ACT Activity Magazine Winter 2013

activitywinter 2013

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F A C T

improve yourself TM

[ CEO message ]

The Power of Transformative Change

The past few months have brought transformative change to ACT as we “walk the talk” of our improve yourself campaign. Across the organization, we are enhancing ACT’sproducts and services so that we can continue to make a real difference in the lives of the millions of students and adults we serve each year.Blending the best of our traditions with an innovation-first outlook, we are building upon

the vision of our founder, E.F. Lindquist, as we develop our next generation of assessmentsto serve the kindergarten-through-career continuum.By helping individuals use ACT’s information and insights to understand where they are

on their journeys, we can also help them advance their lives through a cycle of improve,prove, and then improve again. As we pursue these improvements, we’ve sought input from provocative thought leaders

in education and the workforce. At our annual meeting last fall, Steve Perry, founder andprincipal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut, and AnthonyCarnevale, director and research professor, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, challenged us to think differently about how we approach our work.A few weeks earlier, ACT had hosted Michael Horn, coauthor of Disrupting Class: How

Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns, and Charles Fadel, coauthor of 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times. These speakers also encouraged us to consider and embrace innovative approaches that challenge the status quo. Heraclitus said, “All is flux, nothing stays still.” So it is at ACT. We’ll continue to keep you informed about ACT initiatives through both traditional

and social media channels. We hope you will keep an eye on ACT as we transform ourorganization to help millions more people achieve education and workplace success.

1WWW.ACT.ORG activity

[ contents ]

features

6 ACT Annual Meeting

8 America’s Recovery

10 ACT Board of Directors

12 ACT Year in Review

16 Get Skills to Work

21 Green Initiatives

24 Spotlight on ACT Clients

8 2216 14

6

18

departments

———————

2 activity update———————

4 ACT insights———————

14 best practices———————

18 international news———————

22 success story———————

2 WINTER 2013activity

[ activity update ]

A New Year, A New ACT

Edward W Walters III,

Vice President, ACT Marketing

and Communications

Calvin Coolidge said the mostcommon commodity in this country is unrealized potential. At ACT, we are taking these words to heart. We are working to expand the

organization’s reach so that we can help millions more people realize their potential.Over the course of the year ahead, ACT will continue to

transform its image from that of a testing company to that of an insights company. We’ll be supporting and validating our new image by:

• Building on our 50+ years of data that help inform education policy, processes, and curriculum

• Providing meaningful information that helps individuals and organizations unlock their full potential

• Offering insights to assist with critical life decisions from kindergarten through career

• Delivering a skills credentialing system that matches job seekers with employers’ needs

This is all part of our improve yourself concept geared at helping people improve themselves, their schools, theirorganizations, and their workplaces. In this issue of activity, we show you how ACT solutions align with this goal.ACT annual meeting speakers challenged us to consider

new ways to close the education and workplace gaps (page 6).A collaborative effort between secondary and postsecondary

schools in Oklahoma connects middle and high school students to possible STEM careers (page 14).A new workforce initiative uses the ACT National Career

Readiness CertificateTM to train military veterans for jobs inadvanced manufacturing (page 16). International efforts are improving the lives of students and

workers in China and Honduras (page 18). ACT WorkKeys® helped a Missouri man translate his military

skills to a civilian job (page 22). You can also learn about thought leadership from the ACT

Office of Strategic Initiatives (page 4), read about recentsuccesses of our workforce initiatives (page 12), and find outabout ACT’s green culture of sustainability (page 21). We hope you enjoy learning about the “new” ACT and the

ways we are working to help people improve their lives everyday. How have ACT solutions helped you change direction and improve your life? Contact us at [email protected] to share your successes or provide feedback. We look forward to hearing from you.

Volume 51, Number 1ISSN: 0001-7620

activity is published quarterly by ACT, Inc., 500 ACT Drive, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168.

ACT is an independent, not-for-profit organizationthat provides a broad array of assessment,research, information, and program managementsolutions in the areas of education and workforcedevelopment. Each year, ACT serves millions ofpeople in high schools, colleges, professionalassociations, businesses, and governmentagencies—nationally and internationally. ACToffers a wide range of solutions that share oneguiding purpose—to help people achieveeducation and workplace success.

activity is a free publication of ACT.

To receive activity in the mail, please sign up onthe activity website at www.act.org/activity orsend your name and address to [email protected] ACT, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168,Attn: MiniZIP 76.

All content ©2013 by ACT, Inc., and may not beused, reproduced, or altered in any way withoutprior written permission. All rights reserved.

Vice PresidentMarketing and CommunicationsEdward W Walters III

EditorsScott GomerTerri Gordy

Editorial DirectorCarol Romkey

Art DirectorGreg Carrier

DesignerMike Rasmusson

Copy EditorMary Bruce

PhotographyChris HayesDon KruegerMike RasmussonDylan Salisbury

ProductionChris Hayes

Print BuyerNeil Schmitz

DistributionKathy Kolbo

activityWINTER 2013

Fulfilling ACT’s mission of helpingpeople achieve education andworkforce success demands more than providing new andinnovative solutions and tools to help individuals.

