ACT Data… Friend or Foe? OSCA ALL OHIO CONFERENCE November 5, 2009 Laura Beach, ACT Ann Bruce, Solon High School Wendy Dingman, Solon High School

Solon High School Suburban, diverse public high school located 18 miles outside of Cleveland 1850 students grades 9-12 Six counselors - each with alpha caseload of 325 students and specific duties

EXPLORE - all 9 th graders PLAN - all 10 th graders  Purpose  Prepare for ACT  Recognize/address academic strengths and weaknesses  Discover career interests  Cost  District pays for all students to test  Logistics  “Testing Morning” in November for all 9 th /10 th  11 th /12 th graders have late arrival  All staff assigned to administer/proctor  All classrooms available for testing “Pre-ACT” TESTING

Individual Student Conferences EVERY YEAR with EVERY STUDENT  Conference with Counselor: ◦ Review test score results ◦ Review scheduling for next academic year ◦ Complete/review four-year plan ◦ Review and guide college and career ideas  Finding the time… ◦ Priority ◦ Commitment ◦ Culture of the School Sharing Score Reports with Students

EXPLORE & PLAN RESULTS “Your Score Report” provided by ACT for each student Provides detailed information including: Test scores for each sub-test Estimated PLAN or ACT Score Range College readiness indication based on benchmark scores Self-reported academic and career plans Career possibilities based on career assessment Detailed skills report in each subject area

Estimated ACT Range College Readiness Composite and Sub-scores Career Guidance Specific Jobs in Career Areas

PLAN test results - Correct Answer - Your Answer - Subscore Area ex. Alg or Geometry - Unanswered questions Suggestions for improving skills based on student’s scores

Additional Resources using EXPLORE/PLAN: Your Score Report EXPLORE and PLAN Score Report Guides for Students Ohio Career Information System Solon Schools Guidance Webpage Links

How did we get started? Test & student results provided to MATH and ENGLISH departments English Department Chair: analyzed data presented areas of weakness to teachers modified English 10 curriculum to address needs Counselor attended ACT Workshop learned more about interpreting/using data ordered Item Response Summary Reports for departments Using Results with Teachers to Improve Curriculum

Item Response Summary Report EXAMPLE: EXPLORE Item Response Summary Report

 Overview of Assessments  Review of Reports  Collaboration with Colleagues  “Best Practices” in Ohio for Data Implementation  Round Table Discussion of Ideas  ACT Resources

 Counselor shared/interpreted with ENGLISH, MATH & SCIENCE Departments:  Copy of test booklets  Item Response Summary Reports  College Readiness Standards for each academic area  PLAN/EXPLORE test results for our students

 Counselor shared with Administrator information about Career Readiness Workshop  In attendance at workshop: 2 – Teacher leaders from English 1 – Department head from Math 2 – Teacher leaders from Science 1 – Counselor Additional Training Using PLAN/EXPLORE Data

Common Planning Time for Teachers Teachers reviewed the PLAN/EXPLORE tests, Item Response Summaries and released ACT tests Administrator & Teachers reviewed College Readiness Standards Teams planned curricular changes to fill gaps to improve learning and meet benchmarks Additional Training Using PLAN/EXPLORE Data

Additional Resources ACT Website Matching Ohio Standards to ACT College Readiness Standards Sample reports, Data Interpretation Guides, Testing Materials, Power Point Presentations College Readiness Standards and sample test questions “Connecting the College Readiness Standards to the Classroom” (/plan or /explore) Essay View

 Communication tool at PTA and Board Meetings  Comparison to other similar districts  Tool for students and parents to use in career/college search process  Recognition of student and faculty academic progress and achievement Using EXPLORE/PLAN Data at the District Level

This Power Point is posted: