The EXPLORE Test, given in October to freshmen, includes four multiple-choice tests:

English – The EXPLORE English Test measures understanding of standard written English: punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure, and the use of strategy, organization, and style in writing.

Math – The EXPLORE Math Test measures mathematical reasoning. The test focuses on students’ ability to reason in math rather than on how well they have memorized formulas or can do involved computations.

Reading – The EXPLORE Reading Test measures the ability to understand written material from different school subjects. The skills measured include referring to details in the passage, drawing conclusions, and making comparisons and generalizations. The passages are typical of materials students might read in school.

Science – The EXPLORE Science Test measures scientific reasoning skills and the ability to understand scientific information and draw conclusions. Six sets of scientific information are presented in one of three formats: data representation (graphs, tables, and other forms), research summaries (descriptions of several related experiments), and conflicting viewpoints (two or more hypotheses that are inconsistent with one another).

PSAT/NMSQT (www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html)

PSAT/NMSQT, given in October to sophomores and juniors, is a standardized test that provides first hand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills.

PLAN (www.actstudent.org/plan)

The PLAN Test, given in November to sophomores, serves as the midpoint check of students’ academic progress in high school. The PLAN Test includes four multiple-choice tests:

English – The PLAN English Test measures understanding of standard written English: punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure, and the use of strategy, organization, and style in writing.

Math – The PLAN Math Test measures mathematical reasoning. The skills tested are those students learn in first and second year high school courses (Pre-Algebra, first-year Algebra and Plane Geometry).

Reading – The PLAN Reading Test measures reading comprehension by focusing on skills such as referring to details in a passage, drawing conclusions, and making comparisons and generalizations.

Science – The PLAN Science Test measures scientific reasoning skills, based on material that is typically taught in first and second year high school general science courses. The material includes topics in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, and Meteorology.

PSAE (www.isbe.state.il.us/assessment/psae/htm)

The Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) measures the achievement of grade 11 students relative to the Illinois Learning Standards for reading, math, science and writing.

The PSAE includes two days of testing: the ACT Plus Writing on Day 1, which includes the ACT battery of four multiple-choice tests (English, math reading and science) and a 30-minute writing test; and the WorkKeys exam on Day 2, which includes an ISBE-developed science assessment, and two WorkKeys assessments (applied math and reading for information).

H-F ASSESSMENT SYSTEM EXAM

To assess how well H-F students are performing at the local level, Homewood-Flossmoor High School has worked with the Ecra Group, a firm specializing in educational research, to develop an exam based on the H-F curriculum framework.  In 2005-2006, H-F students first took the newly designed H-F Assessment System exam, which tests students in the areas of reading, language arts, math, science, and writing.