Understanding Your Child’s EXPLORE ® Results Preparing them for a World of Possibilities In High School and Beyond!

8th/9th Grade Score Scale: 1—25 8th/9th Grade Score Scale: 1—25 10th Grade Score Scale: 1—32 10th Grade Score Scale: 1—32 11th–12th Grade Score Scale: 1—36 11th–12th Grade Score Scale: 1—36 English, math, reading, science, optional Writing Test (ACT only) Career and Educational Components What is the EXPLORE? It is part of ACT’s College and Career Readiness System The College Readiness System is a comprehensive program intended to help assist schools and districts in preparing every student for college and a career. The system is a fully aligned curriculum and research-based solution. 2

Why take the EXPLORE?  EXPLORE shows your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses in English, mathematics, reading, and science.  EXPLORE helps your child search for careers and learn which ones might be right for them.  EXPLORE helps your child choose high school courses that will prepare them for college and work.

Basic Competency Skills Reading Comprehension Skills must be solidified to begin developing advanced competency by 3 rd grade. Math Numeracy Skills must be solidified to begin developing advanced competency by 5 th grade. 8 th grade results are the best early predictor of College and Career Readiness by high school graduation.

The Forgotten Middle (ACT Report) Fewer than two in ten 8 th graders are on target for college- level work by the time they graduate high school. The level of academic achievement that students attain by 8 th grade has a larger impact on their college and career readiness by the time they graduate high school than what happens academically in high school. Failing an 8 th grade course is a strong predictor of dropping out of high school, (ACT) findings suggest that two academic behaviors have a substantial impact on whether a course is failed in 8 th grade: academic discipline (good work, study habits, consistently completing work) and orderly conduct.

EXPLORE Results will help your child: See what their academic skills are right now, and how they can improve them. Know if they are on track to be college ready. Think about careers. It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning!

High School ACT Results for Arizona 2014 – Ranked 46th 55% of graduating seniors took the ACT in % of those taking the test could not meet the benchmark in any of the four tested areas. Only 21% of those taking the test could meet benchmark in all four tested areas.

Arizona Statistics ACT results show that for students who need to take 2 or more remediation course in college – only 25% completed their college education. Pre-requisite skills needed for college and/or trade schools are the same. Statistics from Expect More Arizona.org: 68% of all jobs in Arizona will require postsecondary education or training by % of Arizona’s adults (ages 25-64) have an associate’s degree or greater 25% of Arizona students do not graduate from high school with their class 72% of 4th & 8th graders are not proficient in reading 49th – Arizona’s ranking in the percentage of children going to preschool. ExpectmoreArizona.org

SAT Comparison 36.4% of graduating seniors took the SAT Of these students, 48.5% met benchmark overall Benchmark was a 50 th percentile of: Critical Reading (AZ avg. score) Mathematics (AZ avg. score) Writing (AZ avg. score) Mississippi outscored Arizona on every test. But we beat Texas! Midwestern states typically score highest on the SAT.

ATA Performance

Materials For This Session

Additional Materials

Subject Number of Questions How Long It Takes English4030 minutes Math3030 minutes Reading3030 minutes Science2830 minutes What's the test like? EXPLORE includes four multiple-choice tests covering English, mathematics, reading, and science (the same subjects covered by the ACT test). EXPLORE also includes a 72 item interest inventory that asks questions about the types of work tasks your student would or would not like to do.

EXPLORE Score Report Side 1

Student/School Information

TestCollege Course 8 th grade 10 th grade PLAN 11 th grade ACT EXPLORE EnglishEnglish Composition MathAlgebra ReadingSocial Sciences ScienceBiology % chance of achieving a B or higher or about a 75% chance of achieving a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college course College Readiness benchmarks What do they mean?

EXPLORE Score Report Side 2

Your Child’s Estimated PLAN ® Composite Score Range

Your Child’s High School Course Plans Compared to Core

Student Scores

“on the cusp” Students who score two points below or two points above benchmark are considered “on the cusp”…. These students are most vulnerable to slipping in their scores or falling behind For those students who are likely to be distracted by the activities of high school and “teenage” life, this margin of error may be too small.

College Readiness

Areas in Which Your Child Would Like Additional Help

Your Child’s Plans for After High School

“The choice of a vocation is an expression of personality” 72 interest inventory questions generate scores associated with theory: Realistic - practical, physical, hands-on, tool-oriented Investigative - analytical, intellectual, scientific, explorative Artistic - creative, original, independent, chaotic Social - cooperative, supporting, helping, healing/nurturing Enterprising - competitive environments, leadership, persuading Conventional - detail-oriented, organizing, clerical Interest Inventory & The Holland Codes Interest Inventory & The Holland Codes 25

Career Possibilities

Why Think About College Now ?

Four Steps to Success

What does college cost?

What is a PreECAP? Please look for your student’s PreECAP – Parents, please review this with your child and return to the school with your signature.

 Explore the many career options available and think about how their career choices will affect their future.  Set career goals and develop an educational plan to achieve them.  Students should take challenging college prep courses in high school. Keys to Good Educational and Career Planning

Think about what they have learned about themselves from the EXPLORE Results. Study hard and take the right courses in high school. Ask for help when they need it, from teachers, counselors and parents. Remember every day in school and every test they take is important for their future – They should always do their best! Your Child should now:

Check out EXPECT MORE ARIZONA Website for Parent Resources along with the College and Career Planning Guide.

Additional Resources MiddleSummary.pdf MiddleSummary.pdf