The state Department of Education this month is initiating an unprecedented move designed to better prepare students for post-high school success. Approximately 50,000 students in eighth through 11th grades will take the ACT College and Career Readiness. The nationwide testing date for the ACT assessment test for high school juniors will take place on Tuesday. All other grades will be taking their tests over a two-week window that also begin on the same date.
The state Department of Education this month is initiating an unprecedented move designed to better prepare students for post-high school success. Approximately 50,000 students in eighth through 11th grades will take the ACT College and Career Readiness. The nationwide testing date for the ACT assessment test for high school juniors will take place on Tuesday. All other grades will be taking their tests over a two-week window that also begin on the same date.
With the ACT College and Career Readiness System, the DOE for the first time, will be able to comprehensively collect and examine college and career readiness data in reading, mathematics, science and English.
“The DOE’s decision to administer the ACT College and Career Readiness System for all students in eighth through 11th grades is evidence of their strong commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success,” said Karen Lee, executive director of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education. “The data gathered from the assessments will be invaluable as we work together with institutions of higher education to reach the state’s goal of 55 percent of working age adults having a two- or four-year college degree in 2025.”
The tests for 11th graders will include all four of the areas, plus a writing section. The tests are designed to help students plan for future education opportunities and explore careers based on their skills, interests and ambitions.
Students in eighth and ninth grades will take the ACT EXPLORE; those in 10th grade will take the PLAN exam, and the ACT assessment in grade 11. The ACT College and Career Readiness System is benchmarked to both the expectations of higher education institutions and workforce.
EXPLORE serves as the entry measure of academic progress toward college and career readiness. It helps students understand and begin to explore the wide range of career options available.
PLAN is a midpoint assessment of academic progress toward college and career readiness. It’s a curriculum-based achievement test that measures college and career readiness, and is used for course placement as well.
The ACT aligns with Goal 1 of the DOE’s strategic plan. The plan calls for specific measurable targets and goals for student achievement. It builds on key strengths and reform initiatives to ensure all students graduate ready to succeed in college or careers.
In preparation for the tests, parents and students should be aware that each test is about four hours in duration. Cellphones of any type and some calculators are not permitted in the testing areas. A website, act.org/aap/hawaii, also provides more information about the testing.
To learn more about the DOE’s Strategic Plan and transformation in public education, visit: hawaiidoe.org/curriculum/strategicplan2011-2018/update/index.htm.