         1. estimate

         2. final bill

   8. Compare and contrast shopping payment options.

      1. Credit cards

         1. annual percentage rate, APR

         2. minimum payment

         3. compounded interest

         4. in arrears

         5. past due

      2. Debit cards

         1. from a checking account

         2. no interest

         3. works like a check

         4. PIN

         5. ATM

      3. Cash

      4. Check

      5. Store financing

         1. percentage rate

         2. down payment

         3. payment plans

   9. Interpret product ads.

      1. Locate price

      2. Locate conditions of/restrictions for purchase

      3. Identify sales tactic

         1. celebrity endorsement

         2. going out of business sale

         3. limited quantity

         4. everybody’s got it

   10. Interpret product labels.

       1. Read and interpret instructions

          1. for use

          2. for assembly

          3. to prepare

       2. Interpret price labels

          1. price per ounce

          2. price per item

          3. sales tags

   11. Recognize elements of comparison shopping.

       1. Methods to gain information about products

          1. manufacturer information

          2. reviews and reports by independent evaluators

          3. word of mouth

       2. Information to compare

          1. price

          2. warranties

          3. guarantees

          4. return policies

          5. performance

   12. Create a simple family budget.

       1. Budget categories

       2. Income and expenses

   13. Complete a 1040EZ tax form.

       1. Read a W-2 form

       2. Read and follow instructions in a tax booklet

3. Community Resources

   1. Locate information about community agencies and services.

      1. Locate names, addresses, and phone numbers in the phone book

      2. Interpret information in pamphlets as to appropriateness of service for a problem

      3. Know the name and contact information for

         1. legal information

         2. social service information

         3. educational programs for children

         4. food shelves

         5. city information

         6. county information

         7. driver’s license office

         8. library

         9. domestic violence shelter or hotline

         10. hospital

   2. Use maps to locate places and travel directions.

      1. Locate county

      2. Locate addresses of local businesses

      3. Identify a travel route from one location to another using a street map

      4. Identify a travel route from one city to another using a highway map

   3. Interpret time zone information.

      1. Identify time zones on a map of the US

      2. Figure out the time in one area of the US when it is another time in a different area

   4. Use a thermometer to measure temperature.

      1. Above and below zero

      2. Above and below freezing

      3. Fahrenheit and Celsius

4. Health

   1. Compute dosage using a chart.

      1. Height

      2. weight

   2. Interpret nutrition information.

      1. Percentage of Recommended Daily Allowance met by a serving

      2. Subjective understanding if there is too much or too little of an ingredient, vitamin, or mineral

   3. Identify information on substance abuse problems.

      1. Location of places to assist with alcohol, tobacco, or drug abuse

      2. Recognition of symptoms of alcohol, tobacco, or drug abuse

      3. Read pamphlets on abuse problems and treatment centers for information on symptoms and assistance

5. Employment

   1. Identify places to obtain information about employment vacancies.

      1. Want ads

      2. Networking

      3. Internet job search sites

      4. Job postings

      5. Employment agencies

   2. Interpret job vacancy information.

      1. Read and understand qualifications and duties of the position

      2. Evaluate job appropriateness

         1. qualifications match what candidate is able to do

         2. duties are of interest

         3. pay and hours meet lifestyle requirements

   3. Complete a detailed job application without assistance.

   4. Create a resume.

      1. Objective

      2. Education

      3. Experience

      4. Special skills

      5. References

   5. Write a cover letter in response to a specific job.

      1. Formal letter format

      2. Specific information

      3. Word processed

   6. Ask and answer questions at a job interview.

      1. Job interview format

      2. Practice appropriate interpersonal skills

         1. hand shake

         2. eye contact

         3. posture

         4. active listening

         5. responding to the question asked

      3. Demonstrate job related behavior.

         1. punctuality

         2. good grooming

         3. hygiene

   7. Fill out a time card or time sheet.

      1. Enter time in appropriate manner

      2. Add up time

   8. Interpret information on a pay stub.

      1. Deductions

      2. Gross pay

      3. Net pay

      4. Compute net pay when given gross pay and deductions

      5. Vacation and sick leave balances

      6. Overtime computations

      7. Calculate hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly wage rates

