Finding the Devil in the Details

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Finding the Devil in the Details
Using ACT Data to Make Sound Decisions
Columbia, SC November 20, 2007
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Contact Me

• Carl Forbes
• carl.forbes_at_act.org
• ACT, Inc.
• East Region Atlanta Office
• 3355 Lenox Rd NE Suite 320
• Atlanta, GA 30326
• 404.231.1952

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Why Do We Test?

• To gather data
• To show what we know
• To measure the level of knowledge of the test
  takers
• To measure our teachers success
• To measure program effectiveness
• To determine our next move?

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Formative Assessment

• Carol Boston tells us
• While many educators are highly focused on state
  tests, it is important to consider that over the
  course of a year, teachers can build in many
  opportunities to assess how students are learning
  and then use this information to make beneficial
  changes in instruction. This diagnostic use of
  assessment to provide feedback to teachers and
  students over the course of instruction is called
  formative assessment.
• Formative Assessment stands in contrast to
  summative assessment, which generally takes place
  after a period of instruction and requires making
  a judgment about the learning that has occurred
  (e.g., by grading or scoring a test or paper).
  This article addresses the benefits of formative
  assessment and provides examples and resources to
  support its implementation.

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EPAS - Educational Planning and Assessment System

• EXPLORE - 8th or 9th
• PLAN - 10th
• ACT - 11th or 12th

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Guiding Principles of EPAS

• The EPAS tests are achievement tests. They test
  a students current level of knowledge and
  skills.
• The items on the tests relate to knowledge and
  skills being taught in middle and high school
  classrooms.

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Guiding Principles of EPAS

• The EPAS tests are written and normed
  specifically for the intended grade levels and
  are developmentally appropriate.
• The EPAS tests are aligned with state standards
  and national curriculum studies.

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UNIACT Interest Inventory

• 72-item unisex interest inventory of
  work-relevant activities
• Identifies career options for exploration
• Results shown on ACTs World-of-Work Map
• Included at no extra charge

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Improving Student Performance
College Readiness Standards
The Standards refer to the knowledge and skills
students are likely to demonstrate at various
score levels on each academic test.
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• ACT Assessment College Readiness
  Benchmarks
• Through collaborative research with postsecondary
  institutions nationwide, ACT has established the
  following college readiness benchmarks
• College English Composition 18 on ACT English
  Test
• College Algebra 22 on ACT Mathematics Test
• College Social Sciences 21 on ACT Reading Test
• College Biology 24 on ACT Science Test
• A benchmark score is the minimum score needed to
  indicate a 50 chance of obtaining a B or higher
  or about a 75 chance of obtaining a C or higher
  in the corresponding credit-bearing college
  course.

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EXPLORE and PLAN
College-Readiness Benchmarks

• The EXPLORE and PLAN college-readiness benchmarks
  are based on the ACT Assessment college-readiness
  benchmarks and on students expected growth from
  one EPAS test to the next.

Test Score Needed
Test - College Course
EXPLORE PLAN ACT
13 15 18
English - College English Comp
17 19 22 15 17 21
Math - College Algebra Reading - College Social
Sciences
20 21 24
Science - College Biology
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EXPLORE, PLAN, and ACT
Interpreting and Using Test Results
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EXPLORE
EXPLORE Student Report
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EXPLORE
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EXPLORE
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EXPLORE
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EXPLORE
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EXPLORE
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EXPLORE
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Using Your EXPLORE Results
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PLAN
PLAN Student Report
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PLAN
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PLAN
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PLAN
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PLAN
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PLAN
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PLAN
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PLAN
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EXPLORE
EXPLORE School Reports
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School Profile Summary
(Includes option for 12 local items)
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Presentation Packet
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Early Intervention Rosters
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PLAN
PLAN School Reports
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PLAN
School Profile Summary
(Includes option for 12 local items)
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PLAN
Presentation Packet
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PLAN
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PLAN
Early Intervention Rosters
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PLAN
Item Response Summary Report
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In 2008-09, this will be available for EXPLORE
PLAN
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PLAN/ACT Linkage Report
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Call 800-553-6244, x1245 for your code.
ACT Assessment
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www.actstudent.org
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A new classroom/ delivery enhancement Program
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• Based on empirical research on high-performing
  classrooms
• Instructional improvement program
• Designed to ensure core courses
• Are rigorous
• Focus on the most essential skills
• Prepare students for the next step after high
  school

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• Allows educators to monitor and improve the rigor
  and consistency of courses
• Provides research-based teacher resources to
  improve outcomes

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• QualityCore includes
• End-of-course (EOC) assessments
• Teacher resource materials including a Course
  Description with Syllabus, Course Objectives, and
  Test Blueprint
• Formative item pools for benchmark assessments

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QualityCore vs. AP

• The most appropriate and motivated students are
  encouraged to enroll in Advanced Placement
  courses.
• AP courses and exams adhere to high academic
  disciplinary standards for proficiency and
  excellence.
• Quality of courses is controlled NATIONWIDE

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• What about all of the other students?

What about all the other courses?
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ACT is your partner...

• The role of standardized testing is to let
  parents, students, and institutions know what
  students are ready to learn next.
• - Ralph Tyler, Chairman Emeritus of ACTs
  Board of Trustees, October 1991
• The examination should describe the student in
  meaningful terms--meaningful to the student, the
  parent, and the elementary and high school
  teacher--meaningful in the sense that the profile
  scores correspond to recognizable school
  activities, and directly suggest appropriate
  distributions of emphasis in learning and
  teaching.
• E. F. Lindquist, February 1958,
  Co-founder of ACT