act and me - guidance counselor presentation

ACT and MeACT and Me

Understanding the Score ReportUnderstanding the Score Report

Understanding the Score ReportUnderstanding the Score Report

Over 300 points of data on each student Cognitive Data Non-Cognitive Data

Cognitive DataCognitive Data

Understanding the data you receive:Understanding the data you receive:Cognitive DataCognitive Data

- The ACT is a curriculum-based assessment

- Tests students in core subject areas of English, mathematics reading and science

- Assesses student proficiencies in these subject areas

- Informs and affects more than recruitment strategies

More than just a score!

ACT National Curriculum Survey

ACT College Readiness Standards


ACT National Curriculum Survey Survey middle, high school and postsecondary educators Determine faculty expectations in English, math, reading

and science – then compare these to actual teaching and rigor practices as they tie to college readiness

Survey is basis and foundation for EPAS Tests and promotes college readiness Standards are not opinions, but facts based on survey

and research


ACT College Readiness Standards Narrative description of what students need to know and

be able to do Reflect a common continuum of achievement Progressive model of student progress from middle to

high school Reflect student strengths/weaknesses evaluate student

readiness for next levels of learning


Without improving the quality and content of the core, it appears that most students need to take additional higher-level courses to learn what they should have learned from a rigorous core curriculum, with no guarantee even then that they will be prepared for college-level work.

ACT research suggests that students today do not have a reasonable chance of becoming ready for college unless they take additional higher-level courses beyond the minimum core, and even then they are not always likely to be ready for college. This finding is in part a reflection on the quality and intensity—the rigor—of the high school curriculum.

ACT Minimum Core

English: 4 years Social Studies: At least 3 yearsMathematics: At least 3 years Natural Sciences: At least 3 years


Readiness Benchmark Scores

Through collaborative research with postsecondary institutions nationwide, ACT has established the following College Readiness Benchmark Scores:

A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject area test 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 courses.

College Readiness Benchmark Score

English English Composition 18 Math Algebra 22 Reading Social Sciences 21 Science Biology 24

ACT SubjectArea Test

College Course(s)

Non-CognitiveNon-Cognitive

Non-Cognitive: Score Report Non-Cognitive: Score Report InformationInformation

Major/degree interests

Type of institution/interests Extracurricular activities In HS and for postsecondary

School choice/size

Needs (academic and otherwise)

Career Interests – World of Work Map

Integrating Data Into Your Integrating Data Into Your Counseling StrategyCounseling Strategy

Integrating Data Into Your Counseling Strategy

Integrating Cognitive Data Understanding Skills vs. Scores improves

communication with students Personalizes communications regarding

academic needs/strengths More informed academic and college counseling

process

Integrating Non-Cognitive Data Personalized communication which each student Promote institutional intervention, student

support services, career counseling geared toward student needs/interests/plans

Begin effective communication as early as first ACT Official Score Report

Integrating Data Into Your Counseling Strategy

Time of First Time TestingTime of First Time Testing

First Time TestingFirst Time Testing

When a student takes their first ACT has an impact on college access and enrollment

The later a student takes their first test, the less access they have to the college admissions pipeline

First time test taking impacts all demographics, but has a greater impact on minorities

First-Time TestingFirst-Time Testing

Nationally – 60% of African-American and Hispanic students take their first ACT as Seniors Late testing limits access to postsecondary

institutions Schools are looking at yield and not building

prospect pool during student senior year

In IL, CO, MI, KY, TN, WY, ND – 100% of students take ACT in Spring of Junior year

Importance of Name Release for Importance of Name Release for ACT TestersACT Testers

Releasing Names for Postsecondary Releasing Names for Postsecondary AccessAccess

Entering the pipeline requires that students release their names and contact information for access by colleges/universities

Not releasing names limits access to important information for entry to postsecondary education

Most Important Factors for Effective Most Important Factors for Effective CounselingCounseling

More in-depth knowledge of skills – not just scores College Readiness Standards/Benchmarks Steer communication, intervention, students services

based on cognitive understanding

Effective personalized communication/counseling using non-cognitive data Connect institutional services with students interests and

needs

Most Important Factors for Effective CounselingMost Important Factors for Effective Counseling

Promoting early testing (Junior year) increases access for students and institutions to vital information/data

Students and Counselors need to understand importance of releasing names

Making sure students take the right courses!!!

Most Important Factors for Effective CounselingMost Important Factors for Effective Counseling

act and me - guidance counselor presentation

Education