College College ReadinessReadiness

College College ReadinessReadiness

Seven KeysSeven Keys

MCPS Degree AttainmentCompared to the Nation

27.5%

49.6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Nation MCPS

Class of 2001

Percentage of High School Graduates Earning a Bachelor Degree Within Six Years

Source National Clearinghouse, April 1, 2009

How do AP Exams How do AP Exams affect College affect College

Readiness?Readiness?

How do AP Exams How do AP Exams affect College affect College

Readiness?Readiness?

Percentage of Graduates in MCPS Classes of 2001—2003 Earning a 4-Year Degree(Data available as of April 2009)

25.3

60.7

76.7

0

20

40

60

80

100

All Students

No AP Exam AP Exam Below 3 AP Exam 3 or Higher

Montgomery County Public Schools

9486

76

94

79

60

77

48

25

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

AP Exam Score of 3or Higher

AP Exam ScoreBelow 3

No AP Exam Score

Enrolled in College Stayed in College

Earned a Bachelor's Degree

College enrollment, persistence, and degree attainment for graduates in the MCPS Classes of 2001 – 2004 by AP Exam status at the end of Grade 12.

% o

f Stu

den

ts

How does SAT/ACT How does SAT/ACT affect College affect College

Readiness?Readiness?

How does SAT/ACT How does SAT/ACT affect College affect College

Readiness?Readiness?

43%9%

77%

0%

50%

100%

MCPSNo SAT/ACT SAT/ACT Below 1100/24 SAT/ACT Above 1100/24

Key 7: 1650 SAT, 24 ACTCollege Degree Attainment Rates for MCPS Graduates

Percentage of MCPS Students in the Class of 2001 Earning a Four-year Degree by Dec. 2008

MCPS Classes 2001-04• Students who scored 1100 or

higher (on 1600 total) were less likely to be required to take a remedial class.

How does Algebra 2 How does Algebra 2 affect College affect College

Readiness?Readiness?

How does Algebra 2 How does Algebra 2 affect College affect College

Readiness?Readiness?

In MCPS, college degree attainment rates among students who completed Algebra 2 with a C or

higher by grade 11 are more than three times those of students with lesser preparation.

9381

67

0

20

40

60

80

100

Enrolled inCollege

Stayed in College Earned aBachelor's

Degree

73

42

19

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Enrolled inCollege

Stayed in College Earned aBachelor's

Degree

Completed Algebra 2

Did Not Complete Algebra 2

Why is College Readiness Important?

• College readiness = career readiness

• Today’s job growth is in areas that require college-level knowledge and skills.

• DHS expects all graduates to be prepared for postsecondary education and employment.

• 75% of the nation’s high school graduates enter college

• 50% of them are required to take at least 1 remedial course

• But only 33% of the students who are required to take a remedial course earn a 4 year degree

How Many Students Are Impacted?How Many Students Are Impacted?

•Of the 4000 students new to college who enrolled at MC in Fall 09:–32% placed at the Pre algebra level–20% placed at the Elementary Algebra level

–15% placed at the Intermediate Algebra level

•Nearly 54% of all math courses 54% of all math courses at MC are developmental

Which Test Should a Student Which Test Should a Student Take?Take?

16

ACCUPLACERACCUPLACERSATSAT

ACTACT

What Should We Know What Should We Know about SAT, ACT, and about SAT, ACT, and

ACCUPLACER?ACCUPLACER?

17

SATACT

ACCUPLACER

College Application Tests College Placement Test

ACT and SAT

1.Content based on nation-wide HS curriculum survey

• ACT “measures academic achievement in the areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science.”

• SAT “measures critical reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning skills.”

ACT

ACT and SAT

2.Highest Score is 36

• ACT– One point for every

correct item– Each section converted

to a 36-point scale– Average of scale scores

make up the composite score (out of 36)

– Essay reported separately from composite score

• English/Writing Score• Writing Score (out of 12)

ACT

ACT and SAT

3. 10 sections

• ACT – 4 sections– English, Math,

Reading, Science Reasoning

• SAT – 10 sections– Critical Reading (3),

Writing (3), Math (3), Experimental (1)

SAT

ACT and SAT

4. Assesses content from Algebra II

ACT SAT

ACT and SAT

5. Assesses content from Pre Calculus

ACT• Math

– Includes trigonometry

Pre-AlgebraElementary AlgebraIntermediate AlgebraCoordinate Geometry

Plane GeometryTrigonometry

1st Quarter,

Pre Calculus

ACT

ACT and SAT

6.Assesses grammar

• ACT English– Usage/Mechanics

• Punctuation, grammar & usage, sentence structure

– Rhetorical Skills• Writing strategy,

organization, style

• SAT Writing– Grammar– Usage– Word choice

ACT SAT

ACT and SAT

7. Reading Section consists of four 1-1½ page passages

• ACT Reading– Reading comprehension– Four passages

• Social science, humanities, prose fiction, and natural sciences

• SAT Reading– Reading comprehension– Sentence completion– Short and long passages