It also requires ACT to bring forth fresh ideas andnew innovations to the nation’s education andworkforce systems by informing policy and practice atthe local, state, and national levels.The ACT Office of Strategic Initiatives, led by

Senior Vice President Ranjit Sidhu, works toidentify new and emerging issues and stimulatedialogue among the nation’s education andworkforce policymakers and thought leaders. “ACT has long been a trusted resource of

research-based insights to inform education andworkforce policy and practice,” said Sidhu. “Forour customers and those individuals dedicated to strengthening our nation’s education andworkforce systems, ACT has a responsibility toalso lead efforts to address the key systemicissues facing our nation.” The Office of Strategic Initiatives is responsible

for conducting policy research, advocating foreffective state and federal policies, anddeveloping key collaborations with education andworkforce development leaders who are criticalto implementing necessary reforms. Ensuring that research drives policy and best

practices is one of the hallmarks of ACT’s efforts toimprove the education and workforce developmentlandscapes. ACT is enhancing its policy researchefforts to provide greater support and insights topractitioners, policymakers, and researchers, creatinga road map for effective reforms.

In addition to informing education and workforcecommunities through research, ACT is playing a moreactive role in convening fellow education andworkforce leaders. Beginning in spring 2013, ACT will launch a series of forums to examine key educationand workforce issues facing our nation. These forumswill bring together policymakers, practitioners, andresearchers from the K–12, postsecondary, andworkforce sectors to discuss emerging issues and tospur action that will strengthen our nation’s educationand workforce systems. Sparking change also requires highlighting the

successes of current leaders in education andworkforce. ACT has launched an annual Collegeand Career Readiness Campaign, working withtop state officials to celebrate achievement andcreate awareness around the goal of college andcareer readiness for all.The campaign’s two primary components,

celebrating achievement and creating awareness,include the creation of a new annual awardsprogram at the state and national levels, and an opportunity to engage individuals in new ACT technologies tied to educational and career planning.The 2012–2013 campaign will culminate with a

national gala in the spring in Washington, DC, tohighlight state event honorees and to announcethe national winners who demonstrate the mostexemplary achievements, including an employer,a community college, a high school, and a highschool student, as determined by a nationalselection committee.

“The campaign is intended to showcase theexemplary work that is happening across the countryto advance the goal of college and career readiness for all,” said Scott Frein, ACT director of federal andstate advocacy, who is directing the campaign. “It alsoallows our customers to get a sneak peek at theinnovative, no-cost technologies ACT is developing tobetter prepare students for life after high school.”


[ ACT insights ]

ACT’s Office of Strategic Initiatives Leads Efforts to Improve the Education and Workforce Landscape

Ranjit Sidhu

Scott Frein


ACT NAMES VICE PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

LaMar Bunts has joined ACT as vice president, international programs, an area that offers education and

workforce services to organizations across the globe.

He will lead the development of an international strategy focusing on dynamic growth opportunities as

ACT implements its recently announced kindergarten-through-career product offerings. Bunts and his

team will work with all divisions of the company to provide solutions to individuals and organizations

outside the United States.

Most recently, Bunts was chief financial officer at Dell Computer End User Services Field Services unit, where he

was in charge of finance and strategy for the outsourcing startup. He also led business development in Latin America. Prior to

Dell, Bunts helped develop international business opportunities at Silicon Graphics and ITM Software.

ACT CEO Jon Whitmore said, “LaMar’s experience at Dell and other technology firms, as well as his deep knowledge and

expertise leading initiatives outside the United States, will be key to the strategic growth of ACT globally.”

ACT FOUNDATION LAUNCHES WITH APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ACT recently named Parminder Jassal as the first executive director of the ACT Foundation, which

serves to improve underserved students’ success in education and the workplace.

The ACT Board of Directors formed and funded the foundation in fall 2009 on the occasion of

ACT’s 50th anniversary.

As part of ACT CEO Jon Whitmore’s leadership team, Jassal will create, build, and implement the

foundation’s strategic vision. Her duties also include managing the organization’s staff, budget, and

resources, and cultivating innovative, strategic relationships.

The foundation will solicit proposals for efforts aligned with its mission and strategic priorities. It initially intends to fund

efforts that focus on supporting education and workplace success in the United States. In the future, the foundation will

have a broader reach, supporting global innovations in the same areas.

The initial grant focus will be specific to discovering innovative next-generation practices that simultaneously build credential

assets and career benefits for unsuccessful student populations. Credential assets are assets that describe what a person

has learned and demonstrated, such as certificates, certifications, degrees, badges, diplomas, continuing education units,

awards, proficiency data, and test scores. Career benefits can come in the form of higher pay, increased responsibilities,

better benefits, or targeted support to help employees develop their skill sets.

Jassal previously served as a program officer supporting postsecondary success for low-income young adults at the

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She has demonstrated expertise in using innovation to create transformative change.

“With the appointment of Parminder, our foundation moves from the organizational phase to an operational status,” said

Whitmore. “We are excited to welcome a founding executive director with a strong field presence and a proven track record.”

Steve Perry challenged ACT at theorganization’s annual meeting:build a smarter test or riskbecoming like a compass in aworld of GPS.

