Wisconsin's Student Assessment System (WSAS)
The WSAS uses the ACT® and PreACT® exams to assess students' college readiness
Wisconsin's Student Assessment System (WSAS) is a key component of the state's education system and plays a critical role in assessing the academic progress of high school students. The WSAS uses the ACT® and PreACT® exams to assess students' college readiness and to provide them with valuable information on their academic strengths and weaknesses.
The ACT® and the PreACT® are widely used for college admissions and scholarship purposes and are accepted by colleges and universities across the United States.
The ACT® is a comprehensive assessment that measures knowledge in:
- English
- Mathematics
- Reading
- Science
The PreACT® is a preparatory version of the ACT® that provides:
- Students with an early estimate of their ACT® scores
- Helps students identify areas that need improvement before taking the ACT®.
The WSAS requires all 11th-grade students to take the ACT® and provides a free administration of the test to all eligible students. The state also offers the PreACT® to 10th-grade students as an optional exam. The results of the exams provide valuable insights into the performance of students and schools and help educators to tailor their instructional methods to meet the needs of their students.
PreACT® results provide valuable insights into the performance of students and help schools and educators:
- Identifies student strengths and weaknesses: PreACT® results can show where a student excels and where they need improvement, which can inform instructional decisions.
- Supports college and career readiness: The PreACT® assesses the skills and knowledge that are important for success in college and the workplace, providing an early indication of a student's readiness for post-secondary education.
- Provides a baseline for growth: The results of the PreACT® can serve as a baseline for future academic growth and can be used to track a student's progress over time.
- Supports data-driven decision making: The results of the PreACT® can be used by educators, administrators, and policy makers to make informed decisions about how to support student learning and school improvement.
- Helps schools evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and instruction: By comparing the performance of students on the PreACT® to state and national averages, schools can assess the effectiveness of their programs and instruction and make necessary improvements.
- Facilitates communication between educators and families: The results of the PreACT® can be shared with families, providing them with valuable information about their student's academic performance and areas for improvement.
In conclusion, the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) is a crucial tool that helps high school students in the state prepare for college and future careers. The ACT® and PreACT® exams provide valuable information on students' academic strengths and weaknesses and help educators to tailor their instructional methods to meet the needs of their students. By participating in the WSAS, students have the opportunity to assess their college readiness and to receive the support they need to succeed in the future.
