Shelby County Public Schools
STEPS TO COLLEGE and CAREER READINESS
Please refer to the “Definition of Terms” section at the bottom of the document for assistance.
12TH GRADE
• Score a composite 24 on the ACT and meet all College Readiness Benchmarks
• 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average
• 3 Advanced Placement/Dual Credit Courses (minimum of 1 course during senior year)
• Complete a fourth course in the selected Career Pathway, as appropriate (2017-2018)
• Take KOSSA and/or Industry Certification. Earn a qualifying score on Work Keys and/or
ASVAB, as appropriate (2017-2018)
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
11TH GRADE
• Meet College Readiness Benchmarks
• 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average
• Minimum of 2 Advance Placement/Dual Credit Courses by end of 11th grade
• Complete a third course in the selected Career Pathway (2016-2017)
• Take KOSSA and/or Industry Certification, Work Keys and/or ASVAB assessments, as
appropriate (2016-2017)
• Proficiency on all KPREP Assessments
10TH GRADE
• Meet or Exceed PLAN Benchmarks - Composite of 21
• 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average
• Minimum of 1 Advance Placement/Dual Credit Course by the end of 10th grade
• Complete the second course in a selected Career Pathway (2015-2016)
• Proficiency on all KPREP Assessments
9TH GRADE
• Exceed EXPLORE benchmarks or meet PLAN benchmarks
• 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
• Complete the first Course in a selected Career Pathway (2014-2015)
• At or above grade level in Reading, Math, Science and Language Usage on MAP
8TH GRADE
• Meet 4 of 4 EXPLORE Benchmarks
• 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average
• Proficiency on all KPREP Assessments
• Complete Career Exploration course and select a Career Cluster and Pathway
• At or above grade level in Reading, Math, Science and Language Usage on MAP
7TH GRADE
• Meet 3 of 4 EXPLORE Benchmarks
• Proficiency on all KPREP Assessments
• At or above grade level in Reading, Math, Science and Language Usage on MAP
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
6TH GRADE
• College Readiness Plan developed within the Individual Learning Plan (with goal setting)
• Proficiency on all KPREP Assessments
• At or above grade level in Reading, Math, Science and Language Usage on MAP
2014
Shelby County Public Schools
STEPS TO COLLEGE and CAREER READINESS
Please refer to the “Definition of Terms” section at the bottom of the document for assistance.
5TH GRADE
• Proficiency on all KPREP Assessments
• At or above the 60th percentile in Reading, Math, Science and Language Usage on MAP
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
4TH GRADE
• Proficiency on all KPREP Assessments
• At or above the 60th percentile in Reading, Math, Science and Language Usage on MAP
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
3RD GRADE
• Proficiency on all KPREP Assessments
• At or above the 60th percentile in Reading, Math, Science and Language Usage on MAP
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
2ND GRADE
• At or above the 60th percentile in Reading, Math, and Language Usage on MAP
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
• Accurately demonstrate independent Level 28 or above on the DRA
• Proficient or above on common, standards-based assessments in all core content
1ST GRADE
• At or above the 60th percentile in Reading and Math on MAP
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
• Demonstrate Level 18 or above on the DRA
• Proficient or above on common, standards-based assessments in all core content
KINDERGARTEN
• Mastery of all Pre-K and Kindergarten components on the PAST Assessment
• Demonstrate Writing Proficiency
• Demonstrate Level 4 or above on the DRA
• Score proficient or higher on Kindergarten skills checklist (Math and Reading)
PRESCHOOL
• Mastery of social skills, work skills and self-help skills
• Mastery of all Pre-K components on the PAST assessment
• Demonstrate Level A or above on the DRA
• Score proficient or higher on Preschool skills checklist (Math and Reading)
• Effectively communicate wants and needs
2014
Shelby County Public Schools
STEPS TO COLLEGE and CAREER READINESS
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
ACT – a national college admission exam consisting of subject areas in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science
Advanced Placement – college-level coursework and examinations, can lead to college credit with high enough
scores
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) – an exam used to determine qualification for enlistment into
the United States Armed Forces
Career Pathway – A program of study leading toward a post-secondary degree and/or industry-recognized
certification
College Readiness Benchmarks – The minimum score(s) which a student must attain (on the ACT) for entry into
credit-bearing coursework at the college level
ACT Benchmark Scores for College Readiness in Kentucky
Content Area
Score
English
18 or higher
Reading
20 or higher
Mathematics
19 or higher
Cumulative Grade Point Average – the overall average grade of all coursework [A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0]
DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) – one-on-one (teacher and student) reading assessment
Dual Credit – enrollment in two separate, academically related institutions. Credits earned can be applied to both
high school and college
EXPLORE – An assessment for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders to measure knowledge, skills, and interests. Used to plan for
high school courses, prepare for the ACT, and/or help choose career directions
ILP (Individual Learning Plan) – a personalized academic plan for students outlining courses of study
Industry Certificate – a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job
KOSSA (Kentucky Occupational Skills Standards Assessment) - an assessment measuring career readiness
K-PREP (Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress) – An assessment measuring mastery of the
Kentucky Common Core Standards (Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Writing)
MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) – a personalized computer-based assessment which adapts to each
student’s learning level. Measures academic progress in Reading, Math, and Language Usage.
The current plan is to add Science to our MAP assessments after the new National Standards are released and incorporated into Kentucky
Common Assessment Standards.
PAST (Phonological Awareness Skills Test) - a test assessing the pre-reading skills that are early indicators of
reading success
PLAN – An (ACT-like) assessment designed for tenth graders to measure college readiness Note: This assessment
will be replaced with the “ACT Aspire” in the future.
Work Keys – a job skills assessment
Writing Proficiency – grade level requirements to demonstrate certain characteristics of writing
2014