The ACT Explore Test and a Student's Future Term Paper by scribbler

The ACT Explore Test and a Student's Future
A review of the validity and reliability of the ACT Explore test in high schools.
# 153272 | 1,423 words | 4 sources | APA | 2013 | US
Published on May 12, 2013 in Education (Jr High/High School)


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Description:

The paper discusses the ACT Explore test that is the first in a series of tests designed to measure not only a student's ability to perform higher level academic work, but to also determine his or her personal preference in regards to a future scholastic and work career. The paper examines the stability and reliability of the ACT Explore test and discusses how data from ACT Explore is used. The paper draws the conclusion that while no test is "valid," or 100% reliable, the ACT Explore test has been proven to be relatively valid and reliable over time and with students from a variety of cultural, racial, socioeconomic and ability levels. Furthermore, the paper contends that while the ACT Explore is just one tool, it is a powerful one for the classroom teacher who strives to put his or her students on the path to success.

Outline:
ACT Explore and Validity
ACT Explore and Reliability
How Data from ACT Explore is Used

From the Paper:

"How valid are multiple choice tests as methods of assessment? How reliable are the results of multiple choice tests in regards to measuring academic ability, aptitude, and predicting performance on future academic evaluations? While classroom teachers often create their own multiple choice tests to measure mastery of a particular academic content, other, more high stake multiple choice tests not only measure mastery of concepts presumed to be requisite thus far in an students academic career, they also have a huge influence upon a student's future academic opportunities. Furthermore, these tests can provide valuable insight into a student's particular areas of strength, and can guide them on a path to a productive future - if, that is, the tests are relatively valid and reliable. While no multiple choice test is "valid" per se, the validity of some tests, as well as the reliability of the results they provide, have been more rigorously tested. The ACT Explore test is one such test that has been tested and proven to have a small margin of error with respect to validity and reliability.
"The ACT Explore test, administered in the 8th and 9th grades, is designed to measure a student's ability and aptitude in the areas of English, math, reading, and science. According to the overview of the test provided by ACTStudent.org, "Taking EXPLORE(r) in 8th or 9th grade tells you things you need to know--to plan your high school courses, prepare for the ACT, or choose a career direction." (ACTstudent.org, 2011)"

Sample of Sources Used:

  • EXPLORE, PLAN, and the ACT. (2011) ACTstudent.org.
  • Fairness Reports for the ACT Tests. (2010) Iowa City: ACT, Inc.
  • Spray, Judith A. Performance of Three Conditional DIF Statistics in Detecting Differential Item Function on Simulated Tests. (2009) Iowa City: ACT, Inc.
  • Woodruff, David J. Relationships between EPAS Scores and College Preparatory Work in High School. (2001) Iowa City: ACT, Inc.

Cite this Term Paper:

APA Format

The ACT Explore Test and a Student's Future (2013, May 12) Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/term-paper/the-act-explore-test-and-a-student-future-153272/

MLA Format

"The ACT Explore Test and a Student's Future" 12 May 2013. Web. 20 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/term-paper/the-act-explore-test-and-a-student-future-153272/>

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