Eighth Graders Prepare for EXPLORE Test

Published September 17, 2009

All Williamson County eighth grade students will be taking the EXPLORE test between September 21 and October 2.   

The results of the EXPLORE test predict college readiness and as a result, will be used to help your student plan for high school coursework.  The EXPLORE results also provide information on career interests, which will be used to plan for the 2009 WCS Career Fair to be held on November 19, 2009. 

“No longer are educators in the district viewing the EXPLORE test as simply an early indication of student performance on the ACT that students will take as juniors in high school,” said Middle Schools Director Dr. Jubal Yennie.  “The EXPLORE test does provide that function, but a recent report from ACT found that “the level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a larger impact on their college and a career readiness by the time they graduate from high school than anything that happens academically in high school.”

Students will receive detailed EXPLORE score reports in late fall.  “The implication is clear for Williamson County students especially since the School Board has established a goal of attaining an average score on the ACT that is significantly higher than the current student performance,” said Yennie.  “Educators are working harder than before to ensure that students are successful on the EXPLORE, and students need to put forth their best effort.“

You can learn more about the EXPLORE test at: www.act.org/explore or contact your school counselor.