Performance Level Descriptors
OpenED
Performance Level Descriptors
Accommodations on the ACT
Accommodations Q & A Recording
Key Dates

Online Testing
Administration Manual
Technical Requirements
Technical Guide for Online Testing
Test Administration Form (Accommodations)
Tech Readiness Training (PowerPoint)

Paper/Pencil Testing
Administration Manual
Administration Manual (Accommodations)
Administration Manual for Special Testing (Non-College Reportable)

Test Security Agreement
Test Security Procedures
Test Observation Checklist
Students Not Tested Form

Directions for Administration
Building Coordinator’s Manual
Test Security Agreement
Test Security Procedures
Test Observation Checklist
Test Inventory Form
Irregularity Report (IRR) Form
Students Not Tested Form

Performance Level Descriptors
Cut Scores
Score Interpretation Guide
Reports
OpenED

Evidence for Paper and Online Mode Comparability

In the early fall of 2014, WDE worked with research scientists at the ACT to develop written descriptors of each of the performance levels that reflect the recommendations made by the standard-setting panelists in August of 2014. As you can see from the descriptors below, the proficient cuts in the content areas were developed in a way that results in approximately a 50% probability (range: 44-53%) of students earning a B or higher in entry-level credit bearing courses in college and about a 60% chance (range: 57-65%) of enrolling in college the fall after high school graduation. Given the emphasis of our state’s adopted standards on college and career readiness – and given that ACT’s research indicates that the skills necessary for most careers are very similar to those required for success in higher education, these PLDs and associated cuts are appropriate for adoption in Wyoming. More information can be found in the link below.

Grade 11

Mathematics

Basic: Students meeting the Basic standard in math have a 22% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in math, and a 51% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Thirty-six percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Basic standard in math enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

Proficient: Students meeting the Proficient standard in math have a 44% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in math, and a 69% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Fifty-seven percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Proficient standard in math enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

Advanced: Students meeting the Advanced standard in math have a 73% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in math, and a 85% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Seventy-two percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Advanced standard in math enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

Reading

Basic: Students meeting the Basic standard in reading have a 33% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in social science, and a 63% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Forty percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Basic standard in reading enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

Proficient: Students meeting the Proficient standard in reading have a 53% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in social science, and a 76% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Sixty-two percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Proficient standard in reading enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

Advanced: Students meeting the Advanced standard in reading have a 69% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in social science, and a 85% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Seventy-four percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Advanced standard in reading enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

Science

Basic: Students meeting the Basic standard in science have a 26% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in science, and a 59% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Forty-seven percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Basic standard in science enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

Proficient: Students meeting the Proficient standard in science have a 49% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in science, and a 77% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Sixty-five percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Proficient standard in science enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

Advanced: Students meeting the Advanced standard in science have a 77% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year credit-bearing college course in science, and a 91% probability of earning a C or higher in the course. Seventy-two percent of the 2013 ACT-tested graduating class in Wyoming who met the Advanced standard in science enrolled in college the fall after high school graduation.

ACT PLDS

ACT Suite Portals

The ACT Suite portal provides administrators and teachers with access to calendars, forms, instructions and other documents that are needed to coordinate the ACT Suite of assessments. The portal can be accessed here.

ACT

• Welcome to ACT State and District Testing
• Manual for State and District Testing  
• Manual for State and District Testing (Special Testing)
• Schedule of Events
• Accommodations on the ACT
• Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) User Guide
• Re-testing With Accommodations
• Accommodations Q & A link

ACT WorkKeys

• Welcome to ACT State and District Testing
• WorkKeys Manual for State and District testing (Standard Time, Paper)
• WorkKeys Manual for State and District Testing (Special, Paper)
• Summary of Requirements
• Understanding Your WorkKeys Scores
• Using Your WorkKeys Scores

• 2015 The Condition of College & Career Readiness
• 2014 The Condition of College & Career Readiness
• ACT Profile Report – Wyoming Graduating Class 2014
• Instructional Support Workshop PowerPoint
• Core Practice Framework
• College Readiness Benchmarks
• Research Publications

The ACT Suite

As we move forward with preparations for our spring 2016 assessment windows, we would like to share an overview of the status of the ACT Suite (ACT Plus Writing, ACT Aspire, ACT WorkKeys, and COMPASS).

ACT Plus Writing

At this time, schools are established and should be entering their assessment counts in the portal. ACT has enhanced the writing portion of the assessment. here is a link to the changes that have been implemented.

ACT Aspire

Schools now have access to the Aspire portal.  There is an Infrastructure Trial webinar available which teaches districts how to test the local infrastructure, work with simulated student data, set-up practice test sessions, and print authorization tickets. Schools should now be reviewing student data, focusing on the Personal Needs Profile (PNP), and identifying any student accommodations. Additionally, schools can begin configuring local technology. It is also possible to begin setting up testing sessions in the portal. Please visit the Test Management System for tutorials and other information about the administration steps.

Aspire Testing Times

ACT has made available a timeline (with relevant resources)  of the administration steps for the ACT Aspire assessment.

• Spring 2016 Readiness Resources
• Tech Readiness Training – PowerPoint
• Computer-Based Testing Step-By-Step
• Paper/Pencil Testing Step-By-Step
• Room Supervisor Checklist
• ACT Aspire End-to-End Test Administration Flow Chart
• Aspire Infrastructure Trial Guide
• Aspire Avocet 

Aspire Training Videos

• Aspire Training Management System Requires log-in
• Aspire Test Administration Training Video
• Test Nav 8 Overview Requires log-in
• Monitoring Test Sessions Requires log-in
• Monitoring Dashboard & Registered/Returned Status Report Requires log-in

ACT COMPASS

The spring and fall 2016 COMPASS administrations will be the final administrations.

In the meantime, please watch the newsletter for further information and updates. For more information about these assessments please visit this page.