1. NAU GEAR UP Webinar on the Administration of ACT Explore
Randy Palmatier
ACT
Director - Client Relations
Ann Connelly
NAU/GEAR UP
EXPLORE Manager
Ann

2. ACT Explore Administration Webinar
Welcome and Introductions
Participation Instructions
What We Will Cover
How Questions Will Be Addressed
Future Viewing
ACT Resources and Contacts
Lets Get Started!
Randy

3. ACT Explore
reference materials that will be very helpful to you during and after the webinar
Randy

4. Randy

5. ACT Explore Policies and Procedures
ACT Explore is a standardized test.
This manual details directions for administering EXPLORE in a standardized way which will benefit you and your students.
Randy

6. Pre-Test Activities
Randy

7. Testing Materials You will receive:
Test Supervisor’s Manual (1 per 20 students)
“Why Take ACT Explore?” Handouts
Available in Spanish
Instructions for Completing Your Answer Folder
Test Booklets
Answer Folders
School Header
USPS Postage Prepaid Return Envelopes
Randy

8. Take the time to read and understand the Test Supervisor’s Manual
Randy

9. Randy
This is located on Page 62 of the supervisor’s manual and just a sample of the activities you need to be prepared to do

10. Additional Testing Considerations and Pre-Planning
Arrangements for test administration
Proctors one per room or as needed if you are testing in more than one room
Bell schedules
Calculators Permitted/Prohibited (pg. 9 Supervisor’s Manual)
Randy

11. Additional Testing Considerations and Pre-Planning Cont.
Pre-ID labels
Must be applied to page 1 of ACT Explore answer folder BEFORE the test
for students who do not have a Pre-ID label, please have them bubble their answer sheets to include all the fields that the Pre-ID requires.
Ensure that Answer folders/test booklets are properly sorted in advance by class to ensure efficient and accurate distribution
Ensure students names are on their test booklets as well as their answer sheets
Recommend entering Special Status Codes ( SPED,LEP) on Answer folder when pre-ID Labels are applied
(pgs Test Supervisor’s Manual)
Randy
Emphasize The names on their test booklets as well as their answer sheets.
If they don’t have a Pre ID Label for a student, try to have them filled out by the administrator before the test day.

12. Review and familiarize yourselves with the steps and instructions for completing the Answer Folder
Randy

13. All Districts Will Use Pre-ID labels
This should be completed by your District Liaison already!
Please ensure that your district/school has ordered Pre-ID labels as detailed in the instructions found on the ACT Pre-ID website:
For more information regarding ordering of test materials or Pre-ID labels, please contact ACT Customer Services at:
EXPLORE
Randy

14. Randy

15. Pre-ID Label (Barcode) Instructions
Randy
Instructions for Completing Your Answer Folder – Page 3

16. Pre-ID Label Instructions for Students
Randy
Instructions for Completing Your Answer Folder – Page 3

17. ACT Explore Test Supervisor’s Manual
Accommodations
Accommodations are determined by the school/district for students that ordinarily use the following to support their learning: (these materials were ordered based on your EXPLORE commitment form/order form.)
Large Print
Braille
Audio DVD
Reader’s Script
Pgs.14-18
ACT Explore Test Supervisor’s Manual
Randy

18. Testing Environment
Prepare testing room(s); gain support to create quiet hallways in the area where testing will take place.
Avoid auditoriums and cafeterias
Testing supervisors and room supervisors must prepare properly (read and simulate your test day needs)
Proctor – optional dependent on # of students
Stop watch or interval timer
Extra #2 pencils, erasers, and a pencil sharpener
Scratch paper
Account for all testing materials
Provide roster of students assigned to each test room
Randy

19. Preparing Students Send home “Why Take ACT Explore?”
Schedule a pre-test session for non-cognitive
Benefits of ACT Explore
Career exploration
Planning high school courses
Preparing for college
Brief career discussion
Brief explanation about interest inventories
Randy

