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CASL Training Offered:

On a sunny Saturday in August, 23 Speech-Language professionals from all over the country gathered in Bloomington, MN. They were there for the second annual workshop on the Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language (CASL). AGS director of development Dr. Kathleen Williams led the discussion of "Administration and Interpretation of the CASL."

To begin the workshop, participants introduced themselves and discussed their special areas of concern in their work with the CASL. Dr. Williams incorporated their questions into her presentation.

The workshop covered a lot of ground. Participants discussed CASL language theory, CASL features and applications, what to look for when selecting tests (importance of two-way tables and mother's education level), and content of all 15 of the CASL tests.

Each person received a folder of handouts including a suggested reading list with abstracts, descriptive analysis worksheets for the CASL tests, summary and comparisons of the CASL tests, and CASL administration guide. The day ended with a brief test and a chance to comment on the workshop and the presenter. Attendees were eligible to receive American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) continuing education credits.

One participant commented, "I am very impressed with AGS's dedication to providing sound/valid instruments and materials, plus dedicated, knowledgeable professionals." Others credited Dr. Williams with "an excellent rapport with the audience," "a lively presentation style and the ability to draw the audience into the presentation," " a great sense of humor," and "passion about her subject." Breaks and lunchtime provided time for informal discussion. Attendees talked about their work with each other, exchanging ideas and experience. The lunch buffet also provided the participants with a real taste of Minnesota, featuring local food such as wild rice soup, walleye, new potatoes, and strawberry shortcake.

The CASL was developed by Dr. Elizabeth Carrow-Woolfolk. Dr. Williams oversees the assessment battery for the publisher. It is an individually administered, research-based, theory-driven, in-depth assessment of oral language skills for ages 3 through 21. The CASL evaluates four aspects of oral language:

• auditory comprehension, oral expression, and word retrieval
• knowledge and use of words and grammatical structures
• ability to use language for tasks requiring high-level linguistic/cognitive functions
• knowledge and use of language in communicative contexts

A poem for the CASL Trainers by Blanche Bolland (AGS)