College Readiness Seven Keys

MCPS Degree Attainment Compared to the Nation Class of 2001 Percentage of High School Graduates Earning a Bachelor Degree Within Six Years Source National Clearinghouse, April 1, 2009

How do AP Exams affect College Readiness?

Percentage of Graduates in MCPS Classes of 2001—2003 Earning a 4-Year Degree (Data available as of April 2009) Montgomery County Public Schools

College enrollment, persistence, and degree attainment for graduates in the MCPS Classes of 2001 – 2004 by AP Exam status at the end of Grade 12. % of Students

How does SAT/ACT affect College Readiness?

Key 7: 1650 SAT, 24 ACT College Degree Attainment Rates for MCPS Graduates Percentage of MCPS Students in the Class of 2001 Earning a Four-year Degree by Dec. 2008

MCPS Classes Students who scored 1100 or higher (on 1600 total) were less likely to be required to take a remedial class.

How does Algebra 2 affect College Readiness?

In MCPS, college degree attainment rates among students who completed Algebra 2 with a C or higher by grade 11 are more than three times those of students with lesser preparation. Completed Algebra 2 Did Not Complete Algebra 2

Why is College Readiness Important? College readiness = career readiness Today’s job growth is in areas that require college-level knowledge and skills. DHS expects all graduates to be prepared for postsecondary education and employment.

75% of the nation’s high school graduates enter college 50% of them are required to take at least 1 remedial course But only 33% of the students who are required to take a remedial course earn a 4 year degree

How Many Students Are Impacted? Of the 4000 students new to college who enrolled at MC in Fall 09: –32% placed at the Pre algebra level –20% placed at the Elementary Algebra level –15% placed at the Intermediate Algebra level 54% of all math coursesNearly 54% of all math courses at MC are developmental

Which Test Should a Student Take? 16 ACCUPLACER SAT ACT

What Should We Know about SAT, ACT, and ACCUPLACER? 17 SAT ACT ACCUPLACER College Application TestsCollege Placement Test

ACT and SAT 1.Content based on nation-wide HS curriculum survey ACT “measures academic achievement in the areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science.” SAT “measures critical reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning skills.” ACT

ACT and SAT 2.Highest Score is 36 ACT –One point for every correct item –Each section converted to a 36-point scale –Average of scale scores make up the composite score (out of 36) –Essay reported separately from composite score English/Writing Score Writing Score (out of 12) ACT

ACT and SAT sections ACT – 4 sections –English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning SAT – 10 sections –Critical Reading (3), Writing (3), Math (3), Experimental (1) SAT

ACT and SAT 4. Assesses content from Algebra II ACT SAT

ACT and SAT 5. Assesses content from Pre Calculus ACT Math –Includes trigonometry Pre-Algebra Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra Coordinate Geometry Plane Geometry Trigonometry 1 st Quarter, Pre Calculus ACT

ACT and SAT 6.Assesses grammar ACT English –Usage/Mechanics Punctuation, grammar & usage, sentence structure –Rhetorical Skills Writing strategy, organization, style SAT Writing –Grammar –Usage –Word choice ACT SAT

ACT and SAT 7. Reading Section consists of four 1-1½ page passages ACT Reading –Reading comprehension –Four passages Social science, humanities, prose fiction, and natural sciences SAT Reading –Reading comprehension –Sentence completion –Short and long passages ACT

ACT and SAT 8.Directly assesses vocabulary in context SAT –Vocabulary directly assessed in critical reading section ACT –Vocabulary is not directly assessed, but aids reading comprehension SAT

ACT and SAT 9. Reading score includes a social studies sub-score ACT Social Studies/Sciences subscore See ACT student score report for other subscores ACT

ACT and SAT 10.Assesses science reasoning ACT Science –Readings, charts, experiments ACT

ACT and SAT 11.Essay is required ACT – Optional essay –Topics “intended to reflect the interests and experiences of HS students” SAT – Essay –Range of topics include literature, art, sports, politics, technology, science, history, current events- SAT

ACT and SAT 12. Essay requires student to take a position Sample prompts on next two slides as a reference ACT SAT

ACT Essay In some high schools, many teachers and parents have encouraged the school to adopt a dress code that sets guidelines for what students can wear in the school building. Some teachers and parents support a dress code because they think it will improve the learning environment in the school. Other teachers and parents do not support a dress code because they think it restricts the individual student’s freedom of expression. In your opinion, should high schools adopt dress codes for students? In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one or the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific and examples to support your position.

SAT Essay Traditionally the term “heroism” has been applied to those who have braved physical danger to defend a cause or to protect others. But one of the most feared dangers people face is that of disapproval by their family, peers, or community. Sometimes acting courageously requires someone to speak out at the risk of such rejection. We should consider those who do so true heroes. Assignment: Should heroes be defined as people who say what they think when we ourselves lack the courage to say it? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on the issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

ACT and SAT 14.¼ point deduction for incorrect answers SAT

AccuplacerAccuplacer

What is the Accuplacer? The Accuplacer is a test widely used throughout the country and in all public Maryland colleges to appropriately place students in college courses. The Accuplacer is produced by College Board, the makers of the SAT, PSAT and AP exams.

How does the Accuplacer Work? It is a computer adaptive test. It has no time limit.

The DHS Statistics! 56% of MCPS graduates attend a class at MC within two years of graduation. Over 50% of the last 6 graduating classes at D.H.S. have taken a class at the M.C. Germantown campus within two years of graduation.

Why a College Test Now? Many high school students think that if they show up at a community college, they are automatically enrolled in college level classes. This is not true!

You Should Know! Large numbers of MCPS graduates spend the first semester, first year, and possibly longer, taking expensive remediation courses. One remediation course at Montgomery College costs approximately $400.00!

No College Credit Remediation or Developmental classes do not count as college credit, and do not transfer to four year institutions.

How Does My Child’s Reading Affect Their College Placement? Most classes at Montgomery College are –college level classes that will transfer to a 4 year institution, Or –developmental classes that do not earn transferable credit. These classes concentrate on building needed college level skills.

If your child’s reading is not at college level, here are some of the courses that he or she CANNOT take…….. General Psychology Introduction to Sociology English Composition General Biology College Mathematics Art History Introduction to Business Almost ALL college level courses

If your child’s reading is not at college level, here are some of the courses that he or she CAN take…….. Art Drawing Art Design Computer Graphics Physical Education Introduction to Dance (Courses that do not rely excessively on verbal skills.)

SAT Testing Dates Register: Test Date Registration Deadline –January 28 (DHS) Dec 30 (1/13 late) –March 10 February 10 (2/24 late) –May 5 (DHS) April 6 (4/20 late) –June 2 May 8 (5/22 late)

ACT Testing Dates Register: Test Date Registration Deadline –February 11 January 13 (1/20 late) –April 14 March 9 (3/23 late) –June 9 (DHS) May 4 (5/18 late)

ACCUPLACER TEST Montgomery College Placement Test - Can replace SAT or ACT - Available to 12 th grade students in October. (PSAT testing day) - Scored in Reading, Math, and English - Placement determined by scores - Key is 550 in each section for a total of 1650

Test Only WhenFully Prepared Test Only When Fully Prepared 46 Whether SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER

Test Only WhenFully Prepared Test Only When Fully Prepared 47 What is DHS doing?

Test Preparation 48 Encouraging students to take challenging courses Offering College Test Prep Course Offering Triumph Offering pull out review sessions Offering SAT/ACT Bootcamp Offering Mock ACT Test

Mock Test 49 Mock Test: November 15

Test Preparation 50 Test of “Best Fit”