assessment and certification

What is the CASAS?

The CASAS Life Skills Series is used at Florida Community College to assess the ESOL student's English, reading and listening skills. The assessment consists of a reading and listening appraisal.

Who may take the CASAS?

The CASAS is given to all students as a prerequisite for entering ESOL non-credit classes.

How do I sign up for the CASAS?

Students needing to take the CASAS may call 904.633.8484 or visit the ESOL office at Downtown Campus to schedule an appointment. The assessment is offered every Tuesday and Thursday morning (with the exception of holidays) at the Downtown Campus which is located at 101 W. State St. in Downtown Jacksonville. The assessment is also offered the second Tuesday of every month in the evening. This assessment is used to determine ESOL course placement.

How long is the assessment?

The reading and listening appraisal assessments are 25 minutes each. The reading pre-assessment is 60 minutes. The listening pre-assessments range from 30-45 minutes. The entire assessment takes about 5 hours.

Getting your results.

Results of the CASAS assessments are sent to the Florida Community College Downtown Campus ESOL program coordinator Room A2155 within 24 hours of the assessment administration. When the student attends the ESOL orientation/registration meeting, he/she will be told the results of the assessment. Here is a sample of the student score report.

Other information about the CASAS.

Florida State law requires that all individuals entering ESOL classes take a standardized assessment for program entry. Florida Community College has chosen the CASAS for its ESOL program. The CASAS is a paper and pencil assessment that is administered in group sessions. The assessment measures reading and listening comprehension. It is used to:

Place students in the appropriate program, level or assessment
Diagnose student learning needs
Monitor student progress
Certify student proficiency levels.