Perry, founder and principal of Capital PreparatoryMagnet School in Hartford, Connecticut, is on amission to transform the nation’s schools into placesthat provide meaningful educational experiences for allstudents. Since its inception in 2004, Capital Prep,

which is located in Hartford’s lowest-performingdistrict, has sent 100 percent of its graduates to four-year colleges. “If our objective is to ensure that more children go to

college, then we have to look at what the barriers tocollege are,” said Perry. “I suggest ACT create a test ora portion of a test that proves over a certain period oftime that a child can learn. If you continue to measurewhat children should know when you already knowwhat they don’t know, you will continue to get thesame results.”As the meeting’s keynote speaker, Perry spoke

candidly to ACT staff and guests about his experiences


as a poor kid who grew up thinking he wasn’t smart.He now holds a doctorate degree, has written fivebooks, and works withblack and Latinostudents, many ofwhom think they aren’tsmart either. “The conversation

we often have aroundintelligence is aboutwho is smart and whoisn’t smart,” said Perry.“Educators talk aboutthe impact of povertyand parenting on achild’s ability to learn,and your test [the ACT®

Test] has made it clearthat in the United States, 75 percent of thechildren are not prepared for college. Does that meanthat 75 percent of parents are bad, poor, or unwilling to push their children?” There was a time in America when students from

certain zip codes were considered to be smarter thanothers, he said. Alternative schools and programs arenow proving that some poor and disadvantagedchildren, when placed in academic environmentswhere expectations are high, can succeed. “This conversation around intelligence is so

important because what ACT does in so many waysseems to speak to intelligence. When someone doeswell on the ACT, we say that person is smart. But ACTneeds to educate children as to what intelligence isand what it isn’t,” he said. “What we want to know is—can they learn?

“ACT can create a smarter test that would betterprepare students for college. ACT does great work,and you have a phenomenal mission. I would like you to push yourselves closer to fulfilling the missionyou’ve set out to do.”


“What if you (ACT) created a test that measured what students can learn?” Steve Perry, ACT annual meeting speaker

Members of the New Century Saxophone Quartet entertain during lunch at theACT annual meeting. They played music, of course, but also took things a stepfurther by creatively sharing how their quartet is similar to a corporation. The only ensemble of its kind to ever win First Prize of the Concert Artists GuildCompetition, the quartet has made seven recordings and has performed at theWhite House, and in many other settings.

ACT CEO Jon Whitmore opens theannual meeting with a speech about thepower of ACT to create real change forpeople of all ages and backgrounds.

< Steve Perry, founder and principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School inHartford, Connecticut, helps children who are growing up much like he did.

ACT annual meeting team members and guests interact during the annual meeting.

www.act.org/about-us/annual-report/


The United States needs a “jolt” to get the economy back on track.

“We have a catch-22 situation,” said AnthonyCarnevale, director and research professor,Georgetown University Center on Education and theWorkforce. “We don’t have workers to attract high-skill, high-wage industries, and we don’t havehigh-skill, high-wage industries giving workersincentive to obtain the skills they need. We’re stuck,and the only way we can fix this is to have some sortof a jolt.”ACT leaders and annual meeting panelists

discussed what the “jolt” might entail and how ACTcould help. They responded to remarks Carnevalemade in a video interview.

“We need to unlock the collective power betweenthe education and the employer sectors,” saidParminder Jassal, executive director, ACT Foundation.“These sectors have been operating in isolation. We need to link them, so we can provide effectiveinformation that helps people plan their future.”Steve Kappler, ACT assistant vice president, college

and career readiness, said ACT’s commitment tomeasuring multiple dimensions of readiness—achievements, behaviors, and goals as part of theorganization’s new kindergarten-through-careercontinuum—can help people align their interests withintended college majors or career aspirations. “Theinsights behind these dimensions of readiness will help people create their own individual success paths,”he said.


Higher education needs to realign its programs anddelivery systems to meet the needs of today’s collegestudent, who is increasingly an adult with a job and afamily. Many of the nation’s colleges are set up forsequential learning, but as Kappler pointed out,“Students today are in and out of postsecondaryeducation and the workforce, and are taking manyyears to earn a degree.” Instead of the old model of an individual graduating

from high school, going to college, graduating, and then entering the job market, postsecondaryinstitutions have to change how they serve today’sstudents.Melissa Murer Corrigan, interim head, ACT

workforce development, said ACT can help prepareindividuals for constant career shifts with certificationprograms. “The more linkages we can providebetween education and what people are going to do inthe future, the more quickly we can get people into jobs.”

Working together with other organizations needs to be part of the jolt, she said. For example, ACT ispartnering with the Manufacturing Institute (MI) to help individuals gain skills certifications so they cansuccessfully compete in the twenty-first centuryeconomy. In less than a year, MI and its affiliates issued nearly 85,000 certifications—including the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate—tostudents and workers.“When we talk about low-skill workers and

high-skill jobs, we must also talk about collaborations to get people on the right paths,” said Murer Corrigan. Carnevale said technology is automating tasks

that are repetitive, meaning that workers must nowcompete for positions with nonrepetitive tasks thatrequire education or training beyond high school. The supply of postsecondary talent is increasing by about one percent a year, and the demand fortalent is increasing about three percent a year.“Our nation is in chaos,” said Jassal. “There are

voids in our economy, education system, highereducation, and workplace. As a public trust, ACT can fill these voids with strong and unified leadership,creative solutions, and a sense of urgency.”

< An ACT panel of experts responds to comments made by Anthony Carnevale,director and research professor, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. From left are Melissa Murer Corrigan, Steve Kappler, andParminder Jassal.

For the first time in ACT history, all ACT team members were invited to attend the ACT annual meeting: Improve the World, Improve Yourself. Nearly 800 team membersattended the event in person, while the website providing live-stream coverage recorded nearly 500 viewings.

