Adult education instructors know that success on the TABE 13&14 requires more than mastering reading, math, and language concepts. Learners also need strong critical thinking skills to analyze and apply information, make connections, and draw conclusions like those needed in real world situations.
The TABE 13&14 was designed to measure college and career readiness and higher-order thinking. Rather than relying solely on whether a student can perform an academic skill, the assessment asks learners to use the critical thinking skills that they would use to manage the demands of daily life.
Critical thinking is the process of analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to guide decisions and actions. While adult learners may not always recognize these skills in themselves, they use critical thinking every day.
Many learners successfully navigate work, family responsibilities, transportation systems, healthcare appointments, and countless other situations daily despite literacy challenges. These experiences show that whether they realize it or not, learners already possess valuable problem-solving abilities. The goal of instruction is to help them recognize those strengths and apply them in academic settings.
Although critical thinking is not explicitly listed as a TABE 13&14 objective, it plays a significant role in assessment success. Learners who think critically are better able to:
- Follow multi-step directions
- Analyze reading passages
- Interpret charts, graphs, and data
- Make informed inferences
- Eliminate incorrect answer choices
- Apply knowledge to unfamiliar scenarios
These are exactly the types of skills that support performance on TABE 13&14.
In addition to being fully aligned to the CCRS across skill areas, both our TABE® Mastery 13&14 and Scoreboost® for TABE® 13&14 series also build critical thinking by using the common Gradual Release of Responsibility framework that guides students through using and applying the skill. But intentionally incorporating additional critical thinking approaches into your instruction will help learners build the confidence and reasoning skills that will transfer directly to test success.
Here we have compiled some practical strategies presented at a recent Teacher Training Plus webinar to strengthen critical thinking skills through your existing instruction.
Moving Beyond Recall
Moving beyond simple recall questions is really important to building critical thinking.
Instead of asking learners to identify facts from a reading passage, instructors can encourage deeper thinking by asking:
- What does this information mean?
- Why did this happen?
- What evidence supports your answer?
- What might happen next?
- How does this connect to your own experience?
This shift from memorization to analysis mirrors the progression learners encounter in TABE 13&14. The assessment often requires students to explain, interpret, and apply information rather than simply locate it.
Five Strategies to Build Critical Thinking
1. Make Real-World Connections
Adult learners are more engaged when instruction feels relevant to their lives.
Using authentic materials such as work schedules, medical forms, transportation information, and community resources connects classroom instruction to real-world situations. This approach increases the chances that students will understand concepts deeply and retaininformation.
TABE 13&14 frequently presents reading and math tasks in practical contexts. Using authentic materials during instruction helps learners practice the same type of thinking they will encounter on the assessment.
2. Think Aloud
One of the most effective ways to teach critical thinking is to model it.
During a think-aloud, instructors verbalize their thought process while reading a text to the class or solving a problem:
- “I’m noticing . . .”
- “This makes me wonder . . .”
- “I’m not sure what this word means, so I’m going to look for clues.”
- “This reminds me of something I already know.”
By hearing an experienced reader or problem-solver work through challenges, learners gain insight into strategies they can use. Thinking about your own thinking is especially helpful when faced with a complex test question.
3. Use Open-Ended Questioning
Questions drive thinking.
Instead of relying on yes-or-no questions, instructors can encourage learners to think about the possibilities and explain their reasoning.
Help learners think deeper with questions like:
- Why do you think that happened?
- What evidence supports your answer?
- What would happen if the situation changed?
- What’s missing from this information?
This type of questioning will prepare students for TABE 13&14’s questions that rely on analysis, inference, and evidence-based reasoning.
4. Encourage Peer Discussion
Critical thinking often develops through conversation.
When learners explain their ideas, listen to different perspectives, and respond to questions from peers, they deepen their understanding of content. Discussions help learners clarify their thinking and recognize that there may be multiple valid approaches to solving a problem.
5. Build Reflection into Every Lesson
Reflection is where learning becomes meaningful by helping learners think about how they learn, not just what they learn. Simple reflection activities can include:
- Exit tickets
- Learning journals
- Group discussions
- Self-assessments
Questions such as “What helped you learn today?” or “What was challenging and how did you overcome it?” help adult learners recognize what was effective and build independence.
Reflection strengthens problem-solving abilities and prepares learners to approach unfamiliar test questions with greater confidence.
Building Long-Term Success
Whether learners are analyzing a reading passage, interpreting data, discussing a real-world problem, or reflecting on their learning process, they are building skills that support success on TABE 13&14 and beyond.
By building opportunities for learners to question, analyze, connect, discuss, and reflect into their lessons, instructors help students become more than successful test-takers. They help them become confident thinkers who can navigate challenges in class, in the workplace, and everyday life.
Learn more about our TABE® Mastery 13&14 and Scoreboost® for TABE® 13&14 series.
Watch the full Teacher Training Plus webinar where these tips were first presented.