Testing

In the spring of 2017, The ACT^® test and ACT WorkKeys test will be administered to 11^th grade students during the regular school day at no cost to you. No registration is required by you or your student.

 The ACT test dates are as follows:

• ACT                             February 27, 2018       Paper-based testing

The ACT test scores will provide you with information about your student’s progress toward college readiness and is widely used by colleges in making decisions about admission. Students who take The ACT according to ACT, Inc. requirements will be able to share their ACT scores with up to four colleges or universities for free. Please contact your student’s School Counselor is you have questions. The ACT test includes multiple-choice tests in English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science, as well as a Writing test, which is an essay.

ACT Test Prep is available for students in the following programs:

• Prepworks – Students can access through their Clever login https://els.prepworks.com/mylogin/
• USATestprep – All students have accounts for UsaTestprep. They can login into their school email to check for information or go to www.usatestprep.com, enter their “@sumterstudents” email click on forgot password.
• Learning Express: Information can be found here http://shs.sumterschools.net/guidance/career-specialist/

WorkKeys Information for Students_Families

In the spring of 2017, The ACT^® test and ACT WorkKeys test will be administered to 11^th grade students during the regular school day at no cost to you. No registration is required by you or your student.

Free WorkKeys Practice:

• Career Ready 101: http://run2.careerready101.com/login/
  • Student Login Information:

 The ACT WorkKeys test dates are as follows:

• ACT WorkKeys                              TBD                      Paper-based testing
• ACT WorkKeys Makeup              TBD

The South Carolina Code of Laws, section 59-18-325, requires that all eleventh grade students take ACT WorkKeys®.  ACT WorkKeys is a job skills assessment. The statewide testing program includes three timed tests taking 45 minutes each: Reading for Information (33 items), Applied Mathematics (33 items), and Locating Information (38 items).

In the spring of 2017, The SAT test will be administered to 11^th grade students during the regular school day at no cost to you. No registration is required by you or your student.

Free SAT Practice websites:

• CollegeBoard: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
• Official SAT Practice: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
• Learning Express: Information can be found here http://shs.sumterschools.net/guidance/career-specialist/
• USATestprep – All students have accounts for UsaTestprep. They can login into their school email to check for information or go to www.usatestprep.com, enter their “@sumterstudents” email click on forgot password.

 The SAT test date is as follows:

• SAT                          March 7, 2018                    Paper-based testing

End-Of-Course Exams

All students enrolled in Algebra 1, Biology 1, English 1 & U. S. History in South Carolina will take a standardized test at the end of each course. The End of Course Examination Program (EOCEP) is a statewide assessment program of end of course tests for specific courses in English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The EOCEP encourages instruction in the specific academic standards for the courses, increases student achievement, and documents the level of students’ mastery of the academic standards. EOCEP examination scores count 20 percent in the calculation of the student’s final grade in the courses.

Below is the schedule for the EOCEP:

• May 22, 2018 – English I
• May 23, 2018 – Algebra I
• May 24, 2018 – Biology I
• May 25, 2018 – U. S. History
• **NEW – May 9, 2018 – English I TDA Written Response

The best preparation for testing is the rigorous instruction that your child has received throughout the year in his/her classroom. We are also preparing our students for state testing by helping them to develop test taking strategies and by familiarizing them with the format of the tests – two areas that can prevent students from demonstrating what they already know.

Please speak to your child about the test experience. It is important that students approach the test with seriousness and confidence. We count on your support in the following ways:

• Students must be present and on time.
• Students must NOT bring into the testing location any electronic devices.
• Medical appointments and other out-of-school functions should not be scheduled during testing hours. If your child arrives at school after testing has begun, he/she will be escorted to an assigned area in order not to disrupt the testing environment for the other students. He/she will then take the missed test during make-up testing times or during the next scheduled class.
• Please help alleviate any anxieties your child may have about the testing and encourage him/her to take the test seriously and to put in their best effort.
• Please ensure that your child eats a wholesome, nutritious breakfast each day.
• Please ensure that your child is well rested and ready to do his/her best work.

Test Prep for EOCEPs:

• USATestprep – All students have accounts for USATestprep. They can login into their school email to check for information or go to www.usatestprep.com, enter their “@sumterstudents” email click on forgot password.

