February 2020
Stay up-to-date with ACT news and views and read up on important learning and workforce trends.
In the News
1.) UC Should Keep ACT/SAT as Admissions Requirements, Faculty Report SaysLA Times
The University of California Standardized Testing Task Force (composed of faculty senate) released a thorough report recommending that the UC system continue to require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores as part of its undergraduate admissions process. The final decision by the UC Board of Regents is expected this spring.
See also: Commentary from the LA Times Editorial Board on why UC should keep the ACT and SAT as admissions requirements.
2.) Felon turns life around with Career Readiness Certificate, Crawford County jail program offers chance for detainees to find work
Southwest Times Record (Arkansas)
The Adult Education Center in Crawford County (Arkansas) offers a Career Readiness Certificate program that provides inmates the opportunity to take the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® to help them transition from jail into the workforce. Jakob’s story demonstrates the power and promise of WorkKeys to help all individuals find their fit in the modern workplace.
See also: Federal Bureau of Prisons Selects ACT to be Part of Its Career Readiness Program
ACT Views
3.) University of California should work to improve the SAT and ACT, not scrap themCal Matters (Commentary by Marten Roorda)
ACT CEO Marten Roorda recently penned commentary for Cal Matters to promote collaboration among stakeholders, including California leaders, when discussing solutions to equitable college admissions, and provide the next generation of students, job seekers and employers with the learning resources, assessments, research and credentials needed to succeed.
4.) Social and Emotional Skills Stealth Assessment
CASEL (Blog by ACT researchers Kate Walton, John Whitmer, and Jeremy Burrus)
ACT researchers recently carried out a study in partnership with University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Blackboard using advanced learning analytics techniques to explore how data from online learning environments like learning management systems (LMS) might be used to measure and improve upon students’ social and emotional (SE) skills. They explain the challenges associated with assessing SE skills as well as results and recommendations from the promising exploratory study.
Trends
5.) Coronavirus update: Educators adjusting deadlines and programmes; agents provide their perspectiveICEF Monitor
Higher education leaders continue to monitor the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak as it begins to affect exam dates, admissions deadlines and even summer programs. ICEF Monitor provides background and context on the developing situation.
Upcoming Events
Association of Test Publishers (ATP)- March 29-April 1, 2020
- Catch us in booth 100 and follow #atpconf on Twitter for updates.
- March 30-April 1, 2020
- Stop by booth 235 and follow @asugsvsummit on Twitter for conference highlights.
