EPAS Educational Planning and Assessment System By: Cindy Beals September 21, 2012

Educational Planning and Assessment System English, mathematics, reading, science College Readiness Standards ACT® EPAS is made up of a collection of programs and services. When used together, EPAS gives a system for planning for student success. Each program is “developmentally appropriate.” Each test question was written specifically for a beginning 8th grader (EXPLORE), a beginning 10th grader (PLAN), or a student at the end of their junior year (the ACT), assuming they have completed at least 3 years each of math, social studies, and natural science. Each program has a career planning component, using ACT’s UNIACT Interest Inventory. The interpretive booklets accompanying EXPLORE and PLAN have several activities to help students explore career options and plan coursework around those choices. When used in conjunction with the websites for students for all three programs, schools can develop extensive career planning activities. The College Readiness Standards are descriptors of the skills measured in small ranges of the scores on the EPAS tests. The skills are developmental and overlapping, so that a continuum of skills is measured over time. EPAS provides for the evaluation of curriculum and instructional methodology by matching student results from one program to the next using either student identifier numbers or social security numbers. In Kentucky, you will be using student numbers, not social security numbers. An example will be shown later this afternoon.

EPAS Scales Relationship 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 EXPLORE PLAN ACT 36 32 25 The ACT in its present format was introduced in 1989 on a scale of 1-36. PLAN was introduced in 1987 on a scale of 1-32. EXPLORE became fully operational in the early 1990s on a scale of 1-25. We had three tests that measured common skills in a common format, but we had three different score scales. To help educators better track their students academic development, we put PLAN on ACT’s score scale and EXPLORE on PLAN’s score scale. We did not but EXPLORE on ACT’s score scale. We can predict an ACT score from PLAN. We can predict a PLAN score from EXPLORE. But, we will not predict an ACT score from EXPLORE.

College Readiness Benchmark Scores College Course or Course Area Test EXPLORE PLAN ACT National Kentucky English Composition English 13 15 18 Social Sciences Reading 17 21 20 Algebra Math 19 22 Biology Science 24 College Readiness Benchmark Scores offer a different (and unrelated) measure of student success on EXPLORE, PLAN, or the ACT than that provided by National norms. Rather than comparing students’ test scores to that of other students, the Benchmark Scores compare student performance against a measure of college readiness. Students that meet Benchmark Scores are likely on track to be successful in an entry level college course in that subject area (provided students continue with a similar level of commitment to coursework and study habits). College Readiness Benchmark Scores can be used to help students understand the areas in which they need to improve to be prepared for college-level work. Benchmark scores offer a common language that can be used to help define “college readiness” Can be used to relate state standards to postsecondary expectations State-specific College Readiness Benchmarks can be identified Again, empirically derived based on student performance in college courses *The ACT Benchmark Score indicates a 50% chance of obtaining a “B” or a 75% chance of obtaining a “C” in corresponding credit-bearing college courses.

Achievement Tests EXPLORE English 40 items 30 minutes Mathematics 30 items 30 minutes Reading 30 items 30 minutes Science 28 items 30 minutes

Achievement Tests EXPLORE Other Components UNIACT Interest Inventory (72 items) Helps students explore personally relevant career options. Needs Assessment Collects information about students' perceived needs. Plans and Background Information Gathers information about students' school coursework plans, educational and career plans after high school, and other relevant information.

Achievement Tests EXPLORE EXPLORE shows you your academic strengths and weaknesses in English, math, reading, and science EXPLORE helps you search for careers and learn which ones might be right for you EXPLORE helps you choose high school courses that will prepare you for college and work

Achievement Tests PLAN English 50 items 30 minutes Mathematics 40 items 40 minutes Reading 25 items 20 minutes Science 30 items 25 minutes

Achievement Tests PLAN--English The PLAN English Test measures understanding of standard written English punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure (Usage/Mechanics) understanding of the use of strategy, organization, and style in writing (Rhetorical Skills). The test consists of four prose passages followed by multiple-choice questions. Students receive a total score for the English test and separate ("subscores") for Usage/Mechanics and Rhetorical Skills.

Achievement Tests PLAN--Math The PLAN Math Test measures mathematical reasoning. The test focuses on the ability to reason in math rather than on memorized formulas or ability to work involved computations. The skills tested are those learned in first- and second-year high school courses (pre-algebra, first-year algebra, and plane geometry). Most of the questions emphasize content presented before the second year of high school.

Achievement Tests PLAN--Reading The PLAN Reading Test measures reading comprehension by focusing on skills such as: referring to details in a passage drawing conclusions making comparisons and generalizations The test consists of three prose passages: one each in social sciences, humanities (literature, history, philosophy, etc.), and prose fiction. Each passage is followed by several multiple-choice questions. Students must use information provided in the passages to correctly answer all questions.

Achievement Tests PLAN--Science The PLAN Science Test measures scientific reasoning skills based on material that is typically taught in first- and second-year high school general science courses. The material includes topics in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, and meteorology. The test presents five sets of scientific information, using three formats: Data representation (two sets) Graphs, tables, diagrams, etc.   Research summaries format (two sets) Descriptions of several related experiments   Conflicting viewpoints format (one set) Two or more interpretations that are inconsistent with one another Multiple-choice questions which follow each set require students to understand the information provided examine critically the relationships between the information and the possible interpretations generalize from the information in order to draw conclusions or make predictions

Achievement Tests ACT English 75 questions 45 minutes Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills. Mathematics 60 questions 60 minutes Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12. Reading 40 questions 35 minutes Measures reading comprehension. Science 40 questions 35 minutes Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences

EPAS College/Career Readiness The greatest gift elementary students can receive from teachers is the guarantee of being proficient in reading before entering middle school. Students must be able to comprehend information to “think” and answer higher-order questions.

EXPLORE/ PLAN September 17-28

ACT March 5 & 19 Test dates are March 5th and 19th.