Second Semester Final Exams

High School Final Exams will be administered on June 6 – 7, 2018.

End-Of-Course Exams

All students enrolled in Algebra 1, Biology 1, English 1 & U. S. History in South Carolina will take a standardized test at the end of each course. The End of Course Examination Program (EOCEP) is a statewide assessment program of end of course tests for specific courses in English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The EOCEP encourages instruction in the specific academic standards for the courses, increases student achievement, and documents the level of students’ mastery of the academic standards. EOCEP examination scores count 20 percent in the calculation of the student’s final grade in the courses.

Below is the schedule for the EOCEP:

• November 29, 2017 –  English I TDA (NEW) . . . Makeups (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)
• Thursday, January 11, 2018 –  Algebra I
• Friday, January 12, 2018 – Biology 1
• Tuesday, January 16, 2018 – English I
• Wednesday, January 17, 2018 – U. S. History

The best preparation for testing is the rigorous instruction that your child has received throughout the year in his/her classroom. We are also preparing our students for state testing by helping them to develop test taking strategies and by familiarizing them with the format of the tests – two areas that can prevent students from demonstrating what they already know.

Please speak to your child about the test experience. It is important that students approach the test with seriousness and confidence. We count on your support in the following ways:

• Students must be present and on time.
• Students must NOT bring into the testing location any electronic devices.
• Medical appointments and other out-of-school functions should not be scheduled during testing hours. If your child arrives at school after testing has begun, he/she will be escorted to an assigned area in order not to disrupt the testing environment for the other students. He/she will then take the missed test during make-up testing times or during the next scheduled class.
• Please help alleviate any anxieties your child may have about the testing and encourage him/her to take the test seriously and to put in their best effort.
• Please ensure that your child eats a wholesome, nutritious breakfast each day.
• Please ensure that your child is well rested and ready to do his/her best work.

Test Prep for EOCEPs:

• USATestprep – All students have accounts for USATestprep. They can login into their school email to check for information or go to www.usatestprep.com, enter their “@sumterstudents” email click on forgot password.

October 2017 PSAT/NMSQT^® – Free for South Carolina’s 10^th graders

In compliance with Proviso 1A.17, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) will fund the administration of PSAT to districts for students in grade 10 will be given the opportunity to take a test predicting readiness for college/career and advanced coursework. This test is offered free of charge to all 10^th graders enrolled in public schools.

Our school will offer the PSAT/NMSQT^® Wednesday, October 11, 2017. This assessment is more than a test; it focuses on the knowledge and skills evidence shows matter most for college and career readiness. Even if your child has not yet decided to attend college, I urge you to make sure he or she participates, as it will open the door to many opportunities. By taking the PSAT/NMSQT^®, your child will access focused practice which prepares him/her for the future.

Benefits include the following:

• customized skill based practice to increase readiness through Kahn Academy carefully crafted to improve and polish necessary academic skills;
• a personalized list of careers and potential college majors and the ability to learn about them;
• access to the College Board’s interactive college and career planning website;
• an online score report, including projected SAT^® score ranges, state percentiles, and the ability to sort answer explanations by difficulty and question type;
• the opportunity to see which Advanced Placement classes the student has potential to do well; and
• a dedicated SAT^® study plan created by the test’s authors, including a review of results, practice questions, essays scored, and the chance to take four complete SAT^®’s.

Through the PSAT/NMSQT^®‘s student search feature, colleges and funding entities can offer your child opportunities of which he/she might be unaware. New College Board partners have pledged over $180 million dollars of scholarships available only through taking the PSAT\NMSQT^®. Additionally as a junior the PSAT is the entry point for the prestigious National Merit Qualifying Scholarships, your child’s participation as a sophomore will provide necessary practice to improve his/her performance when it counts. This is just one way the College Board is making your child’s path to excellence easier.

Your student’s Score Report for the PSAT/NMSQT^® will arrive at school early this winter for distribution. Students will also be able to access their scores online through their College Board student account.

PSAT/NMSQT® emphasizes the skills that enhance careers, including problem solving in science, social science, and other real-world context.   Additional information such as sample questions and study guides can be found online. Parents may sign up for a dedicated newsletter at http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/.

First Semester Final Exams

High School Final Exams will be administered on January 18th and 19th.