ACT/PSAE College Readiness Getting On Track for College Dr. Camilla Covington-Principal Dr. Camilla Covington-Principal Dunbar Vocational Career Academy (D.V.C.A.) High School

What Does It All Mean? Composition 180 Composition 180 Mathematics 099 Mathematics 099 Reading Enrichment 117 Reading Enrichment 117 What does it all mean to What does it all mean to an incoming freshman? But all of the above are remedial courses- no college credit….

The Facts 90% of CPS graduates who enroll in mathematics courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago start in REMEDIAL math. 90% of CPS graduates who enroll in mathematics courses at the University of Illinois at Chicago start in REMEDIAL math. Even CPS graduates who enter the city college system score so poorly that they too must begin on the REMEDIAL level. Even CPS graduates who enter the city college system score so poorly that they too must begin on the REMEDIAL level.

The Impact of Starting on the Remedial Level No college credit for remedial courses No college credit for remedial courses Paying college prices for high school courses Paying college prices for high school courses Automatically on a five or more year plan Automatically on a five or more year plan Scholarship and grant money running out before a degree is earned Scholarship and grant money running out before a degree is earned Student discouragement Student discouragement More college dropouts More college dropouts

College Access Standardized testing is the gatekeeper to Standardized testing is the gatekeeper to post-secondary educational opportunities post-secondary educational opportunities

College Readiness Chicago Public Schools purchased the EPAS testing system from American College Testing (ACT) to help students break through the barriers to post-secondary education. Chicago Public Schools purchased the EPAS testing system from American College Testing (ACT) to help students break through the barriers to post-secondary education. E ducation, P lanning & A ssessment S ystem (EXPLORE, PLAN & ACT) (EXPLORE, PLAN & ACT)

College Readiness Standards College Readiness Standards are a revision of the Standards for Transition. College Readiness Standards are a revision of the Standards for Transition. The College Readiness Standards are statements intended to help students, teachers, and parents understand the meaning of EPAS scores. The College Readiness Standards are statements intended to help students, teachers, and parents understand the meaning of EPAS scores. They explain the skills a student has mastered and indicate what he is now prepared to learn. They explain the skills a student has mastered and indicate what he is now prepared to learn.

College Readiness Benchmarks Help students, teachers and parents know if students are on track to be able to take true college courses their freshman year. Help students, teachers and parents know if students are on track to be able to take true college courses their freshman year.

EXPLORE and PLAN College Readiness Benchmark scores College course/ACT, PLAN or EXPLORE Subject Area Test ACTPLANEXPLORE English Composition/English Algebra/ Mathematics Social Science/Reading Social Science/Reading Biology/Science Composite Based upon a student’s expected growth

College Readiness Now students can know from their freshman year if they are on track for college courses. Now students can know from their freshman year if they are on track for college courses. They can assess their progress year to year to determine if they are excelling at the proper rate. They can assess their progress year to year to determine if they are excelling at the proper rate. They, along with their teachers, can make adjustments while there is still time to make an impact. They, along with their teachers, can make adjustments while there is still time to make an impact.

How Teachers Can Help Become familiar with the College Readiness Standards Become familiar with the College Readiness Standards Incorporate the skills indicated to improve overall rigor of courses Incorporate the skills indicated to improve overall rigor of courses Inform students of what it means to be ready for college courses. Inform students of what it means to be ready for college courses.

How Students Can Help Become familiar with the College Readiness Standards. Become familiar with the College Readiness Standards. Take education seriously. Strive to learn all you can. Take education seriously. Strive to learn all you can. Take the EXPLORE, PLAN, PLAN and ACT cycle of testing. Take the EXPLORE, PLAN, PLAN and ACT cycle of testing. Keep a record of your scores and progress. Keep a record of your scores and progress.