What is the ACT test?

- Standardized assessment used by colleges & universities as admission criteria (2nd most influencing factor)

- A curriculum-based measure of college readiness – What

does the student know and is able to do at that time?

- Final assessment- ACT (11th & 12th) - ACT Aspire (9th-10th)

- Meeting benchmark scores in English, Math, Reading,

Science, & Writing - Indicates a 50% chance of B or 75% chance of C or better in

corresponding credit-bearing college courses

Why is it important to do well?

0 Students can scored between 1-36 - State School Admission Standards range from ACT 18-31 - Profile of admitted student to Madison 27-31 - Each composite point can impact scholarship money / college acceptance - Part of DPI state school report card rating

Who? When? ALL Juniors

March 1st – ACT March 2nd – ACT WorkKeys

But I’m not going to college?? Reason #1- Student’s change their minds

Reason #1

This is probably the best reason to still take the test seriously. Life is made up of choices. Those choices take

us different places. You may change your mind.

But I’m not going to college??

0 Reason #2- You might get rejected from a Service Role (Army-Navy) Might not get the job you expected to get from high school and need some additional education

0 The ACT test day is good practice for the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Career Exploration Program tests

0 Reason # 3- Can take instead of taking Accuplacer test for technical colleges. They will accept ACT scores

ACT Matters

It is a test made up of four sections:

All multiple choice questions

English (45 minutes- 75 questions)

Math (60 minutes-60 questions)

Reading (35 minutes- 40 questions)

Science (35 minutes- 40 questions)

Optional Writing Portion

ACT Practice Day..

Nathan Hale will have Juniors practice for the ACT test day:

November 11th 2015 (1st- 6th) - This is a great opportunity to be exposed to the test

- 57% of student’s go up by at least 1 point when they take the ACT again

What are we doing here at Hale to prepare students for this

assessment? - Offer rigorous coursework (#1 impacting)– i.e. AP classes - ACT practice test on a school day – November / after reviewing - Exposure to test through teacher led ACT bell ringer activities

weekly in all core classes - Discussions in homeroom - Discussions at parent events like College and Career Night - ACT practice sessions after school through teaching staff - Explore- ACT ASPIRE testing results that were mailed home

What can my child do to improve ACT results?

See counselor - Take rigorous coursework – i.e. AP classes and core college prep

- Exposure to ACT materials (act.org) - Review Explore & ACT Aspire test results - Take ACT practice test and attend after-school sessions - Utilize free “Preparing for ACT” prep booklet *located in Student Support

Services - ACT on-line prep materials through act.org ($20/year) - ACT Prep Plus classes (series of 7 including practice test)-$140 - Other outside agencies (see counselor for details) - Re-take the assessment a number of times (at least twice) Pinpoint areas of improvement & get assistance Continue to take rigorous coursework

ACT Work Keys

0The ACT Work Keys test will be given to all Juniors on March 2nd

0Applications of Math and Reading

3 parts 0 Applied Mathematics

0 Locating Information

0 Reading for Information

0 Examples reviewed in HR or Core classes

ACT Work keys

0 Earn a “National Career Readiness Certificate”

0 Indicates you have the foundational workplace skills to succeed-shows capability for employment

WorkKeys Math Sample

0 This test measures mathematics skills related to success in the workplace

Example: You are a receptionist at a doctors office. A patient’s bill for a checkup totals $85.00. The patient’s health insurance requires the patient to pay 20% of the total bill. How much should the patient pay for the checkup? A. $4.25 B. $8.50 C. $17.00 D. $42.50 E. $68.00

WorkKeys Locating Information 0 This test measures skills in placing, finding, and applying

information taken from various types of graphics including, tables, forms, graphs, and diagrams.

Example: You work in the head office of a large company. A client calls from New York and wants to talk to the account

executive for that region.

Who should the client

talk to?

A. Alice Anderson

B. Lars Larson

C. Kelly Carney

D. Thurmond Salkick

E. Dan Elizondo

Sales Region Account Executives

States Assigned

East Central Alice Anderson 804/555-7834

DC, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia

Great Lakes Lars Larson 616/555-4506

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin

Midwest Kelly Carney 617/555/5309

Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas

Northeast Thurmond Salkick 715/888-5968

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

Southeast Dan Elizondo Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

What does my child need for testing day?

0 Calculator- ACT approved

0 #2 pencils

0 Good eraser

0 School ID

0 NO electronics – leave at home or locker

0 Dismissed and score not taken

0 Eat a good breakfast

Sign your child up!

Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)

September 12, 2015 August 7, 2015 August 8–21, 2015

October 24, 2015 September 18, 2015 September 19–October 2,

2015

December 12, 2015 November 6, 2015 November 7–20, 2015

February 6, 2016* January 8, 2016 January 9–15, 2016

April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016 March 5–18, 2016

June 11, 2016** May 6, 2016 May 7–20, 2016

Thank you for coming Please see your child’s school

counselor for questions