Dear students and parents,
This information is being sent to you for your information and planning. All 11th grade students will be taking the ACT assessment on February 27. This is a state assessment and is used as one piece of data on our Southern Door School District Report Card. Taking the assessment is high stakes as it directly impacts the college your son or daughter may wish to attend as well as the score our school receives. The cumulative score from the class provides a snapshot of how our school is currently performing and we receive a grade ranging from significantly exceeding expectations (highest) to fails to meet expectations (lowest). It is my expectation that every student put forth their best effort as their scores will be used for individual college selection and overall school performance.
As a high school we have provided students with several opportunities to prepare for the exam, both with content knowledge and process knowledge on how to take the rigorous assessment. Several students have participated in the prep sessions during our ELT (Extended Learning Time) and we are anticipating several during the free test session February 3, from 7:45 - 11:30, in the high school library.
Part of the ACT process is ensuring the testing environment is as focused as possible. In years past, we simultaneously ran classes for grades 9, 10, and 12 while doing the ACT assessment for 11th grade students. This required additional staff, sectioning off part of the high school off, as well as several other logistical needs. Evaluating our past practice, in addition to researching other schools' assessment practices, we are electing to enact the following schedule:
All 9, 10, and 12th grade students will not have school on Tuesday February 27, 2018 .
(Please note date has been corrected)
All 11th grade students will be dismissed after they are done with the ACT assessment. We are anticipating that that test will conclude around 12:30. The school will not be providing transportation during the middle of the day. Students electing to stay on campus until the regular dismissal at 3:03 p.m. will be provided lunch and an opportunity to study and access to computers in our library.
We believe this will provide the students taking the ACT assessment with the best environment for success.