Statewide Testing

An increasing number of states are recognizing the importance of statewide testing to measure the educational progress of their students. The ACT^® test and WorkKeys^® assessments are recognized as the leading educational assessments for use in statewide testing.

States Using ACT for Statewide Testing

Illinois
High school juniors in Illinois take the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE). The PSAE includes the ACT Plus Writing and WorkKeys Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information assessments, in addition to a state-developed science test. The PSAE measures high school students' progress in meeting the Illinois Learning Standards in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Public high school students have to participate in the PSAE as a condition of receiving a high school diploma.

Michigan
High school juniors in Michigan take the Michigan Merit Exam (MME), which includes state-developed tests, the five tests in the ACT Plus Writing, and the WorkKeys Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information assessments. Starting in 2009, the MME plans to add the WorkKeys Locating Information assessment, which will allow students to qualify for the National Career Readiness Certificate, powered by the WorkKeys assessments.

Wyoming
High school juniors are required to take either the four multiple-choice ACT tests or the WorkKeys Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information assessments. The cost for either set of assessments for all students is paid by the state.

Why Is Statewide Testing Important?

Many high school graduates do not have all of the skills they need to succeed in college-level coursework or workforce training. Research indicates that the skills required for workforce training beyond high school are the same as those expected of a first-year college student. In addition, an estimated 85 percent of all jobs are now classified as "skilled," meaning that they require some education beyond high school.

It's clear that improving college and workforce readiness is crucial to the development of a diverse and talented labor force. ACT suggests reexamining state standards and the content of courses in high school to ensure they focus on high-level college and work readiness skills.