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Programs and Services

ReadiStep™ Developed for Eighth-Graders to Gauge Proficiencies in Reading, Writing and Math

Lee Jones, senior vice president of College Readiness at the College Board

The College Board is sharing more information about a new assessment tool aimed at helping teachers better prepare students for college. Known as ReadiStep™, the eighth-grade assessment is designed to help educators identify the skills that students have and those that they need to develop in order to be more prepared for college. On Oct. 22, College Board President Gaston Caperton joined Lee Jones, senior vice president of College Readiness at the College Board, and Kristopher John, executive director for College Readiness, in speaking with reporters about the new program, and on Nov. 6, the College Board will hold a session for educators at the annual national Forum in Houston.

A voluntary, low-stakes test that can be completed within two hours, the format of ReadiStep is pencil and paper and divided into three multiple-choice sections of critical reading, writing skills and mathematics.

Because results are guaranteed within four weeks, educators can quickly assess proficiencies and adjust curricula as necessary, ensuring that students are on the right track in preparing for college. Scores on the exam are intended as a diagnostic only and are unrelated to college admission or school grades.

“We’re hearing from states, districts and schools that are committed to creating a college-ready culture. They want students to be capable of achieving not just at basic standards, but at college-readiness standards,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton. “ReadiStep was developed in partnership with middle school teachers and other education experts so that it would yield results that were accurate, targeted and usable.”

ReadiStep is aligned with the English Language Arts and Mathematics College Board Standards for College Success™, which is a national model of rigorous academic content standards utilized by states, districts and schools to align curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development with AP® and college-readiness standards.

“ReadiStep is a launching pad for students, their families and their schools as they work together toward a common goal of college success,” said Lee Jones, senior vice president of college readiness products at the College Board. “It can help teachers change the course of a student's instruction so that more students realize their academic dreams.”

Designed to align with the PSAT/NMSQT® and SAT® tests to help create a complementary suite of skills-assessing tests, ReadiStep assesses the same skills as the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT at a grade-appropriate level. It is teacher-proctored, administered within schools and can be scheduled for any time during the fall or spring testing windows. The test will first be available for administration in fall 2009.

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