20. Preparing Students (Continued)
Review with staff and students the
ACT Explore Guidelines
Unauthorized Testing Aids
Questions/Guessing
Rest Periods
Leaving the Room During Testing
Announcement of Time Remaining
Electronic Devices
What Constitutes a “Test Irregularity” during testing
Randy
Refer to Supervisor’s Manual for additional guidance pgs

21. Administration Activities
Randy

22. Day of Testing What do the Students Need? Pencils & Erasers
Calculators? (pg. 9 Supervisor’s Manual)
Instructions for Completing your Answer Folder
Instructions for Completing the Supplemental Questions required by NAU.
Answer Folder (with assigned Pre-ID Label)
Test Booklet (make certain students write their full name on the test booklet cover)
Randy

23. Instructions and Procedural Testing Sequence
Student Information Section
Randy
Pgs
Pgs. 3-5

24. Instructions and Procedural Testing Sequence (cont.)
Pg. 30 Use Option 3 for Pre ID Label users
Pg. 33 Instructions for Academic Tests
Test 1 English
Test 2 Math
Test 3 Reading
Test 4 Science
Pgs Disposition of Answer Folders and Test Materials
Pg. 65 Testing Irregularity Report
Pg. 63 Room Supervisor Comments
Randy

25. Administration of Non-cognitive Information
ACT Explore - Part 1
Non-cognitive (45-60 minutes – must be completed prior to testing)
Student Information
Plans and Background
Needs Assessment
Supplemental Local Items
(located on NAU Website)
UNIACT Interest Inventory
72 Questions
Randy
Supervisor’s Manual - Pgs

26. Administration
ACT Explore Part 1
Non-cognitive (45-60 minutes may be completed prior to the tests)
Student Information
Plans and Background
Needs Assessment
UNIACT Interest Inventory
72 Questions
Supplemental Questions
Randy
Pg. 6-7

27. Academic Test Administration
ACT Explore Part 2
Academic Sections (120 min)
English 40 Items (30 min)
Math 30 Items (30 min)
Calculators Allowed
Break (5-10 min)
Reading 30 Items (30 min)
Science 28 Items (30 min)
Students Must Complete All Sections
Randy
Emphasize the importance of completing the Supplemental Local Items. They will need to make copies for each student.
Pgs

28. ACT Explore Answer Folders
Although Pre-ID labels will be used, it is still important for students to complete the following blocks:
E, F, J, K, L and Block M (Supplemental questions supplied by NAU)
Blocks to Ignore:
A, B, D, G, H, I, N, O, P, Q, R, and S
Block to be filled in after test booklets are distributed: K
Randy 28

29. Important Reminder! Block M:
Supplemental
Local Questions
Provides School specific
data on your students
You will need to make copies for each student
Ann

30. Instructions
For Non-Cognitive Section: Read instructions aloud to students (Use Option #3 in Test Supervisor’s Manual on pg. 30).
For Academic Sections: Read aloud instructions from Supervisor’s Manual (beginning on pg. 33), as students read along in their answer folders.
For Section M: Read Directions for Block M EXPLORE Supplemental Local Items – You will need to make copies of the Supplemental Local Items for each Student.
Randy

31. Post-testing Activities for Test Supervisor
Randy

32. What To Do Once Testing is Over
Post-Testing Process
What To Do Once Testing is Over
Collect Answer Folders
Ensure that each student has marked the correct test form code in block “K” at the bottom of page 1.
Ensure student information is entered/bubbled in correctly.
Ensure pencil marks are complete. (no stray marks)
Collect, Check, (for name),and Store Test Booklets for Redistribution
Students should write first and last name on test booklet to ensure appropriate return of Test booklets to the original student users.
Ensure you store these test booklets in a secure location for later to be distributed to students with test results
Extra test booklets (unused) save and store in a secure location for use once test results are returned.
Randy
Emphasize that they will need to Store TEST BOOKLETS for Redistribution

33. School Headers Fill Out School Header
Pre-printed label will be on header
Make sure or correctly enter your three-digit contract/cycle code (203) in block “K”.
Randy