ACT has added two new membersto the Board of Directors anddesignated three existing directorsas officers of the board.

The two new directors are:• Walter G. Bumphus, PhD, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

• Chad P. Wick, founder and director of theKnowledgeWorks Foundation

The new board officers are:• Chairman of the Board: Carl A. Cohn, professor andcodirector, Urban School Leadership at ClaremontGraduate University in Claremont, California. He hasbeen an ACT board member since 2006, andreplaces Mark Musick, who will remain on the board.

• Vice Chairman: Dixie Axley, vice president (retired) oflearning and development, State Farm InsuranceCompanies. She has served on the board since 2006.

• Secretary: Vivien Stewart, senior advisor forEducation, Asia Society in New York City. She joinedthe board in 2011.

Walter G. BumphusSince January 2011, Bumphus hasserved at AACC, which is the primaryadvocacy organization for more than1,100 two-year, associate’s degree–

granting institutions serving more than 13 million students. AACC is headquartered inWashington, DC.Prior to assuming his leadership role at AACC,

Bumphus served as a professor in the CommunityCollege Leadership Program and as chair of thedepartment of educational administration at TheUniversity of Texas in Austin. He previously served aspresident of the Louisiana Community and TechnicalCollege System and chancellor of Baton RougeCommunity College.

Bumphus holds bachelor’s and master’s degreesfrom Murray State University and a doctorate in highereducation administration from the Community CollegeLeadership Program at The University of Texas inAustin. He is a much sought-after speaker and adviserand has consulted with more than 85 communitycolleges and universities in the United States, Canada,and Puerto Rico.

Chad P. WickAs founder and director of theKnowledgeWorks Foundationheadquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Wickand his team work to bring the future of

learning to America’s high schools andcreate widespread, lasting change in the communitiesand states they serve. In Ohio, Wick led thedevelopment of the Ohio College Access Networkwhich assists the college aspirations of more than165,000 students each year, directs the concept ofturning urban neighborhood schools into CommunityLearning Centers, and redesigns many low performingurban high schools. Nationally, Wick led the creation of the National College Access Network and the NewTech Network, a group of nearly 130 high schools in 23 states. He has worked to achieve equity and respect for

diversity inside and outside the education arena,including achieving constitutional changes to supportlow-income housing. The recipient of many awards and accolades, Wick continues to drive initiatives thatwill help effectively prepare students for college, work,and citizenship.A veteran of the United States Air Force, Wick has

received honorary doctorates of humane letters fromboth the University of Cincinnati and Youngstown StateUniversity. Prior to founding KnowledgeWorks, heserved as president and chief executive officer of RISELearning Solutions, president of Mayerson Company,and as a banking industry executive.


ACT Expands Board of Directors and Names New Officers


Belle S. WheelanDirector

Chad P. WickDirector

Roberts T. JonesDirector Emeritus

J. Theodore SandersDirector Emeritus

Jon WhitmoreCEO

Joseph A. AguerrebereDirector

Dixie L. AxleyVice Chairman

Robert M. BerdahlDirector

James E. Bostic, Jr.Director

Sarita E. BrownDirector

Walter G. BumphusDirector

Carl A. CohnChairman

D. Robert GrahamDirector

Karen A. HolbrookDirector

Mark D. MusickDirector

Charles B. ReedDirector

Richard W. RileyDirector

Thomas G. RotherhamDirector

Vivien StewartSecretary

ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012–13

www.act.org/about-us/our-story/leadership/board/

ACT Year in Review


ACT launched Tomorrow’s WorkforceNow, an initiative that will conclude in 2013, offering ACT WorkKeysassessments and the ACT NationalCareer Readiness Certificate Plus(NCRC Plus) at no cost to thousandsof participating employers andworkers. Regional and communityorganizations—primarily communitycolleges—convened groups ofemployers not actively using the NCRC Plus.

Participating employers will test up to 20 individuals with four WorkKeysassessments: Locating Information,Reading for Information, AppliedMathematics, and Talent. They also will complete WorkKeys SupervisorSurveys for each person tested. These organizations became active in the initiative in 2012:

BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGEVirginia

DAN RIVER REGION COLLABORATIVEVirginia

EDGECOMBE COMMUNITY COLLEGENorth Carolina

FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGENorth Carolina

GASTON COLLEGENorth Carolina

MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGEMichigan

MICHIGAN WORKS BATTLE CREEKMichigan

SPARTANBURG COMMUNITY COLLEGESouth Carolina

Nearly 500 workforceprofessionals and 80 presentersparticipated inWorkforce 2012:ACT’s NationalWorkforceDevelopmentConference inChicago. Threekeynote speakersreinforced the needto get young peopleon the right path tosuccess early and forAmerica’s leaders tohelp ensure there areenough good jobsfor every worker.

Interest in Right Skills Now grew as more employers,educators, and job seekers learned about this fast-track, for-credit career training program aimed at getting work-ready talent to employers faster.Participants earned college credit and nationalindustry certifications, including the ACT NationalCareer Readiness Certificate (NCRCTM), preparingthem for immediate employment in manufacturing.The program combines classroom training withinternships and is aligned with the NAM-EndorsedManufacturing Skills Certification System.

Participants reported these early successes:

2012 January February March April May June July August September October November December

From new research reports to new educationand workforce initiatives to a company-widebrand campaign, 2012 was a busy year forACT. Here we take a look back at some of the highlights.

DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGYMinneapolis, Minnesota

18 completed the program.

16 had internships: 14 werehired by the company where they interned; 2continued their education.

SOUTH CENTRAL COLLEGEMankato and Faribault, Minnesota, campuses

37 completed the program.

29 had internships and were hired by the company where they interned; 8 continued their education.

TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGEReno, Nevada

64 applied to the program; 20 were selected toparticipate. 28 earnedNCRCs.

WESTERN NEVADA COLLEGECarson City, Nevada

37 received NCRCs. 18 completed the program, 15 of whom were hired bythe company where theyinterned.


ACT announced a brandcampaign focused onthe tagline “improveyourself.” The goal is forACT to move from beingknown as a testingcompany to becoming a company that providesinsights that helpindividuals unlock theirfull potential. This plancovers the continuumfrom kindergartenthrough career, helpingpeople achieve greatersuccess throughout their lifetime.

ACT announced ACTAspire, the first digital,longitudinal assessmentsystem to fully connectstudent performance fromelementary gradesthrough high school.Launching in 2014, ACTAspire will provideeducators, parents, andstudents with the insightsthey need to helpstudents get and stay ontrack for college andcareer readiness by betterconnecting assessment toteaching and learning.

The first round ofparticipants completedthe ACT Certified WorkReady Communities(CWRC) Academy, a 12-month executivetraining program thatguides groups through a successful start-up anddeployment of a statewideinitiative based on theNCRC. Missouri, SouthCarolina, Oregon, andKentucky have alllaunched CWRCprograms in their states.The next round ofparticipants—the states of Utah and Wyoming,and the Dan River RegionCollaborative in southernVirginia—will complete the academy in July 2013.ACT expects to announcea third round ofparticipants this winter.

A record 690 admissionsand enrollment managersfrom 304 colleges anduniversities across theUnited States, Canada,and Puerto Ricoattended ACT’s annualEnrollment PlannersConference in Chicago.ACT introduced newresearch, the ACTEnrollment ManagementTrends Report, whichprovides collegeadministrators withinsights about the morethan 1.6 million 2011high school graduateswho took the ACT Test.

2013January February March April May June July August September October November December

An Oklahoma summer academyprogram is providing a life-changingcollege and career experience formiddle and high school studentsacross the state.

It’s also helping increase the percentage ofOklahoma students who meet ACT College ReadinessBenchmarks in mathematics and science. And it’sintroducing them to science, technology, engineering,and mathematics (STEM) careers, which are projectedto be in high demand in the coming decade.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education(OSRHE) funds the summer academies through grantsto participating in-state colleges and universities. While open to all Oklahoma students, the academiesare geared toward those who may be first-generationcollege students and those who may show potential in the STEM fields.

Since 1990, nearly 20,000 students haveexperienced campus life while exploring career optionsin STEM. Students stay on campus for the one- ortwo-week academies, which combine classroomlearning with hands-on experience. A total of 33 academies on 21 campuses will serve about 1,000 students in summer 2013.


“The academies help students figure out what theycould be when they grow up,” said Cindy Brown,director of the summer academies, and director,student preparation for OSRHE. “They build instudents a sense of accomplishment in mathematicsand science.”The summer academies have also played a role

in improving Oklahoma students’ scores on ACTExplore® and ACT Plan®, both of which OSRHE hasfunded since 1993 on a voluntary basis for allOklahoma public and private schools. Over the pastfive years, the percentage of state’s students meetingthe ACT College Readiness Benchmarks has

increased from 32 percent to 37 percent formathematics and from 24 percent to 26 percent for science. In addition, the academies are achieving one of their

main purposes: increased interest in STEM careers.OSRHE research shows that Oklahoma students whohave indicated an interest in math or science throughACT Explore are significantly more likely to complete amath or science degree than those who don’t indicatethat interest. “We know from national data that students who

have an academic goal early are more likely to focuson academic preparation for college. This makes the State Regents’ investment in these summeracademies even more important to the future of ourstate and our students,” said Brown.


[ best practices ]

“I’ve seen firsthand how the summer academies have changedsome students’ lives and given them a whole new view of whattheir futures could entail.” Jeannie Huggins, science teacher, Tulsa, Oklahoma

SUMMER ACADEMY OUTCOMES

A close look at the data for Oklahoma summer academy

participants and their future Oklahoma collegiate

experience indicates that:

• They are about twice as likely to declare a science,engineering, or math major than all Oklahoma college

students.

• They are better prepared when they arrive at collegeas evidenced by a remediation rate about one third

that of the state average. Remediation means students

must take developmental classes before tackling

credit-bearing college courses.

• More than 80 percent attend an Oklahoma college oruniversity immediately after high school graduation,

compared to 58 percent of the state’s total high school

graduates.

• More than 80 percent earn at least a bachelor’sdegree at an Oklahoma college or university,

compared to about 50 percent of the state’s total high

school graduates.

Students participating in a summer academy in Oklahoma collect samplesalong a stream for testing in a college laboratory. The summer academiesprovide middle and high school students with hands-on learning experiences in math, science, and related disciplines.

www.okhighered.org/summer-academies


The ACT National CareerReadiness Certificate (NCRC) ispart of a new coalition’s initiativeto train 100,000 military veteransfor jobs in advancedmanufacturing by 2015.

