Schools to offer ACT to all 11th-graders, including homeschoolers

Some local schools are offering students who do not attend public school opportunities to sign up for the ACT, which all 11th-graders now are required to take.

In January 2014, the state board of education approved the administration of the ACT to all 11th-graders in Missouri public and charter schools beginning in 2014-2015, with the exception of students who are eligible for the Missouri Assessment Program-Alternate.

Local students will take the test April 28, and a makeup day is slated for May 12.

The ACT includes four multiple-choice tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, as well as a written portion. Each section is timed, and the test will take about 3 1/2 hours to complete.

Cape Girardeau

All 11th-graders who live within the Cape Girardeau School District are eligible to take the ACT at the high school, including those who are homeschooled or attend a private school.

A preregistration day for students who don't attend Central High School will begin at 1:15 p.m. April 23 at the high-school commons area.

Students are required to bring an original, current identification issued by a city, state or federal government or their school.

Registration takes about an hour. Homeschooled students who plan to preregister should call a counselor at Cape Girardeau Central High School at 334-1111.

Scott City

Students who are homeschooled and reside within the Scott City School District can take the ACT at the school on the May 12 makeup date. They will need proof of residency and must call LaDonna Pratt at the high-school counseling center, 264-2138. The deadline to preregister is March 23.

Pratt said school officials decided homeschooled students would be more comfortable taking the test on the makeup day instead of testing with public school students April 28.

The Scott City School Board in February approved adding a one-semester ACT preparation course for juniors to the district's graduation requirements in light of the state's decision to administer the ACT to all 11th-grade students.

The graduation requirement will begin with the graduating class of 2019.

Details about preregistration dates for the Perryville and Jackson school districts were not immediately available Thursday. The information will be reported as soon as it is available.

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

1000 Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

3000 Main St., Scott City, Mo.