New ACT course helps students prepare for exam

High

school juniors and seniors in the Hazelwood School District are

taking advantage of an opportunity to spend a semester preparing

for the ACT college entrance exam in a classroom setting with

guidance from English and math teachers.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>ACT Prep is a new course

offered at each high school in the District. Approximately 200

students at each school – Hazelwood Central, Hazelwood East and

Hazelwood West – are enrolled. The class focuses on content and

test-taking strategies in English, math, reading and science.

Students will work through exercises, take practice ACT tests, set

goals for scores and complete a research project. The class counts

as a .5 elective credit.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The ACT Prep course is

more in-depth and extensive,” said Cathy French, math learning

facilitator.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The curriculum for the

course, as well as teacher training, was created by Focus on

Learning.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Our teachers heard about

the curriculum at a conference and brought the information back to

the District,” said French. “Data shows the program is successful

in other school districts.”

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>JoAnne DuMont,

communication arts learning facilitator, said that during the first

week of class students took an actual ACT test released for

practice.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For example, in Michael

Dorsey’s ACT Prep class at Hazelwood Central High School, students

just finished a math practice test with 60 multiple choice

questions ranging from pre-algebra to pre-calculus and were

entering their scores with Activote, a Promethean device. The

Activote looks like a small remote control with a digital screen.

As scores are entered, the data is saved in a software

program.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>A chart on a screen

showed the range of scores for the test from a low of 1 to a high

score of 36. Dorsey worked with the class to answer questions and

explain the scoring scale.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“As students take the

practice tests, they’ll record the answers on a scan card and then

enter their answers using Activote. To track progress, the data is

saved and teachers and students can compare results as testing

continues. Students will know which areas of the test they need to

work on and can set goals,” said DuMont.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The class teaches

students strategies to improve their scores and emphasizes content

to strengthen their knowledge. They will find out what they need to

know before they take the ACT,” said French.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Daron Allison, a senior

at Hazelwood Central, said that his counselor enrolled him in the

class.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I want to make sure I

have the tools to get a good score on the test,” said Allison. He

wants to study drama in college.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In Amy Shelton’s ACT Prep

class, students were entering their scores from a 75-question

English test.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Since the class began,

Shelton has noticed her student’s interest level change.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“For many students, this

class is a reality check. Many are seeing, for the first time, the

importance of ACT scores. The interest level is high because they

now understand the impact their scores have on their future,” said

Shelton.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>By the end of the class,

Shelton wants her students to understand the content area material

and to use the test-taking strategies learned to help them “reach

their goals for education after high school.”

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Shelton

thinks the

course is a good opportunity.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“This class offers

students the chance to self-assess and to set individual goals. It

also allows for individual instruction so students can reach their

full potential.”

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The ACT Prep course

requires a research project. Students will research colleges of

interest, to include admission requirements, ACT scores,

scholarships associated with ACT scores and GPAs, as well as

summarizing strategies learned from the class.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>DuMont

explained

that the District’s expectation for the course is “to raise ACT

scores and increase the number of students who take the

exam.”

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Teachers will encourage

students to take the ACT after completing the course, but students

can take the test whenever they choose. There are six national test

dates scheduled from September through June.

“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>HSD will continue to

offer ACT workshops after-school and on select Saturdays to help

students prepare for the exam. The six-hour workshops include

Content Review, which focuses on math, science and English, and

Test-Taking Strategies. Students must sign up for the sessions in

the Guidance office. There is a $10 fee for Content Review, which

includes workbooks for English and math.