The Get Skills to Work coalition, which includes theManufacturing Institute (MI), GE, Boeing, LockheedMartin, Alcoa, and other members, is using Right SkillsNow to prepare veterans for immediate employment inmanufacturing jobs and to give them a foundation foradvancement in higher education and careers.Participants in Right Skills Now programs can earncollege credit and national industry certifications,including the NCRC, in as little as 16 weeks.Right Skills Now is a for-credit career credentialing

program aimed at helping employers find the highlyskilled, work-ready workers they need. ACT ispartnering with the President’s Council on Jobs andCompetitiveness, MI, and the National Institute ofMetalworking Skills on Right Skills Now programs inseveral states. An estimated 600,000 high-tech manufacturing jobs

remain open in the United States, and more than 82 percent of manufacturers report they cannot findpeople to fill their skilled production jobs. One millionveterans are expected to leave the armed forces overthe next four years and transition to civilian careers. Initial investments from GE, Alcoa, Boeing, and

Lockheed Martin will help 15,000 veterans translatemilitary experience to corresponding advancedmanufacturing opportunities and gain the technicalskills they need to qualify for careers in this growingsector. These four companies currently employapproximately 64,000 United States military veterans.

“Get Skills to Work provides manufacturers theopportunity to grow their own future talent here athome, while also honoring our returning veterans with fast-track, effective job training programs that will help them transition into the civilian workforce,”said Jon Whitmore, ACT chief executive officer. “The leadership shown by these industry captains is just the kind of roll-up-your-sleeves effort Americaneeds to get our economy back on track.”


www.getskillstowork.org

“The Get Skills to Work coalition is an ideal adaptation of Right Skills Now geared to veterans, a segment of our workforce we absolutely must support.” Jon Whitmore, ACT

HOW IT WORKS

The Get Skills to Work coalition helps military veterans:

• Assess and translate military skills to those neededin civilian roles.

• Qualify for a Military Manufacturing Badge, whichtranslates military jobs to civilian positions inadvanced manufacturing. Veterans will also receive help building professional profiles andrelevant skills.

• Identify skill gaps, locate a Right Skills Now program at community and technical colleges, take coursesand earn industry-recognized certifications, andapply for apprenticeships/internships or jobs.

• Start a new career in advanced manufacturing andcontinue to add credentials for advancement.

Manufacturers with openings for skilled workers can:

• Become a member of the Get Skills to Work coalition.

• Share best practices with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, a coalition partner organization.

• Search for veteran applicants on the US Manufacturing Pipeline website.

• Participate in a local Right Skills Now training and hiring program.

• Interview and hire skilled workers who have proven credentials.



[ international news ]

An international nonprofitorganization is using ACTsolutions in Honduras to increasethe quality of the country’sworkforce to meet employerdemands for higher skill levels.

Over the next two years, Education DevelopmentCenter, Inc. (EDC) will test up to 15,000 individuals inHonduras with the Spanish-language version of ACTWorkKeys assessments and expects to award theACT International Career Readiness CertificateTM

(ICRC) to at least 11,000 of them. EDC is targeting people ages 16 to 29, who are

considered at risk. This includes students about tograduate from high school, high school graduates whocannot pass college admission exams or who areworking at entry-level jobs, and those who have notcompleted high school. Each year in Honduras nearly 100,000 students

(58 percent) do not complete ninth grade, and125,000 (75 percent) do not finish high school. Sixty-seven percent of the population in Honduras is younger than 29 years old. “We are helping young people who have limited

access to education and training opportunities improvetheir foundational skills and demonstrate those skills topostsecondary institutions and employers,” said AnaCarolina Rubi, workforce development specialist, EDC. EDC supervises administration of ACT WorkKeys

assessments in Honduras’ three largest cities—Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and nearbymunicipalities, and La Ceiba—and expects to

expand to other regions. The organization is focusingon areas that have high violence incidence rates, asyoung people living in such areas are often exposed togangs and other criminal activity, said Gustavo Payan,project director, EDC.“We want to reach out to them with training and

certification. We have found that every successfulintervention with at-risk youth helps build their self-confidence and empowers them to becomeproductive citizens,” he said.The organization currently operates 38 test centers

and plans to open approximately 30 more over thenext two years. The United States Agency forInternational Development is sponsoring the project. EDC officials are promoting the value of WorkKeys

and the ICRC to Honduran employers in major sectors,such as textiles, tourism, and construction. “Like otherareas of the world, Honduras is experiencing a gapbetween the skills workers have and the skillsemployers are requiring. Employers want workerswhose skills have been certified,” said Payan.EDC is also partnering with higher education

institutions to bridge the gap between education and workforce. Every year, thousands of students fail to pass admission exams required for university entrance. EDC is using Spanish-language ACTKeyTrain® curricula to help students improve their skills,which is leading to considerable increases in admissionexam scores. KeyTrain, an interactive learning tool,helps students master the applied workplace skillsdefined by WorkKeys.“The ACT tools are helping Hondurans improve

their skills and gain access to higher education andemployment,” said Payan.

www.actinternationalservices.com/en/certificate/

WHAT IS EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER?

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit organization that

designs, delivers, and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the

world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity.

Headquartered in the United States, EDC conducts 250 projects in

23 countries around the world.

ACT has entered into a strategicalliance with ATA, Inc., to addresskey education and workforcedevelopment needs in the greater China market. ATA is the leading privately held testingand assessment services providerin China.

