EXPLORE/PLAN/ACT -- Preparing for success in college and the workforce

In November we will be testing four of our grade levels using ACT's EPAS -Educational Planning and Assessment System. We will be giving our 8th graders the EXPLORE test on November 17 and 18. We use the test to help structure high school planning and career exploration. It also gives us another piece of information to help monitor academic progress. ACT has determined college benchmark standards to help determine if a student is on track to be prepared for entry level college coursework or career readiness. Too many students are not prepared for entry level coursework and end up taking remedial courses at the college level. Remedial courses cost the same as regular college classes but they don't count toward a student's degree. Some studies put the number as high as 2/3 of community college students that need to take remedial classes before they can start their studies. By implementing the EPAS system we are hoping that our students will have a clear understanding of what they need to work on academically before leaving CCHS.

On November 3rd we will be testing the 9th graders with their 2nd opportunity to take the EXPLORE. We will compare their scores to those they earned as 8th graders, looking for growth or areas of concern. The 10th graders will be taking a PLAN test. The PLAN is also used for planning and career exploration, it is also used to help predict success on the ACT. Our juniors will be taking a retired ACT and a practice writing sample. The information from the assessments will be shared with the students and their parents as soon as the results are available. I encourage all parents and students to spend time going through the reports from the EXPLORE and PLAN tests. If there is something that needs clarification, please don't hesitate to call and make an appointment to speak to a guidance counselor.

My thanks this week go to Jennifer. Jennifer is our science department coordinator for grades K-5. Last summer she coordinated our first Camp Invention. This gave our students an opportunity to spend a week using creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It was a huge success and it is due in large part to the efforts she put forth. Jennifer really cares about kids and she demonstrates that on a continual basis. I'm fortunate to get an opportunity to work along side such a professional educator. Thanks Jen for all that you do!

Thanks for reading
Tammy