Focus: EVERY GRIFFIN

 Students in grades 9-11 take a series of rigorous and nationally comparable assessments, including EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT, and WorkKeys to assist in academic planning and to measure college and career readiness.  High schools earn points for student achievement on the ACT (25%) and End-of- Course tests (25%), the graduation index (25%) and the graduate cohort rate (25%). Schools may also earn points for significant improvement with students who are academically behind.

EXPLORE  Students in grade 9 take EXPLORE to aid in decision making regarding high school coursework and post secondary plans. The assessment contains four multiple choice tests covering the four core academic areas, English, mathematics, reading, and science. This test is scored on a scale of 0 to 25. PLAN  Students in grade 10 take PLAN in the four core academic areas to further assist in planning for post-secondary choices mid-way through high school. This test is scored on a scale of 0 to 32.

ACT  Students in grade 11 take the ACT, American College Test, which assesses the four core academic areas, English, mathematics, reading, and science, and serves as an indicator of college readiness. This test is widely used for college admission and is scored on a scale of 0 to 36.  Seniors wishing to re-take the ACT at DTHS are able to do so as well! This is a great opportunity for seniors to increase their scores.

WORKKEYS  WorkKeys is a career-readiness assessment measuring reading, math, and locating information as a way to build an understanding of how to improve skills and increase prospects for securing high-demand, high-wage jobs in today’s 21st century workplace.

 We are using the online Keytrain program to prepare students for Workkeys testing.  We are conferencing with all students who we plan to test via Workkeys so they understand why and are encouraged to do their best.  We are using Workkeys as an additional assessment for seniors who are not yet proficient on ACT (>18 composite.)  We are Workkeys testing all juniors who are working toward earning a Career Diploma.

 Our school goals include how we will increase our ACT scores.  Teachers create Individual Growth Goals for students based upon their ACT series scores (EXPLORE, PLAN, & ACT)  Admin.& Teachers create Student Learning Targets that are directly aligned to these Individual Growth Goals.  Teachers engage in Professional Development directly related to ACT.  Teachers use the PLC process to determine ACT-like rigor and to plan for student learning that includes ACT-like rigor.  Teachers engage students in ACT-like work within their content.

 We continually track Student Progress toward their ACT series goals.  We analyze the ACT-like student work in PLCs to figure out how to respond to students’ needs.  We administer practice EXPLORE, PLAN, and ACT tests prior to state testing.  We require/offer ACT prep classes.  Keytrain program is used in Career Awareness, ACT Prep, Senior Apps, SPED Resource, and Financial Math.

 Help us educate your children on the importance of the ACT Series tests.  Make sure they use online resources at home to also help prepare them for ACT (see next slide.)  Make sure our students get lots of rest the night before and eat a good breakfast the morning of ACT Series testing!

 ACT practice tests:  ACT vocabulary games and tests:  ACT and SAT test prep (Vocabulary)  ACT Reading Comprehension Practice tests: Comprehension-ACT-Practice-Tests.aspx  ACT Strategies for ELA, Math, Science, and Reading (this link also offers practice questions; however, the students will need to create a login) p