Four Districts Test the Early Awareness Approach Using EXPLORE

College Readiness Begins Before High School

Getting ready for college needs to begin in earnest when students are in middle school. Middle school is the time when students begin to develop a personal study ethic or none at all. Additionally, eighth graders make decisions about whether or not to take tough courses as high school freshmen.

Did you know that eighth graders can find out if they are college ready (relatively speaking)? ACT, Inc. has an assessment system known as the Educational Planning and Assessment System (EPAS), which includes the well-known ACT. EPAS begins with EXPLORE an assessment nationally normed for eighth graders and tied to the Ohio Academic Learning Standards.

EXPLORE provides early information for students related to the College Readiness Benchmarks (also used for ACT) and career interests. ACT Inc.’s College Readiness Benchmarks, indicate the likelihood that a student will be successful in first year college level courses. Learning as early as the eighth grade that you are on track for college or have some work to do to become “ready” gives students a starting point and a target to shoot for while they have time to dig in and focus on their academics. Likewise, the data can help educators incorporate classroom supports that reinforce skills students need to master.

In December 2008, SEI convened a group of superintendents and college access providers for a presentation about EXPLORE. A discussion about the benefits for students, families, and educators followed. As a result, Akron Public Schools, Coventry Local Schools, Cuyahoga Falls City Schools and Tallmadge City Schools agreed to pilot EXPLORE in fall 2009 with their eighth graders. SEI will serve as the “district” receiving aggregate data on students from the four districts and will help to create a process for follow-up conversations with the students and their families about the results.

Additionally, middle and high school guidance personnel will have more information on students when working with them to develop their freshman high school schedules. The hope is that the data that are captured will make the transition from middle school to high school a more seamless and purposeful process for students, families, educators and administrators.

Additionally, middle and high school guidance personnel will have more information on students when working with them to develop their freshman high school schedules. The hope is that the data that are captured will make the transition from middle school to high school a more seamless and purposeful process for students, families, educators and administrators

Additionally, middle and high school guidance personnel will have more information on students when working with them to develop their freshman high school schedules. The hope is that the data that are captured will make the transition from middle school to high school a more seamless and purposeful process for students, families, educators and administrators

Additionally, middle and high school guidance personnel will have more information on students when working with them to develop their freshman high school schedules. The hope is that the data that are captured will make the transition from middle school to high school a more seamless and purposeful process for students, families, educators and administrators

Additionally, middle and high school guidance personnel will have more information on students when working with them to develop their freshman high school schedules. The hope is that the data that are captured will make the transition from middle school to high school a more seamless and purposeful process for students, families, educators and administrators

Additionally, middle and high school guidance personnel will have more information on students when working with them to develop their freshman high school schedules. The hope is that the data that are captured will make the transition from middle school to high school a more seamless and purposeful process for students, families, educators and administrators

Additionally, middle and high school guidance personnel will have more information on students when working with them to develop their freshman high school schedules. The hope is that the data that are captured will make the transition from middle school to high school a more seamless and purposeful process for students, families, educators and administrators

Additionally, middle and high school guidance personnel will have more information on students when working with them to develop their freshman high school schedules. The hope is that the data that are captured will make the transition from middle school to high school a more seamless and purposeful process for students, families, educators and administrators