   9. Compare information about benefit plans and fill out enrollment forms.

      1. Fill out benefit enrollment forms

      2. Read information about benefit options

      3. Compare and select benefit options that meet personal needs

   10. Fill out a productivity chart.

   11. Locate information on a procedure chart or diagram.

6. Government and Law

   1. Know basic American history and government facts.

      1. Constitution

      2. Bill of Rights

      3. Elected officials

         1. national

         2. state

         3. local

   2. Know information on basic economic systems.

      1. Capitalism

      2. Supply and demand

      3. Profit and loss

   3. Know consequences for breaking the law.

      1. Trial, trial by jury

      2. Probation

      3. Work release

      4. Prison/jail

7. Computation

   1. Know number names up to 1,000,000.

      1. Read and write in words and digits

      2. Order and compare

   2. Complete addition and subtraction computations.

      1. Add three or four 3-digit or 4-digit numbers with or without regrouping

      2. Subtract 3-, 4-, or 5-digit numbers with or without regrouping

      3. Commutative properties of addition

   3. Complete multiplication and division computations.

      1. Multiply a 2-digit number by a 2-digit number

      2. Multiply a 3-, 4-, or 5-digit number by a 1-, 2-, or 3-digit number with regrouping

      3. Divide a 3-, 4-, or 5-digit number by a 1-, 2-, or 3-digit number with and without remainders

      4. Associative properties of multiplication

      5. Distributive properties of division

      6. Identify factors of numbers up to 100

   4. Identify prime numbers up to 13.

   5. Apply fraction concepts.

      1. Multiples

      2. Connection between fractions and division

      3. Associate verbal names with word names and numerals

      4. Understand comparative size of common fractions

      5. Write numbers as fractions

   6. Convert fractions to other fraction forms.

      1. Convert mixed and improper fractions

      2. Reduce fractions

      3. Equivalent fractions

   7. Complete computations with fractions.

      1. Add and subtract fractions with common and uncommon denominators

      2. Multiply and divide fractions with mixed numbers

   8. Apply decimal concepts.

      1. Associate verbal names with word names and numbers

      2. Understand relative size of common decimals

      3. Place value to 3 places

   9. Identify the relationship between fractions and decimals.

      1. Convert decimals to fractions

      2. Convert fractions to decimals

   10. Complete computations with decimals.

       1. Round decimals to one or two decimal places or to a whole number

       2. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide

       3. Multiply and divide by powers of 10

   11. Relate decimals to the money system.

       1. Read and write monetary amounts

       2. Make change

       3. Calculate money amounts

   12. Apply percentage concepts.

       1. Read and write simple percentages

       2. Convert decimals to percents and percents to decimals

   13. Complete computations with percentages.

       1. Find 10% and 1% of an amount mentally

       2. Percent equivalents for simple common fractions (halves, quarters)

       3. Find percent of a number

       4. Find standards percents of numbers to 1000 (10%, 25%, 50%)

   14. Apply concepts of ratio and proportion.

       1. Identify proportional quantities

       2. State ratios and percents in words and numerical notation

       3. Express quantities as ratios

   15. Solve narrative math problems.

       1. Identify necessary and irrelevant information

       2. Solve problems using one or two basic operations

       3. Use estimation

       4. Use mental math

       5. Solve problems of 1 or 2 steps

       6. Solve problems with diagrams

       7. Cost formula

   16. Use a calculator.

       1. Basic calculations

       2. Calculations involving percents

       3. Calculations involving decimals

   17. Identify mathematical patterns.

       1. Counting patterns in a set of numbers

       2. Simple calculations that set a pattern in a set of numbers

   18. Apply basic algebra concepts.

       1. Write simple equations for basic math problems

       2. Solve problems using parentheses

       3. Solve one step equations with one unknown

   19. Interpret exponents.

       1. Say in words numbers squared and cubed

       2. Compute squared and cubed numbers

   20. Write abbreviations for standard units of measurement, use a ruler, and add or subtract measurements.

       1. Write abbreviations for standard units of measurement

       2. Use a ruler to measure to the ¼ inch

       3. Add or subtract measurements with no conversions

   21. Use the formulas for perimeter and area.

       1. Perimeter

       2. Area

   22. Describe, classify, compare, and sort geometric figures.

       1. Two-dimensional

          1. circle

          2. triangle

          3. angles

          4. square

          5. rectangle

          6. pentagon

          7. hexagon

          8. octagon

       2. Three-dimensional