34. EXPLORE Test Supervisor’s Manual
Returning Answer Folders for Scoring
Mail all answer folders (standard, make-up, accommodation testing) together.
Place your school header on top of your stack of answer folders in your first envelope.
If you have testing irregularities fill out the Testing Irregularity Reports and place the report(s) in the first envelope of answer folders.
If you are submitting a large number of answer folders for scoring, try and use a single box rather than multiple envelopes to ensure all materials arrive at the ACT scoring center together.
If you need to ship more than one box, please number them (1 of 3), (2 of 3), etc…
Randy
Pgs
EXPLORE Test Supervisor’s Manual

35. Post-testing Activity
Mailing Answer Folders for Scoring
Place Answer Folders in ACT Pre-Paid Envelope(s)
Each School Mails in Answer Folders to ACT
Allow 3 Weeks for School Level Reports and Student Score Reports to Arrive
Randy

36. EXPLORE Test Supervisor’s Manual
Reporting Package
Schools will receive:
Reports and Supporting Materials
Student Score Reports
Student Score Labels
Using Your EXPLORE Results
Roster of Student Records
Profile Summary Report by School
Presentation Packet
Item Response Summary Report
Early Intervention Rosters
Data File CD
Districts will receive:
Profile Summary Report by District
Item Response Summary Report by District
District Data File CD
Copies of School Profile Summary Reports
Randy
Pgs.51-56
EXPLORE Test Supervisor’s Manual 36

37. Additional Resources ACT Explore Student Website
Materials for Educators
ACT Website
ACT Explore Arizona Program Website
Randy

38. What’s Next
Ann

39. Data Interpretation Workshops
ACT and NAU GEAR UP will hold 2 types of Data Interpretation Workshops this year:
Option A:
ACT EXPLORE Refresher Webinar
– December 10, 2014(prior participants only)
Option B:
ACT EXPLORE Regional Workshops
– January 2015 (all new participants)
Ann

40. OPTION A: ACT Explore Refresher Webinar December 10, 2014 Webinar
This webinar is REQUIRED for any District Liaison and & CC Coach who:
A: participated in an ACT Explore Regional Workshop (ACT Explore) last January,
AND
B: plans to conduct the required post-assessment activities with students and parents before the January 2015 ACT Explore Workshops).
Ann

41. ACT Explore Refresher Webinar
Webinar will cover:
Provide updated PowerPoints for Student and Parent Sessions
College and Career Planning Guides and PreECAPS
Final Reports
Student Score Report
Profile Summary Report
Item-Response Summary Report
Early Intervention Rosters
College Readiness Standards and Benchmarks
Rigorous core courses and their impact
What to do next with the data
Ann

42. Option B: ACT Explore Regional Workshops January 2015 Locations and dates TBD
Participation in one of these regional workshops is REQUIRED for any District Liaison or CC Coach who did not participate in an ACT Explore Regional Workshop last January – in other words, is your first year as a Liaison or Coach. Either Prior or New participants are welcome to attend.
Ann

43. ACT Explore Regional Workshops
Workshops will cover:
Helping Students and Parents Understand, Use and Act on EXPLORE Results (PowerPoints and use of Materials)
College and Career Planning Guides and PreECAP’s
Final Reporting Guide/Final Reports for NAU/GEAR UP
Student Score Report
Profile Summary Report
Item-Response Summary Report
Early Intervention Rosters
Many other resources to help your students
College Readiness Standards and Benchmarks
Rigorous core courses and their impact
What to do next with the data
Ann

44. Ordering College and Career Planning Guides and PreECAPS

45. Each College and Career Coach will Order ACT Explore Student Materials for their schools at the Expect More Arizona website:
Ann

46. PowerPoint for Student Session
Ann

47. PowerPoint for Parent Sessions (English and Spanish)
Ann

48. Instructions for how to access and or share this presentation/workshop
Website URL: Ann will send the recorded link out at the conclusion of the Webinar
Webinar and PowerPoint will also be available on the NAU EXPLORE Website:
Ann

49. For Additional Information:
Ann Connelly
Ann

50. Questions?
Greg