ACT College and Career Readiness Workshops. The ACT Readiness Workshop

ACT College and Career Readiness Workshops The ACT Readiness Workshop

Introduction Introduction of presenter Presenter name: Email: Phone number:

Today s Workshop Purpose Getting Students Prepared for the ACT Test To inform To assist To provide

Agenda Getting Students Prepared for the ACT Welcome The ACT PreACT Break ACT Test Prep ACT Aspire Wrap up

ACT Mission: Helping people achieve education and workplace success Elementary High School educational assessment Postsecondary Education awareness, engagement, placement, and enrollment assessment Workforce Development assessments and solutions ACT is the nation s leader in college and career readiness, providing research-based solutions grounded in more than 50 years of experience.

ACT Benchmarks and Standards Data Driven

ACT Benchmarks and Standards Data Driven ACT National Curriculum Survey drives the test content ACT College Readiness Benchmarks scores associated with postsecondary success in credit-bearing courses ACT College and Career Readiness Standards empirically based on an analysis of the skills and knowledge students need to respond successfully to an assessment question

ACT National Curriculum Survey Driving test content Determines what skills and knowledge postsecondary institutions expect Measures college-ready skills Collects information from diverse education audiences across the nation Provides consultation with content area experts

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks Based on ACT analysis of actual student performance in college The minimum ACT test scores required for students to have a high probability of success in corresponding first-year credit-bearing college courses 50% chance of earning a B or better 75% chance or better of earning a C or better

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards Direct link between what students have learned and what they are ready to learn next Help interpret what the scores earned on the ACT mean Identify the knowledge and skills students are likely to demonstrate at various score levels on each academic test Linked to college instruction

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards

ACT College and Career Readiness Standards Ideas for Progress

How prepared are students?

The ACT Features Two Models National Testing Student registers for the ACT State and District Testing The ACT is provided by State or District Board of Education

ACT National Testing Overview Test Options Two options The ACT The ACT with writing Offered six times each year Typically on a Saturday morning Test methods Paper only

ACT National Testing Features Student Web Account 95% students register online at www.act.org Register online and upload photo 24/7 Complete Career and Interest Inventory View scores beginning two weeks after test date Print admission ticket Receive email reminders Decide where to send scores Update student profile

ACT National Testing Benefits Students Curriculum-based every day students attend class they re preparing for the ACT Accepted by ALL four-year colleges and universities in the United States ACT scores are based on the number of correct answers there is no penalty for guessing Helps students identify personally relevant career and college major options Offers interventions to assist students in educational and career planning

ACT National Testing Benefits Educators Helps educators monitor academic growth and identify interventions Grades 3 through 12 when combined with ACT Aspire Helps educators improve curriculum and instructional tools ACT reporting categories aligned with ACT College and Career Readiness Standards Provides colleges and universities with detailed data Improves recruiting, advising, placement, and retention

ACT District Testing Overview The ACT State and District testing allows state and district leaders the opportunity to provide the ACT to 11th and 12th grade students within their participating schools. Students are able to test on a weekday in the familiar environment of their own school.

ACT District Testing Overview Test Options Two options The ACT The ACT with writing All participating schools in the same state/district must use the same test option Test methods Online Paper

ACT District Testing Features Test Dates Options One in the fall Allows seniors to receive scores in time to meet college application deadlines Available to seniors and juniors Two in the spring Registration open until August 26 for February 28 test date and October 28 for April 19 test date All schools in same state/district must test in the same window Paper testing includes a scheduled makeup test date Online testing allows for testing to occur during a designated window

ACT District Testing Features District Testing Available to public school districts that do not have a state adoption during the same testing season (fall/spring) Minimum 50 testers per district per test date Private schools may participate regardless if the state has a state adoption State may request input on test date or test option District must sign new contract for each participating test season

ACT District Testing Features Reports Student Report High School Report Aggregate Reports Student Data File

ACT State and District Testing Benefits Students All the benefits of a national test date Test occurs during school day in familiar surroundings Less stressful environment No travel or Saturday commitment Free of charge to students State or District billed per student tested Exempt from photo upload requirement Provided to all students Reach students who were not previously considering college Opportunity to opt-in to ACT Educational Opportunity Service Connects students to interested colleges and universities

ACT State and District Testing Benefits School Level Compare student achievement to other schools in the district and national norms Help determine curriculum areas in need of improvement Measure student achievement levels on group and individual basis Direct student course placement with additional information provided Help increase score on future tests

ACT State and District Testing Benefits District Level Establish baseline information on student performance Promotes a college ready expectation for all students Gain insight on student academic achievement and college readiness levels Benchmark and compare school performance among schools in their district Make informed curriculum decisions and intervention strategies

