Parents of Juniors

Please read this important information about the

PRAIRIE STATE ACHIEVEMENT EXAMINATION (P.S.A.E.)

What is PSAE?

The Prairie State Achievement Examination (P.S.A.E.) is an assessment that will be given to juniors throughout the state of Illinois. The examination is the only statewide, mandated academic assessment beyond grade 8. It measures the performance of grade 11 students on the Illinois Learning Standards for reading, writing, mathematics, and social science.

What is the purpose?

The P.S.A.E. has two purposes: (1) to measure student’s progress toward meeting the Illinois Learning Standards for school accountability and (2) to recognize the achievement of individual students who receive a Prairie State Achievement Award for excellent performance.

Where do items on the exam come from?

P.S.A.E. items come from three components:

1. Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) — developed writing, science, and social science assessments;

2. The ACT Assessment®, which includes English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning tests; and,

3. Two Work Keys® assessments (Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics.)

Why does the P.S.A.E. include different kinds of tests?

The P.S.A.E. was developed to assess the Illinois Learning Standards and also to provide students with even broader achievement information. For these reasons, ISBE designed a test that would measure the Standards and that could also, if desired, be used for college admissions and to measure workplace skills. The ACT Assessment includes four tests that measure what you have learned in English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning, which are four of the five academic areas that must be included on the P.S.A.E. The two Work Keys® test add depth and breadth by addressing the “Applications of Learning” that are part of the Standards for every academic area and by the range of acquired skills in reading and mathematics that are assessed. Complete coverage of the Standards that are tested by the P.S.A.E. is accomplished by the addition of ISBE-developed tests for writing, science, and social science. Except for social science, your P.S.A.E. score for each subject will be based on two of the three kinds of tests that make up the P.S.A.E. For example, P.S.A.E. writing consists of ACT English (which measures how well you have mastered writing conventions and revision skills) and the ISBE-developed writing prompt (by which you demonstrate your ability to write).

Why are Work Keys® tests included on the P.S.A.E.?

ISBE decided to incorporate two Work Keys® tests, Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics, into the P.S.A.E. for three reasons:

1. Work Keys® tests assess whether you can apply what you have learned in your classrooms to non-classroom situation, as required by the “Applications of Learning” sections of the Standards;

2. Work Keys® tests give you a set of scores that you can use to identify the workplace skills you already have and the skills you need to acquire; and,

3. Work Keys® test scores are used by many employers to determine whether a job applicant is suited for a particular job just as the ACT Assessment® is used by college officials in determining whether to admit a student to their school.

Why is it appropriate for students enrolled in career and technical classes?

Advances in information and technology continue to change the world in which we live, especially the workplace. To be successful in a career, students need coursework while in school that once was deemed necessary for only those going to college. This more demanding coursework will help students meet high expectations expressed in the Illinois Learning Standards. The P.S.A.E., including the ACT Assessment®, is appropriate for students enrolled in career and technical education because the standards it measures are important for all.

When is the P.S.A.E. administered?

The P.S.A.E. will be administered on April 25 and 26, 2007. Make-up testing will be administered on May 9 and 10, 2007.

How and when will I receive my P.S.A.E. scores?

You will receive a score for each subject that is tested on the P.S.A.E. Schools will receive and distribute individual student reports containing P.S.A.E. scores for reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social science in August 2006. As a bonus, you will receive an ACT Assessment® score report and a score for each of the Work Keys® tests. ACT will mail your ACT Assessment® score report to your home in June 2006. Your Work Keys® scores for Reading for Information and Applied Mathematics will be distributed by schools along with your P.S.A.E. scores in August 2007.