The agreement, announced at a signing ceremony in Beijing, enables ACT and ATA to engage in researchand market development activities that leverage ACT’sassessment experience and ATA’s knowledge of theunique characteristics of the China market, includingHong Kong and Macau.“We are excited to enter into this strategic alliance

with ATA to better serve the market,” said JonWhitmore, ACT chief executive officer. “Ourcompanies’ areas of expertise are highlycomplementary and synergistic. Having a localassociate adds value to our future strategic market

development. With this alliance, we are aiming toprovide better services to students, educators,employers, and other stakeholders in China.”“It’s a great pleasure to form a strategic alliance with

an authoritative testing and assessment body from theUnited States like ACT,” said Walter Wang, president of ATA. “ATA is a leading provider of computer-basedtesting and assessment services in China with richexperience in serving the local market. Working withACT will promote the development of local educationand talent markets.”

WHAT IS ATA?

ATA offers comprehensive services for the creation and

delivery of computer-based tests based on its proprietary

testing technologies and test delivery platform. ATA’s

computer-based testing services are used for

professional licensure and certification tests in various

industries, including information technology services,

banking, teaching, securities, insurance, and accounting.


ACT CEO Jon Whitmore (left) and ATA President Walter Wang shake hands aftersigning an agreement to form a strategic alliance.


ACT is adopting a green culture that goes far beyondrecycling, shutting off lights, and providing team members with reusable mugs.

As our corporate sustainability statement states:“ACT cares about the environment, the community,and our people. ACT is committed to reducing theimpacts of our operations on the environment,positively influencing the communities in which weoperate, and promoting the health and wellness of ourteam members and stakeholders.”“Our team members spend many hours a day at

work, and we want to provide them with a safe andhealthy environment both inside and outside ourbuildings,” said Deb Smilski, ACT assistant vicepresident of central services. “At the same time, ourgoal is to encourage integration of these sustainabilitypractices into their personal lives.” ACT has taken

many stepstoward meetingour sustainabilitygoals:• Built a datacenter that wasthe first in theUnited Statesto receiveLeadership inEnergy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinumcertification. The LEED program is a voluntary rating system for energy efficient buildings overseenby the US Green Building Council, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to a prosperousand sustainable future for our nation through

cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Inthe near future, ACT plans to renovate other facilitiesusing LEED criteria.

• Installed solar-powered electric car-chargingstations, becoming one of 26 Iowa organizationsnationally registered by the US Department ofEnergy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center StationLocator website as a free stop for those who driveelectric cars.

• Incorporated sustainability practices into a courtyardrenovation project, including a water-efficientirrigation system, which runs when moisture sensorssense there is not enough water in the ground. Theirrigation system is controlled through a computersystem that is monitored daily. The project alsoincludes indigenous plants, water features that utilizerecirculating pumps and runoff water, and LEDlighting.

• Developed an interactive “Energy Consumption”dashboard that illustrates our buildings’ use ofelectricity, water, and gas. Team members can viewthe “EC Dashboard” in the ACT dining center.

• Received a Certificate of Achievement fromAudubon International for environmental planning onACT’s 340-acre campus in Iowa City.

• Established a green team—a group of teammembers who promote and support green initiativeswithin their departments. Bright Green Strategy, asustainable business consulting firm, is leading thegreen team’s efforts.

Added Smilski, “As our sustainability efforts evolve,we are continuing to help our team membersunderstand the importance of green living and theimpact our choices have on the environment.Sustainability is a lifestyle that we hope all ACT teammembers will embrace.”

www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations/

ACT Leads the Way on “Green” Culture

ACT’s Primary Data Center was the first data centerin the United States to earn LEED certification.


Kevin Reaves needed a way to takethe skills he learned in the militaryand translate them to a civilian job.

Taking the ACT WorkKeys assessments andreceiving an ACT National Career Readiness Certificate(NCRC) has helped him do just that. “It was exciting to find out the level of my skills, how

they apply to civilian jobs, and that they are the skillsemployers seek in employees,” said Reaves. “I definitely recommend that veterans looking for civilianjobs earn an NCRC credential. It will benefit you.”The silver-level certificate Reaves earned got his

foot in the door at Able Manufacturing and Assembly in Joplin, Missouri, where he assembles cabs forspecialty vehicles, such as those used in theconstruction, mining, and agriculture industries. Able is a full-service supplier for major original equipmentmanufacturers, including Kawasaki, Caterpillar, CaseNew Holland, and Siemens Corporation.

Reaves knew if he wanted a good job with one ofthe best employers in the Joplin area he’d need anNCRC credential. “It’s pretty well known in this areathat some of the most reputable employers—thecompanies everyone wants to work for—require orrequest an NCRC credential,” he said. Susan Adams, director of human resources at

Able, can attest to that point. “The Joplin businesscommunity has truly embraced the NCRC credential.The word is out that an applicant’s resume orapplication will get quick attention if it has thiscredential attached to it.”Since 2008, Able has used the certificate as a tool

for evaluating applicants at the company’s two plantsin Joplin and a third plant in Pittsburg, Kansas. “Weprefer applicants who have the NCRC credential, butwe don’t require it,” said Adams. “However, it’s unusualfor us to see applicants who don’t have it.”Reaves is one of 23 military veterans Able has hired

since 2010 under the Missouri Show-Me Heroesprogram, which connects veterans to jobs when theyreturn home from active service. He served as anavionics technician in the US Navy. “Able has always encouraged military veterans to

apply for positions at our company because we knowmany of them have the skills we require,” said Adams.“We encourage them to earn an NCRC credential todemonstrate to us how those skills can be used in our jobs.”