Reporting Updates Overview Reports have been enhanced to allow students and educators to better navigate results and gain meaningful insights Reports are more visually engaging Reports will introduce reporting categories to replace subscore categories Easier for students to determine if they are meeting levels of college and career readiness More than 3,400 students, parents and educators were involved in the research that guided the design of the enhanced reports

What s Next for the ACT September 2016 Redesigned Paper Score Reports The following paper reports will have a new design and format: The ACT student score report The ACT high school score report The ACT college score report The ACT high school checklist

Redesigned Paper Score Reports

What s Next for the ACT Introduction of a comprehensive set of reporting categories for each subject test (English, mathematics, reading, and science) Based on the ACT College Readiness Standards as well as other sets of standards that target college and career readiness Will replace the current subject test subscores (e.g., rhetorical skills, arts/literature) Easier to understand the makeup of any subject test score to better understand a student s strengths and areas for improvement States and districts will receive better aggregate information regarding student achievement

New Reporting Categories and ACT Readiness Ranges Each reporting category will show: Total points possible Total points achieved Percent correct The ACT Readiness Ranges The ACT Readiness Range shows where a student who has met the ACT College Readiness Benchmark on the subject test would typically perform on that skill grouping (reporting category) Combination of reporting category scores and the ACT Readiness Ranges will better highlight student areas that require the most additional assistance

New Reporting Categories and ACT Readiness Ranges

STEM Benchmark ACT has a long-standing commitment to STEM education and skill measurement The ACT is the only college admission exam featuring a science test Indicates the scores required for a high probability of success in credit-bearing STEM college courses Related to achieving longer-term outcomes, including: Earning a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher Persisting in a STEM major Earning a STEM-related bachelor s degree Achieving a STEM-related career path STEM Benchmark is 26

Interest-Major Fit Students Help strengthen or reconsider their current plans Provide opportunity for further college exploration Counselors Starting point for discussing transition to college Conversations with students can vary based on level of alignment Alignment: facilitate discussion of coursework and occupations related to the major Out of alignment: opportunity to discuss the results and suggest alternative majors or educational pathways that help the student achieve their career goals Colleges Better customize admission communication efforts

Career Connector The Career Connector visually summarizes a student s work-relevant interests. The compass points are the four basic work tasks shown to underlie the work activities of occupations across the work world: working with people, data, things, and ideas. The Career Connector summarizes the pattern of results from the scales on the ACT Interest Inventory and visually displays it as one or two directions with respect to these compass points. The Career Connector also provides a personalized list of five potential occupations that involve work tasks in this same direction.

Writing Test Score Update In fall 2015, ACT introduced enhancements to the design of the ACT writing test. The enhancements provided additional insight on student writing including four domain scores and an overall ACT writing subject score on a 1 36 scale. We heard from customers that the 1 36 scale caused confusion because users attempted to interpret the writing scores alongside scores earned on other ACT subject tests.

Writing Test Score Update To reduce confusion, ACT is taking the following steps with writing scores beginning in September 2016: Score reports for test events administered on or after September 2016 will no longer report writing scores on the 1 36 scale, which caused the confusion. For test events beginning in September 2016, the overall reported writing score will change to be the rounded average of the four writing domain scores having a score range of 2 12. We will be providing additional clarity to the writing task instructions. However, the task itself will not change.

Writing Test Score Update We are not changing the following: The four writing domain 2 12 scores (sum of 1 6 raw scores from 2 raters) will continue to be reported as they are now. The English Language Arts (ELA) score, which combines the student s achievement on the English, reading, and writing tests, will remain on a 1 36 scale. The writing test task will not be changed. The scoring rubric will not be changed.

Writing Test Score Update Important to note: Although the writing test score was reported on a 2 12 range prior to September 2015, it is NOT reverting back to the same 2 12 range because the score will be calculated differently than the pre- September 2015 writing test score. When referring to the new 2 12 score range, it is important to call it a score range and not a score scale.

Writing Test Score Update

Stay Informed www.act.org/theact/enhancements

The ACT Features Counselor/Educator Resources Preparing for the ACT Why Take The ACT? Using Your ACT Results ACT User Handbook Test dates and deadlines Sample Score Reports ACT Online Prep school version ACT sample test booklets/retired tests Forms fee waiver eligibility, paper registration, accommodated testing Order materials

A New Way to Prepare

PreACT Overview Taking PreACT is one of the first actionable steps a student will take to practice for The ACT test.

