Hamilton County Middle Schoolers Outpace Nation On EXPLORE Test

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posted February 10, 2010

County school officials said eighth graders in Hamilton County middle schools outpaced the nation on the 2010 ACT Explore test.

The composite score (a combination of English, math, reading and science scores) rose from 14.9 to 15.3 in Hamilton County. The National composite score was 14.9. State scores are not available.

The ACT EXPLORE test is given to all eighth graders in Hamilton County. It is considered a predictor for how a student will score on the ACT PLAN test, which is administered in the 10th grade, and ultimately how students will do on the ACT, a college-readiness exam that is typically given in the 11th grade.

Hamilton County uses ACT EXPLORE data to refine instruction in the classroom to ensure that ACT standards and the new, more rigorous state content standards are taught appropriately in middle school classes. This use of data to enhance instruction benefits students as all classes offer a more enriched learning experience that is directly relatable to what other middle school students around the country are learning, it was stated.

Officials said, "The use of the ACT EXPLORE data is also a cornerstone of the Middle Schools for a New Society reform work, a collaborative effort with the Public Education Foundation and Lyndhurst Foundation, with support from the National Education Association Foundation that targets instruction in all 21 middle schools. MSNS is in its fourth year of implementation and has shown success and improved student achievement in most schools around the county."

Superintendent Dr. Jim Scales said, “This year we have focused our efforts on impacting instruction in the classroom. We are emphasizing state and national standards through our curriculum everyday and these test results show that what we are doing is having positive results.

“The EXPLORE test is a predictor for how students will do on the ACT PLAN. The key now is to keep this trend going and continue these positive results with the PLAN in 10th grade and then the ACT in 11th grade. But this is a great foundation for our 8th graders as they enter high school.”

Scores rose in all subjects on the ACT EXPLORE test, with the largest increase in math, jumping from a 14.8 in 2009 to a 15.4 in 2010.

“This is truly good news, and we believe it’s an indication that our students will continue to achieve and perform well on the state test based on the more rigorous standards implemented this year, “added Dr. Scales. “Our principals and teachers have worked hard to help all students and those efforts are netting positive results.”