[ success story ]

More than 2,400 Missouri employershave joined Governor Jay Nixon’s Show-Me Heroes program, leading to the hiring of more than 3,600 Missouriveterans. The program asks Missouriemployers to recognize the sacrificesmade by returning veterans by pledgingto interview veterans first for jobopenings. Governor Nixon presented AbleManufacturing and Assembly a “Flag ofFreedom” award for the company’sparticipation in the program.

“The ACT WorkKeys assessments were a real eye-opener. They showed me what I’m capable of doing.”Kevin Reaves, Able Manufacturing and Assembly

www.act.org/solutions/career-success/assessments/

< Kevin Reaves’ NCRC helped him snag a job with a top employer.


NORDSTROM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FULFILLS COLLEGE DREAM

Mirna Ponce received a scholarship from Nordstrom in 1994.She earned a BA in comparative literature from the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley, and an MPH in epidemiology and an MA inLatin American Studies, both from UCLA. She is an epidemiology

analyst with the county of Los Angeles. Ponce plans to pursue aPhD in epidemiology and to contribute research that influences

policies for healthier communities. “My family couldn’t afford to send me to college. TheNordstrom scholarship helped me realize my lifelong dream of attending college. Itgreatly alleviated the stress of paying for college and made it possible for me to go tograduate school.”

Amount of scholarship: $10,000 over four years; $2,500 per year

Application period: January 30, 2013 to May 1, 2013 (applications);May 16, 2013 to May 31, 2013 (recommendations)

Basic eligibility requirements:

High school junior who:

• Lives and attends school in one of the participating 31 stateswhere Nordstrom has a full-line store. Check the links below forstore locations.

• Has at least a 2.7 grade point average throughout high school.

• Volunteers or participates in community services orextracurricular activities.

www.act.org/nordstrom; http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/nordstrom-cares-scholarship

KOHL’S CARES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HONORS VOLUNTEER SERVICE

Matthew Ferguson was a Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program 2012national winner. He is a freshman at Northern Arizona University,pursuing a double major in business management and economics.At age 14, Ferguson developed a program called “Matt’s Chemo

Bags” after helping his mom through breast cancer. The program isnow a nonprofit organization that raises funds to purchase personal care

items for bags, which are given to cancer patients. “The Kohl’s scholarship helped pay formy first year of college, and also earned recognition for my organization from Nickelodeonand the TeenNick HALO award. My future plans include owning a business that helpspeople and growing Matt’s Chemo Bags into a nationwide community service project.”

Amount of scholarship: $1,000 and $10,000

Application period: February 1, 2013 to March 15, 2013


• Legal resident of the United States (except Hawaii), betweenthe ages of 6 and 18 as of March 15, 2013, and not yet ahigh school graduate.

• Nominated by someone age 21 years or older.

• Winners are chosen based on the benefits and outcomes oftheir volunteer service.

www.act.org/kohls

DELL SCHOLARS PROGRAM OPENS DOORS TO A BETTER LIFE

Angelica Tello was named a Dell Scholar in 2005. Shegraduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a major inpsychology. She plans to earn a master’s degree or PhD incounseling or psychology and help children and families whoare going through difficult situations to achieve their goals. “The

Dell Scholars Program scholarship impacted my life in many ways. Itallowed me to pursue my dreams for my career and also broadened my educationalexperience with a study abroad program in Mexico, which provided the basis for mysenior year research project. Plus, it reduced the financial pressures on my motherand influenced my younger siblings to go after their dreams as well.”

Amount of scholarship: $20,000

Application period: November 1, 2013 to January 15, 2014


• US citizen or permanent resident graduating from an accreditedhigh school this year, earning a minimum of a 2.4 grade pointaverage, and participating in a Michael & Susan Dell Foundationapproved college readiness program for a minimum of two ofthe last three years.

• Scholars are chosen based on demonstrated desire and abilityto overcome barriers and to achieve goals, as well asdemonstrated need for financial assistance.

www.dellscholars.org

Spotlight on ACT Clients

ACT AspireTM is a newly designed summative assessment and classroom-based formative system

n Empirically linked to ACT College Readiness Benchmarks and aligned toCommon Core State Standards so you can determine if students are on track for college and career readiness

n Provides integrated longitudinal assessment data for student growth modeling and reporting

n Helps pinpoint what students know and are able to do, informing planning and intervention

n Is anchored by the ACT® Test as the system capstone for college readiness

n Uses multiple question types, including technology-enhanced questions, to better assess student knowledge, improve test experiences, and provide more meaningful insights

n Will launch in 2014 with the ability to administer via computer or a pencil-and-paper option

Learn more at www.act.org/aspire

improve yourselfTM

Connecting student performance fromelementary grades through high school

Launching in 2014!

Nonprofit OrgUS Postage P A I DACT

500 ACT DriveP.O. Box 168Iowa City, Iowa 52243-0168

Rev 1© 2013 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved. 18651 *07000113W*

Coming in Spring 2013:

Defining Work Readiness Standards for the K-Career Continuum

Watch for two new research reports from ACT that focus on strengthening America’s workforce and global competitiveness.

Documents

ACT Activity Magazine Winter 2013