PreACT Overview 10th grade multiple-choice paper assessment Provides actionable insights for students, parents, and educators Shorter in length than the ACT Flexible test administration dates Rapid reporting means earlier and more effective intervention and planning

PreACT Overview Reporting PreACT scores and predicted ACT score ranges for composite and subject test on ACT 1 36 scale PreACT reporting category scores Student s college and career planning results, including their results on Interest-Career Fit STEM and text complexity scores Student level item response and improvement skills

PreACT Key Benefits for Students Early practice for taking the ACT test Provides PreACT score and predicted ACT score ranges on the ACT 1 36 scale Students may opt to share their information with colleges and scholarship agencies Results of the ACT Interest Inventory provides students a personalized view of interests with college and career alignment

PreACT Key Benefits for Parents Understand student s potential performance on the ACT Understand general academic strengths and weaknesses as well as specific areas of need for academic intervention Understand if student s interests and career goals are aligned with their academic performance Assist in early postsecondary planning and career investigation Helps to have informed conversations about academics, interests, college, and career choices

PreACT Key Benefits for Educators Flexible administration (Sept 1 June1) Provides a snapshot of how students are performing across academic standards Reporting categories provide insights to inform classroom and educator intervention Enables counselors to have college and career planning conversations Quick access to individual student data and patterns of performance

Getting Ready for PreACT Ordering and Administering PreACT

Getting Ready for PreACT Steps for Preparing 1. Determine test date and order materials 2. Attend webinar training 3. Receive implementation plan and materials 4. Talk to staff about testing 5. Administer test 6. Return materials for scoring 7. Receive and analyze reports

Order Online For Districts and Schools access the www.act.org/preact website to order materials

Getting Ready for the PreACT Confirm and Receive your Email with Implementation Plan

Making the Connection Student Reports

ACT Test Prep Options

ACT Test Prep Products and Services The best preparation for success on the ACT is for students to work hard and take challenging courses. ACT offers free and affordable prep products and services to support students, parents and educators.

Why Use ACT Test Prep? Make students comfortable before the testing experience Build confidence and improve their skills Provide test-taking strategies From the makers of the test

To determine what products might work for your students, ask these questions: What are you hoping to accomplish? How much time do you have? Are you looking for a practice opportunity for students? Are you looking to influence and improve student performance? Are you trying to identify students who might need early intervention to do well on the ACT?

ACT Prep Resources ACT Kaplan Online Prep LIVE Preparing for The ACT (includes practice test) The Official ACT Prep Guide Question of the Day changes daily Free practice Questions online PreACT ACT Online Prep Key: Free Resource Paid Resource ACT Alternate Format Practice Tests ACT Sample Tests Tips for Taking the ACT

Free Test Prep Resources FREE Resources: Preparing for the ACT Test 1 full length practice test including writing Also available in Spanish online Practice Questions online and Question of the Day Tips for Taking the ACT Alternate Format Practice Tests (DVD, Braille, Large Type)

Free to Fee Waiver Students New partnership between ACT and Kaplan Prep to provide online, live instructional classes aimed at preparation for the ACT and improvement of academic skills focused on college readiness Premium ACT preparation product Includes full access to all aspects of ACT Online Prep Live instructor-lead, interactive classes English, Math, Reading, Science, and noncognitive Live streaming video with in-session chat and polling Flexible scheduling Multiple nights and levels of classes Available on any computer/mobile device

Free to Fee Waiver Students Available for students to purchase Free to students registering for a National ACT test with a fee waiver http://www.onlinepreplive.com/

Additional Test Prep Options for a Fee The Official ACT Prep Guide Sample Tests Self-scored With or without writing Assessments PreACT ACT Aspire

Research Supports Early Monitoring Readiness matters Early monitoring matters Multiple dimensions matter

Longitudinal View of Readiness ACT Aspire Grades 3 10 The ACT Grades 11 12 ACT NCRC English, mathematics, reading, science, and writing ACT Readiness Benchmarks ACT College Readiness Benchmarks Predicted ACT score

ACT Aspire Overview The ACT Aspire Assessment System is a vertically-scaled, standards-based system of assessments that monitors student growth and progress in the context of college and career readiness.

ACT Aspire Features Multiple Item Types Selected Response Items can accurately distinguish students who grasp a basic concept from those who do not. As one component of our assessments, selectedresponse items can help measure a large amount of content in a brief time. Constructed Response Require learners to use creativity, organizational skills, logic, and content knowledge to demonstrate understanding. Technology-Enhanced Any question that takes advantage of computer capability to present material to the student, engage the student in an activity, simulate the creation of information, or otherwise allow interaction not possible in paper mode testing.