          1. pyramid

          2. cube

          3. rectangular solid

          4. cylinder

   23. Identify types of lines.

       1. Parallel

       2. Perpendicular

       3. Intersecting

   24. Identify simple angle and degrees.

       1. 90, 180, 360 degrees

       2. Right angles

   25. Calculate time.

       1. Hours, minutes, seconds

       2. Hours, day, weeks, months, years

       3. Hours and minutes as decimals

   26. Find rates.

       1. Averages

       2. Unit rates

       3. Velocity

       4. Frequency

   27. Measure and calculate US units.

       1. Weight

       2. Temperature

       3. Capacity

       4. Dimension

       5. Area

          1. squares

          2. rectangles

       6. Volume

          1. cubes

          2. rectangular solids

   28. Read, interpret, and analyze data.

       1. Locate and compare information

          1. bar graphs, circle graphs, line graphs

          2. tables

          3. charts

       2. Mean, median

       3. Express data as ratios

       4. Use data to make computations

       5. Use data to make predictions

   29. Determine probability.

       1. Probability of certain simple events

       2. Express as fractions

8. Learning to Learn (Reading)

   1. Apply word analysis concepts.

      1. Vowel digraphs

      2. Vowel diphthongs

      3. Compound words

      4. Prefixes

      5. Suffixes

      6. Roots

      7. Syllabication

      8. Syllables

         1. CVC

         2. VCe

         3. VR

         4. CV

         5. Cle

         6. VV

   2. Reading and interpret vocabulary.

      1. High frequency words and phrases in functional text

      2. Abbreviations

         1. cooking

         2. employment

         3. finance

      3. Meaning from word formation

         1. verb endings

         2. plurals

         3. possessives

         4. comparatives

      4. Idioms

      5. Colloquialisms

      6. Signal words

      7. Connotations of familiar vocabulary

   3. Read and comprehend a variety of texts.

      1. Multi-paragraph

      2. General informational materials

      3. Technical materials

      4. Short stories

      5. Poetry

      6. Personal essay

      7. Workplace procedures

      8. Operating instructions

      9. Consumer materials

      10. Forms

          1. housing

          2. insurance

          3. pay statements

      11. Graphic documents

          1. charts

          2. schedules

          3. tables

          4. lists

          5. maps

          6. diagrams

          7. graphs

   4. Apply reading strategies.

      1. Formatting clues

         1. headings

         2. captions

         3. bullets

         4. bold

      2. Pre-reading

         1. previewing

         2. predicting

      3. Skimming

      4. Scanning

      5. Graphic organizers

      6. Fluency

   5. Utilize reference materials.

      1. Index

      2. Table of contents

      3. Glossary

      4. Directory

      5. Catalog

      6. Standard dictionary

   6. Practice reading skills.

      1. Main idea

      2. Supporting detail

      3. Compare/contrast

      4. Cause/effect

      5. Problem/solution

      6. Persuasion

      7. Fact/opinion

      8. Comparison of information for various sources

   7. Analyze literary texts.

      1. Story elements

         1. plot

         2. character

         3. setting

         4. conflict

         5. resolution

      2. Cause and effect relationships

9. Grammar and Writing

   1. Use Edited American English.

      1. Standard capitalization

      2. Standard use of commas

      3. Standard use of apostrophes

      4. Standard use of end punctuation

   2. Follow spelling rules for adding suffixes and prefixes.

   3. Utilize a writing process.

      1. Prewriting

      2. Drafting

      3. Revising

   4. Organize writing using organization patterns and transitions.

      1. Organization patterns in paragraphs

         1. sequence

         2. cause-effect

      2. Transitions

   5. Identify parts of speech in text.

      1. Subject

      2. Predicate

      3. Noun

      4. Verb

      5. Pronoun

      6. Adjective

      7. Adverb

      8. Conjunction

      9. Preposition

      10. Interjection

      11. Articles

   6. Use verbs in the present, past, and future tenses.

      1. Present tenses

         1. simple present

         2. present continuous

         3. present perfect

      2. Past tenses

         1. simple past

         2. past continuous

         3. past perfect

      3. Future tenses

         1. simple future

         2. future perfect

   7. Write and identify sentences with various sentence structures.

      1. Compound subject and predicate

      2. Compound sentence with conjunction

      3. Phrases

      4. Independent clauses

      5. Dependent clauses

      6. Complex sentences

   8. Write paragraphs.

      1. Well stated main idea and topic sentence

      2. Clear structure and organizational pattern

      3. Words chosen for effect; some figurative language or interesting descriptive phrases

      4. Minor errors in grammar, spelling, and mechanics; does not interfere with readability