Dear Parent/Guardian of Eleventh Grade Students:
The State Board of Education is required by General Statute §115C-174.11 (c)(4), to plan for and require the administration of the ACT test to all public school students who are enrolled in the eleventh grade for the first time. Your student will take the statewide ACT free of charge on 2/20/2019.
The ACT is part of North Carolina’s school accountability program. In addition, the ACT results may be used at the high school level to identify students who need assistance with certain subject areas or academic skills, to evaluate effectiveness of instruction, and to adjust curriculum to improve instruction. Colleges use ACT scores for admissions decisions, course placement, academic advising, and loans and scholarships. Students participating in the statewide ACT administration can select up to four colleges (or other reporting agencies) to receive their ACT scores for free.
Students who have taken either the SAT or the ACT before February 8, 2019, and have scores that meet the college readiness benchmark standards, do NOT have to participate in the statewide ACT administration on 2/20/2019. However, it is the students’ responsibility to notify the school that they do not wish to participate in the ACT. Before submitting a request for exemption, students must have either SAT or ACT test scores that meet the following college readiness benchmarks:
SAT college readiness benchmark scores include the following subtests:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score – 340
Mathematics - 540
ACT college readiness benchmark scores include all of the following subtests:
English - 18 Science 23
Mathematics - 22 Writing - 7
Reading - 22
Students may not combine test scores from prior, separate administrations to meet college readiness benchmark scores. All college readiness scores must be attained during the same test administration. For consideration of an ACT testing exception, students must complete a copy of the ACT Testing Exception Student Request Form and submit the request to the principal or the principal’s designee no later than February 8, 2019.
If you have questions or concerns about the ACT, please contact our Testing Coordinator, Elaine Miller at elaine.miller@cms.k12.nc.us or 980-343-3600.