ACT Aspire Summative Assessment Robust, accurate measurement connected to ACT College and Career Readiness Standards and Benchmarks, and including longitudinal reporting on a vertical scale linked to the ACT Overview: 1 summative assessment in each grade and content area for grades 3 10 in English, math, reading, science, and writing Format: Paper or online, selected-response, constructed response, and technology enhanced items Grades: 3 though 10 Duration: 30 75 minutes each depending on grade and subject Available Feedback: Online robust reporting (paper available for a fee) ACT

ACT Aspire New 2016 Features Addition of the Exceeding Readiness Level to Summative Individual Student Reports (ISR) New, single-page, black-and-white Individual Student Report that will supplement (not replace) the current ISR Summative assessment now available on ipads Unified English Braille (UEB) test form available for Summative assessment New data file (SRF) for Interim assessment data

ACT Aspire Periodic Assessments The Periodic Assessments consist of two central components: Interim and Classroom Assessments For efficient implementation, they are fixed-format, online, multiplechoice assessments with immediate online analysis and reporting

ACT Aspire Periodic Assessment Interim Measures Fast, convenient, and accurate measurement to be implemented at intervals leading up to the ACT Aspire Summative Assessment Compendium: 4 interim assessments in each grade and content area for grades 3 10 in English, math, reading, and science Format: Fixed-format, online, multiple-choice Grades: 3 though 10 Duration: 20 48 items; 45 minutes or less Available Feedback: Immediate, online analysis and reporting ACT

ACT Aspire Periodic Assessment Classroom Measures Short-term assessments used in concert with the Interim Measures. Compendium: 10 classroom assessments in each grade and content area for grades 3 8 in English, math, reading, and science Format: Fixed-format, online, multiple-choice Grades: 3 though 8 Duration: 15 20 minutes Available Feedback: Immediate, online analysis and reporting Configuration: Each 5 item quiz is mapped to 1 or 2 Standards ACT

ACT Aspire Features Stronger Technologies Group or Individual Testing High flexibility allows traditionally grouped tests and individuals to be tested as needed Robust Capacity In academic year 2015-2016, ACT Aspire successfully delivered more than 6 million assessments, both online and paper; nearly 17 million assessments have been given since launching ACT Aspire in 2013

ACT Aspire Benefits Provides evidence-based results Additional measures provide a more holistic view of student Educators have greater visibility into specific areas of academic risk and can apply earlier intervention Modular administration by subject and/or grade provides testing flexibility Links to ACT College Readiness Benchmarks ensure a student s path to College and Career Readiness is on target Provides educators with a powerful predictor of performance on the ACT beginning in grades 9 and 10

ACT Aspire Features Online Reporting for Schools and Districts Rich data and insights Accessible via computer or tablet Downloadable PDFs of student and select aggregate reports Online reporting for schools, districts, and states Aggregate data files available for download to SIS

Summative Reporting Easy-to-Use Data and Insights Flexible Student Grouping your results as you want to see them Quick identification of Benchmark Attainment, Growth, and Standards Performance Student Longitudinal Growth charts showing personalized progress Predicted ACT scores for Composite and each subject starting in early high school National Normative data to provide grade-level context Standards performance based on ACT College and Career Readiness Standards including: ACT Readiness Ranges: Typical performance of students who have met the ACT Readiness Benchmark for that subject Simple interventions as a path to improvement

Summative Reporting Additional Measures of Readiness National Percentile Ranks showing students how they performed vs. other students in their grade nationwide ELA score for students who test in English, reading, and writing STEM scores for students who test in both math and science A Reading Progress with Text Complexity Score A Progress Toward Career Readiness Score (grades 8 10) for students who test in English, math, reading, and science Predicted ACT Subject and Composite Scores (beginning at grade 9/10)

Periodic Reporting Timely reports reports available same day* Flexible Student Grouping your results as you want to see them Standards performance based on ACT College and Career Readiness Standards Simple interventions as a path to improvement Response & Content Analysis summary of student responses to test questions and test questions released with standards/reporting categories aligned to each question are

Aggregate Reporting Online for Educators, Schools, and Districts Identifies potential curriculum gaps Identifies students in need of intervention Identifies opportunities for professional development

Additional Measures of Readiness National Norms ELA Combined Score (English, Reading and Writing) Progress With Text Complexity Scores STEM Combined Score (Science and Math) Progress Toward Career Readiness (EHS Grades 9/10)

Reporting Data

Subject Proficiency by Student

ACT Aspire Resources Go to discoveractaspire.org to find general product information Go to actaspire.pearson.com if you are an existing customer looking for training opportunities and administration support Go to actaspire.org to manage, deliver, and view the results of your ACT Aspire assessment

Wrap up Let s continue the conversation When you receive a follow-up email from us in about two days, please fill out the survey that you will reach via a link in the email at www.act.org/ccrw Use the email you receive from us to let us know if you want us to contact you to follow up on anything you learned today

Recap of the Day Benchmarks and Standards The ACT Still time to register for District testing! PreACT ACT Test Prep Options ACT Aspire

You can also reach me at: Email: Phone: