Utilizing EXPLORE and PLAN Results
to Improve Student Performance Protocols
Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assistant Director
Office of Assessment and
Accountability
Student Preparation
• About 6,000 students drop out of high
school every day.
• More than one million students
graduate each year from high school
assuming they are ready for college or
the workplace – and they are not.
ACT, 2008. Making the Dream a
Reality: Action Steps for States to
Prepare All Students for College and
a Career
Student Preparation
ALL graduates need the same
knowledge and skills to be successful
in
– Two- or four-year college
– Job that offers a career path at a selfsupporting wage
– Apprenticeship or related training
– Military
ACT, 2008. Making the Dream a
Reality: Action Steps for States to
Prepare All Students for College and
Career
Student Preparation
Students who take two or
more remedial college courses
are unlikely to graduate.
– Nearly 45% who plan to go to college
after graduation have not taken courses
that will allow them to proceed to creditbearing, college courses.
ACT, 2004. On Course for Success
Protocol Development
• Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assistant Director,
Office of Assessment and Accountability
• Barbara Ashcraft, School Counselor
Coordinator, Office of School
Improvement
• EXPLORE and PLAN Advisory Committee
– County Test Coordinators
– Middle and high school counselors and
administrator
• School Counselor Protocol Review
Committee
Student Score Reports
• Plans for after high school
• Scores compared to EXPLORE/PLAN College
Readiness Benchmarks
• Predicted PLAN/ACT composite score
• Interest inventory response interpreted on
World-of-Work Map
• Responses and correct answers with
suggestion for building knowledge and skills
See Utilizing EXPLORE and PLAN Results,
Appendix A, pp. 82-85; Appendix D, pp. 96-99.
EXPLORE and PLAN
Student Reports Page 1
Student Reports
Reported Needs
Student Reports
College Readiness
Estimated PLAN or ACT Scores
Student Reports
Career Area List
Student Reports
Page 2
EXPLORE
PLAN
Student Reports
World-of-Work Map
Resources
ACT EXPLORE Student Website
World-of-Work Map
Using PLAN to Identify
Students with AP Potential
• Research findings released in 2009
• Relationship between students’ scores
on PLAN and their scores on selected
AP exams
• PLAN test scores are good predictors of
success in AP courses
http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/p
df/UsingPlan.pdf
AP Courses
Students who take AP courses
– Gain skills that help them succeed in
college
• Writing and problem-solving skills
• Study habits
– Stand out in admission process
• 31% of colleges and universities look at AP
experience when determining scholarships
– More likely to graduate in 4 years
• Over 90% of 4-year colleges provide credit
and/or advanced placement for qualifying
scores
PLAN Scores Associated with Selected AP Exam Scores
PLAN Scores
3 or Higher AP Score
4 or Higher AP
Score
50%
75%
50%
23
26
26.5
Avg. Mathematics & Science
22.5
25.5
25.5
Calculus BC
Avg. Mathematics & Science
21
24.5
25
Chemistry
Avg. Mathematics & Science
24.5
27.5
28
English Language and
Compositions
Avg. English & Reading
21.5
24
26
English Literature and
Composition
Avg. English & Reading
21.5
24
26.5
European History
Avg. English & Reading
21.5
24.5
27
Government and Politics:
Comparative
Avg. English & Reading
22
25.5
26.5
Government and Politics:
United States
Avg. English & Reading
22.5
26
27
Macroeconomics
Avg. Mathematics & Science
24
27.5
27
Microeconomics
Avg. Mathematics & Science
22
26
26.5
Physics B
Avg. Mathematics & Science
23.5
26.5
27
AP Exam
Biology
PLAN Tests
Avg. Mathematics & Science
Calculus AB
PLAN: Predictions of AP Success
School Roster
• Lists students and identifies those
who have potential to be successful
in selected AP courses based upon
their PLAN results and ACT’s research
linking PLAN scores to success in AP
courses
PLAN: Predictions of AP Success
School Roster
Action Plan
• What activities do you plan to initiate
this year to implement the
protocols?
• What are your intended outcomes?
• Who will participate in the activities?
• When will you conduct these activities?
• How will you evaluate the effectiveness
of your work?
Thank you
For more information, contact
• Dr. Beth Cipoletti
dcipolet@access.k12.wv.us
• Cathy Perry cgperry@access.wv.us
• Lori Helmick lhelmick@access.k12.wv.us
• Tammy Hobert Wells
thwells@access.k12.wv.us
• Michael Runner
mrunner@access.k12.wv.us