Kentucky Department of Education

            Administration of the EXPLORE and PLAN assessments, which are provided by ACT, Inc., was mandated by Senate Bill 130 in the 2006 session of the Kentucky General Assembly. The two assessments and the ACT, which will be administered statewide for the first time in the spring of 2008, will help schools focus on meeting academic standards across the entire secondary school program. Scores from the assessments will be helpful in measuring student achievement, gauging their readiness for transition and evaluating school programs.

            As part of the ACT Index, PLAN scores will factor into accountability results for schools and districts for the 2006-07 school year; the inclusion of EXPLORE scores in accountability is under study. Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, scores from both PLAN and the ACT will be included in the ACT Index.

            The EXPLORE program is a high school readiness examination designed to help 8^th graders explore a broad range of options for their future. The exam assesses four subjects (English, mathematics, reading and science) and provides needs assessments and other components to help students plan for high school and beyond. 

            The PLAN program helps 10^thgraders build a solid foundation for future academic and career success and provides information needed to address school districts' high-priority issues. The exam assesses four subjects(English, mathematics, reading and science) and is a predictor of success on the ACT.

            In fall 2006,  49,510 8^th-grade Kentucky students in 324 public schools took the EXPLORE assessment. The scoring scale for the assessment is from 1 to 25.