Minooka High School teachers appeared before the school board to outline the school's strategy for raising ACT scores Sept. 15.
The main goal is to get students ready for college, said Minooka Community High School Principal Dr. Dan McDonnell.
"We are talking with teachers — how can we get better?" he said.
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The ACT test, given to students their junior year, is a way to judge that progress. Minooka Community High School's composite score, the average from all four test sections, was 21.3 in 2010 and 2011. To compare, the state average was 20.9 and the national average was 21.1 in 2011.
Instructional leaders from the four ACT content areas updated the board on the strategies they use in the classroom to get students ready for the test.
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English instructional leader Cheryl Pillsbury said ACT test strategies are being introduced as early as freshman year. ACT test questions are added to assessments and timed practice tests are given to let students get used to the format.
And, Pillsbury added, they are rewarded for their efforts.
"Students need that extra pat on the back to move forward," she said.
Geometry is being offered in a double block of class time to math students this year, said math instructional leader Shawn Capodice. This longer class time allows more focus on the math and more time to learn testing strategies.
"We're excited to see what's going to happen to scores with the double-blocked geometry this year," said Capodice.
Social studies instructional chair Glenda Smith said students are learning reading and writing skills with quizzes, reading activities and practice tests that mimic the ACT testing environment. U.S. history students get practice tests each quarter, also giving them the chance to compare their results.
"It's a wonderful thing to have that data available," said Smith.
In science classes, students are graphing their test results to track their progress and also to sharpen graphing skills.
"It's about thinking like scientists," said science instructional chair Donna Engel. "It allows students to take responsibility for their own learning.”
A copy of the school's ACT report card is available at www.mchs.net.
In other school board news
Minooka High School Student Council members informed the board about homecoming events. This year's homecoming is Oct. 3-8. The theme this year is "Carnival." Homecoming events will include hallway decorating, a Powder Puff football game, a Pack-the-House volleyball game, a fun fair and dress-up days for Spirit Week.
Athletic Boosters President Rick Hofer awarded the Champion of the Children award to local business Pizza for U, for its sponsorship of the annual golf outing, which raised more than $33,000 for the boosters.
