EXPLORE RESULTS
interpretation and comparison 2011-2012
EXPLORE
Standardized test normed for 8th and 9th
graders
First in sequence: EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT
In Whitehall, taken in the 7th and 8th grade
Designed to measure college readiness
standards
Subject
# of questions
Minutes to
complete
English
40
30
Reading
30
30
Math
30
30
Science
28
30
The English Test
Measures standard written English - punctuation,
grammar and usage and sentence structure
(usage and mechanics)
Measures use of strategy, organization, and
style of writing (rhetorical skills)
The Reading Test
Measures ability to understand written material
in different subjects
Skills measured include referring to detail,
drawing conclusions, making comparisons and
generalizations
Passages include prose fiction, humanities, and
social sciences
The Math Test
Measures mathematical reasoning
Focus is on the ability to reason
Questions cover knowledge and skills,
application, and understanding concepts in prealgebra, elementary algebra, geometry and
statistics and probability
The Science Test
Measures scientific reasoning skills
Measures ability to draw conclusions from
scientific information
Information is presented through data
representation, research summaries, and
conflicting viewpoints
Drawn from life science, earth/space science,
and physical science
EXPLORE BENCHMARKS
(scores to predict college success)
English
13
Reading
15
Math
17
Science
20
Your score report
Information about your knowledge, skills,
interests, and plans
Use to plan high school coursework and begin
thinking about college and work
MICHIGAN MERIT CURRICULUM
(high school requirements)
English: 4 credits
Science: 3 credits including Biology, Chemistry OR Physics and one
additional credit
Social Studies: 3 credits including World History, U.S. History and
Government/Economics
PE/Health: 1 credit
Arts: 1 credit
Foreign Language: 2 credits
Online learning experience
What do your scores mean?
Scores 1-25
Composite is the average of all test scores
(English, Reading, Math, and Science)
Scores in English are divided into Usage and
Mechanics and Rhetorical Skills. These subscores are from 1-12
Are You on Track?
Your scores can predict how you may do on
future tests like PLAN and ACT
These are predictions and may vary based on
the number of challenging courses you enroll in
and how hard you work
How Do Your Scores Compare?
The percentage on score sheet represents the
percent of students scoring at or below your
score in the nation
The local percent shows the percent of students
scoring at or below your score in Whitehall
How can you improve?
Take courses recommended for college
Challenge yourself
Use the test booklets to check your answers to
improve on the 8th grade EXPLORE test
Ask for help from teachers
Take advantage of NHS tutors
Take practice tests at www.actstudent.org
Your Future
Educational plans indicate what education or
training you plan after high school
Career area preference is the area you indicated
you liked
EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT
Program
Grade level
Score range
EXPLORE
8 or 9
1-25
PLAN
10
1-32
ACT
11 or 12
1-36
Why Go to College?
College grads have roughly half the
unemployment rate of those without degrees
Median earnings for college grads are about
$21,900 more per year which is almost $1 million
more over a lifetime (information from Time
magazine October 31, 2011, "I Owe U" by
Kristina Dell)
Employability and
College Planning
U.S. isn't producing enough science and math
graduates
High paying positions are going unfilled or to
foreign applicants (information from Time
magazine October 31, 2011 "I Owe U" by
Kristina Dell)
Whitehall Scores
Percentage of students who reported needing help
in particular areas
Whitehall scores
class of 2016- 9th graders
Growth in the class of 2016
on the EXPLORE test
Whitehall scores
Class of 2015 (this year's 10th graders)
EXPLORE test 2012
test dates
8th graders March 28, 2012
7th graders April 18, 2012
Where can I find my scores?
1. Score reports will be sent home
2. Your scores have been recorded on your EDP at
www.careercruising.com
Username: WDS-student number
Password: birthdate (120499)
3. Parents may use the new parent portal activation
account
For more information:
Contact Mrs. Lori Hartman
893-1030 x4700
lorihartman@whitehallschools.net