November 10, College Testing Practice and Preparation at Southwest

Dear Southwest High School Students and Families,

“You are more than a test score.” We regularly tell students this and then, in the next breath, inform them of the list of tests they are required to take. Rather than having our students take every test possible, we have chosen to be purposeful in our support of and preparation for standardized testing. As such, we are focusing on providing our students with access to and practice for the ACT test, a nationally-normed college access test that many colleges use in the admission process, for course placement, and in awarding scholarships.

Research has shown that increased practice (or retaking) of the ACT typically increases students’ scores (source: ACT website). To maximize students’ resources of time, effort, and money, we have created a testing plan that does two things:

1.       Provides students with repeated exposure and practice on the ACT and its preparation tests, thereby increasing comfort and performance on the official ACT.

2.       Establish 9^th grade “baseline” data for each graduating class that will be used to assess growth for students as they move through the ACT tests.

On Thursday, November 10, 2016, our second late-start day of this year, regularly-scheduled classes will not take place as we have special activities planned for the entire day for all students. General grade level-specific details are below. For full details, including information about when and where students should report on the morning of November 10, please visit our website at http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/nov_10.

FRESHMEN – All freshmen will take a retired Explore test. The test is an unofficial, full-length, 9^th grade Pre-ACT test in four subject areas: English, Math, Reading and Science. Freshmen will take the test in the morning, have lunch at Southwest, and then participate in team building activities off campus. Freshmen will be released from school when they return from their field trips.

·         Explore testing

o   Freshmen report to their assigned testing rooms

o   Freshmen SHOULD bring #2 non-mechanical pencils and an ACT-approved calculator

o   Freshmen SHOULD NOT bring cell phones, music, backpacks, or books/games for after testing

·         Lunch

·         Team building activities

o   9^th grade team teachers will be organizing activities for the part of the day when students are not testing

SOPHOMORES – All sophomores will work on the IB MYP Personal Project, complete preparation activities related to Career Day in the spring, and take a retired PLAN test. The test is an unofficial, full-length, 10^th grade Pre-ACT test in four subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science.

·         PLAN testing, sophomores should be prepared with the following:

o   Sophomores SHOULD bring #2 non-mechanical pencils and an ACT-approved calculator

o   Sophomores SHOULD NOT bring cell phones, music, backpacks, or books/games for after testing

JUNIORS – All juniors will take the Preliminary (unofficial, full-length) ACT. This full-length ACT test will provide students with an authentic practice ACT experience and a baseline ACT score prior to winter break. 

·         Juniors should be prepared with the following:

o   Juniors SHOULD bring #2 non-mechanical pencils and an ACT-approved calculator

o   Juniors SHOULD NOT bring cell phones, music, backpacks, or books/games for after testing.

SENIORS – SWHS SENIOR core academic teachers will be facilitating meaningful enrichment activities during the late morning and afternoon. The 4 core subject areas will be hosting learning workshops starting at 10:05am and continuing on a rotating basis. These teachers will be providing specific information to their students regarding when and where these sessions will be held.

We will also have access to electronic devices for students who wish to work on their credit recovery courses with Mr. Jared Mountain, the SWHS ALC Coordinator. This opportunity will take place in the WEST Building “garages” on the 1^st floor.

Please stay tuned for further details.
Thank you,

The SWHS Counseling Team