ACT

ACT and SAT

8.Directly assesses vocabulary in context

• SAT– Vocabulary directly

assessed in critical reading section

• ACT– Vocabulary is not

directly assessed, but aids reading comprehension

SAT

ACT and SAT

9. Reading score includes a social studies sub-score

ACT• Social

Studies/Sciences subscore

• See ACT student score report for other subscores

ACT

ACT and SAT

10.Assesses science reasoning

ACT• Science

– Readings, charts, experiments

ACT

ACT and SAT

11.Essay is required

• ACT – Optional essay– Topics “intended to

reflect the interests and experiences of HS students”

• SAT – Essay– Range of topics include

literature, art, sports, politics, technology, science, history, current events-

SAT

ACT and SAT

12. Essay requires student to take a position

• Sample prompts on next two slides as a reference

ACT SAT

ACT EssayIn some high schools, many teachers and parents have encouraged the school to adopt a dress code that sets guidelines for what students can wear in the school building. Some teachers and parents support a dress code because they think it will improve the learning environment in the school. Other teachers and parents do not support a dress code because they think it restricts the individual student’s freedom of expression. In your opinion, should high schools adopt dress codes for students?

In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one or the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific and examples to support your position.

SAT EssayTraditionally the term “heroism” has been applied to those who have braved physical danger to defend a cause or to protect others. But one of the most feared dangers people face is that of disapproval by their family, peers, or community. Sometimes acting courageously requires someone to speak out at the risk of such rejection. We should consider those who do so true heroes.

Assignment: Should heroes be defined as people who say what they think when we ourselves lack the courage to say it? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on the issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

ACT and SAT

14.¼ point deduction for incorrect answers

SAT

AccuplacerAccuplacerAccuplacerAccuplacer

What is the Accuplacer?

• The Accuplacer is a test widely used throughout the country and in all public Maryland colleges to appropriately place students in college courses.

• The Accuplacer is produced by College Board, the makers of the SAT, PSAT and AP exams.

How does the Accuplacer Work?

•It is a computer adaptive test.

•It has no time limit.

The DHS Statistics!• 56% of MCPS graduates attend a class

at MC within two years of graduation.

• Over 50% of the last 6 graduating classes at D.H.S. have taken a class at the M.C. Germantown campus within two years of graduation.

Why a College Test Now?•Many high school students

think that if they show up at a community college, they are automatically enrolled in college level classes.

This is not true!

You Should Know!• Large numbers of MCPS graduates

spend the first semester, first year, and possibly longer, taking expensive remediation courses.

•One remediation course at Montgomery College costs approximately $400.00!

No College Credit

•Remediation or Developmental classes do not count as college credit, and do not transfer to four year institutions.

How Does My Child’s Reading Affect Their College Placement?

Most classes at MontgomeryCollege are

– college level classes that will transfer to a 4 year institution,

Or – developmental classes that do not earn

transferable credit. These classes concentrate on building needed college level skills.

If your child’s reading is not at college level, here are some of the courses that he or she CANNOT take……..

• General Psychology

• Introduction to Sociology

• English Composition

• General Biology

• College Mathematics

• Art History

• Introduction to Business

Almost ALL college level courses

If your child’s reading is not at college level, here are some of the courses that he or she CAN take……..

• Art Drawing

• Art Design

• Computer Graphics

• Physical Education

• Introduction to Dance

(Courses that do not rely excessively on verbal skills.)

SAT Testing Dates

• Register: www.collegeboard.com• Test Date Registration Deadline

– January 28 (DHS) Dec 30 (1/13 late)– March 10 February 10 (2/24 late)– May 5 (DHS) April 6 (4/20 late)– June 2 May 8 (5/22 late)

ACT Testing Dates• Register: www.actstudent.org• Test Date Registration

Deadline

– February 11 January 13 (1/20 late)– April 14 March 9 (3/23 late) – June 9 (DHS) May 4 (5/18 late)

ACCUPLACER TEST• Montgomery College Placement Test - Can replace SAT or ACT - Available to 12th grade students in October. (PSAT testing day) - Scored in Reading, Math, and English - Placement determined by scores - Key is 550 in each section for a total of 1650

Test Only WhenTest Only When FullyFully PreparedPrepared

46

Whether SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER

Test Only WhenTest Only When FullyFully PreparedPrepared

47

What is DHS doing?

Test PreparationTest Preparation

48

• Encouraging students to take challenging courses

• Offering College Test Prep Course• Offering Triumph • Offering pull out review sessions• Offering SAT/ACT Bootcamp• Offering Mock ACT Test

Mock TestMock Test

49

Mock Test: November 15

Test PreparationTest Preparation

50

• Test of “Best Fit”