ACT COMPASS™ TESTING

HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH

BY CAROLYN M. KELLEY

SUPERVISOR COMPASS™ TESTING

College Tech Prep

• Hamilton

• Hughes (Zoo Academy)

• U S Grant

• Western Hills

• Woodward

• Taft

• Total 703 testing sessions

Purpose of High School Outreach

• Juniors– Wakeup call

– Remedial work to help raise scores

– Early college/scholarship planning

• Seniors– Test scores can be used for college admission

– Early admission to college • Schedule appointment with advisor• Financial • New student orientation

Prepare for High School Testing

• Teachers/Principals need to “buy in” to the idea

• Students need to know when/where/why they are testing

• Parents need to be informed of upcoming testing and testing results

• Computers– Reserve a computer room – Software installed– Test turned on/correct test selected

What is COMPASS™

• The ACT Computer-Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System (COMPASS) is a comprehensive assessment, advising, retention, and outcomes-oriented system of services. It was developed to help postsecondary institutions expand opportunities and increase the likelihood that entering students would achieve educational success and retention.

ACT COMPASS™ TEST

• Numerical Skills/Prealgebra– Students should be administered this test if they

have had a limited or an undetermined exposure to algebra, have performed poorly in previous algebra courses, or have not used their algebra training for a long time.

Numerical Skills/Prealgebra

TECH PREP‘09/’10

Domain Score Range Recommendation

63 Pre-Algebra ATB 0-25 DE 0020 Basic Math

216/0.439 Pre-AlgebraDomain 1

1-46 DE 0020 Basic Math

38 Pre-AlgebraDomain 1

47-99 DE 0024 Basic Algebra 1MAT 1161 Applied Algebra

Total Number of Math Test=491

ACT COMPASS™ TEST

• Algebra– Is most appropriate for students who have recently

completed a prealegra or basic algebra course and for students whose current level of performance suggests a lack of readiness for a college-level algebra course.

AlgebraTECH PREP

‘09/’10Domain Score Range Recommendation

1755/0.112

AlgebraDomain 2

1-23 DE 0024 Basic Algebra 1MAT 1161 Applied Algebra

192/0.391 AlgebraDomain 2

24-57 DE 0025 Basic Algebra 2MAT 1105 Science MathMAT 1108 Math for Food ServiceMAT 1121 Business Math 1MAT 1171 Tech Math 1

9/0.018 AlgebraDomain 2

58-65 MAT 1124 Business MathMAT 1151 Intermediate Algebra MAT 1171 Tech Math 1

5 AlgebraDomain 2

66-99 MAT 1111 Statistics 1MAT 1152 Pre-Calculus 1.MAT 1191 Alg & Trig 1

Total Number of Math Test=491

ACT COMPASS™ TEST

• College Algebra– Is most appropriate for students who have recently

demonstrated proficiency in intermediate algebra courses

College AlgebraTECH PREP

‘09/’10Domain Score Range Recommendation

27/0.014

College Algebra 1-45 MAT 1111 StatisticsMAT 1152 Pre-Calculus 1MAT 1191 Alg & Trig 1

2 College Algebra 46-99 MAT 1111 Statistics 1 or MAT 1153 Pre-Calculus 2MAT 1128 Business CalculusMAT 1173 Alg & Trig 2 with StatsMAT 1192 Alg & Trig 2

Total Number of Math Test=491

ACT COMPASS™ TEST

• Trigonometry– Assesses students’ understanding of trigonometric

concepts and their application in problem solving

TrigonometryTECH PREP

‘09/’10Domain Score Range Recommendation

68/0.016

Trigonometry 1-45 MAT 1111 Statistics 1 or MAT 1153 Pre-Calculus 2MAT 1128 Business CalculusMAT 1173 Alg & Trig 2 with StatsMAT 1192 Alg & Trig 2

4/0.008 Trigonometry 46-99 MAT 1154 Calculus 1MAT 1193 Analytical Geometry & Calculus

Total Number of Math Test=491

ACT COMPASS™ TEST

• Reading – Determine if the examinee has the reading skills

necessary to succeed in a standard entry-level college course

Reading

TECH PREP‘09/’10

Domain Score Range Recommendation

159 Reading ATB 1-62 DE 0010 College Reading 1

4 Reading 1-60 DE 0010 College Reading 1

180 Reading 61-80 DE 0011College Reading 2

161 Reading 81-99 No Developmental Classes Required

Total Number of Reading Tests=500

ACT COMPASS™ TEST

• Writing– Assess student abilities in categories of

usage/mechanics• Punctuation

• Basic grammar and usage

• Sentence structure

– Rhetorical skills• Strategy

• Organization

• Style

Writing

TECH PREP‘09/’10

Domain Score Range Recommendation

200 Writing ATB 1-32 DE 0003 Basic Writing 1

259 Writing 1-21 DE 0003 Basic Writing 1

150 Writing 22-54 DE 0004 Basic Writing 2

55 Writing 55-69 DE 0005 Basic Writing 3

153 Writing 70-99 ENG 1001English Composition 1

Total Number of Writing Tests=499

RETEST• Math

– 52% same level DE classes– 30% scores higher but still in DE classes– 17% tested out of DE

• Reading– 49% same level DE classes– 24% scored higher but still in DE classes– 27% tested out of DE

• Writing– 16% same level de classes– 38% scores higher but still in De classes– 47% tested out of DE

Reasons why student score low

• Students did not understand the value of testing

• They did not review sample questions prior to testing

• They were not informed they were taking the test

• They did not have adequate time to take the test

• Computer/Internet problems

• Physiological issues

Reasons why students scored low

• Psychological issues

• They rushed

• They did not read the directions

• They did not take the test seriously

• They may have taken algebra a few years ago