Preparing for the ACT - College Readiness Standards

As students prepare for success after high school, one thing that is essential is some sort of post-secondary training.  As a gauge of a student's readiness, the State of Michigan requires all students to take the Michigan Merit Exam (MME).  This test is administered in March of a student's 11th grade year.  There is really no way through all of the MME tests to see growth over time because it is just a "snapshot" in 11th grade.  However, a part of the MME is administration of the ACT.  The ACT has been around for many, many years as a college entrance exam.  The creators of ACT have established College Readiness Standards that correlate to success in college and the student scores.  

The folks at ACT have also developed tests that can be used in lower grades.  These tests are based on the College Readiness Standards so, if they are administered in lower grades,there is an opportunity to show growth over time.  Shepherd High School and Middle School administer these test.  The 7th and 8th grades will take the EXPLORE, and 9th and 10th grade students will take the PLAN.  The data from these assessments can help identify instructional and skill gaps. 

The links below are very helpful to show the standard and how they relate to a student's score.  They can also help identify what skills need to be improved to make improvements on the tests.

Mathematics College Readiness Standards

Science College Readiness Standards

English College Readiness Standards

Reading College Readiness Standards

Writing College Readiness Standards

Health Safety Alert - Snorting Kool-Aid

We had a brief issue this year with a potential health request.  Some alert teachers noticed students "making deals" with quarters and Kool Aid.  The transaction smacked of a drug deal - but for Kool Aid?  We quickly did a little research to see why students might do this.  We found that indeed there was an issue with students snorting Kool Aid.  There were several articles.  To see one of the articles, click here.  It is very interesting.  What kids will do!

Though there doesn't seem to be much of a "high" for the students, there are some serious health risks.  One is that snorting the powder puts a solid substance or crystal into the respiratory system, which is designed for gases or vapors.  Even smoke is a gas, not a solid.  Additionally, there were reports that the sugary crystals get caught in the nasal passage and while people sleep, flies enter the nasal passage (attracted  by the sugar) and lay eggs, leaving larvae to grow in the individual's nasal passage.

Though this is a concern by itself, the activity of trying to get a "high" is maybe more of a concern.  Why would a student seek this "high"?  It they don't get the feeling they want, will they try some other substance or activity?  There can be much bigger issues in the future from this behavior.

So, if you are a student reading this, please consider the harm that you may be doing to yourself and talk to someone, like a school counselor or teacher, about any struggle you may be having.