Student Assessment
Prairie
State Achievement Examination (PSAE)
Announcements • General Information • Educator Information • Test Supervisor/Accommodations Coordinator Information
The Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) measures the achievement of grade 11 students in reading, mathematics, science, and writing.
The PSAE includes three components: (1) the ACT Plus Writing, which includes the ACT battery of four multiple-choice tests (English, mathematics, reading, and science) and a 30-minute constructed-response writing test with a single prompt question; (2) an ISBE-developed science assessment, and (3) two WorkKeys assessments (Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information).
Announcements
- 2009-10 Guidance – PSAE and the Receipt of a Regular High School Diploma (Posted 09/30/09)
- Interpretive Guide and
Report Formats (Spring 2009)
- Memorandum: Elimination of the Fall Retake for the PSAE and Exemptions from the PSAE Diploma Requirement
(Posted 08/11/09)
- Availability of ACT Scores from PSAE Day 1 Online

- Guidance: Illinois State Board of Education Assessment Accommodations Students with Disabilities: IEP and 504 2008-2009 School Year

- Comparison of New and Old Methodology for PSAE
(Posted 10/27/2008)
Information for
Illinois High Schools
This site is focused on the issues, challenges and experiences that Illinois high schools face every day. The State Board along with other professional organizations has tried to identify information that will support the work of high school educators in their vision to enhance teaching and increase learning.
PSAE Presentations
- 2010 PSAE - General Updates
(PDF)
(PPT) (Posted 10/08/09) - 2010 PSAE Mathematics
(PDF)
(PPT) (Posted 10/08/09) - 2010 PSAE Science
PDF
PPT (Posted 10/08/09)
Test Dates
Administration Year |
Spring Administration |
|
Initial Test Dates
|
Makeup Test Dates
|
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2010 |
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General Information
- ACT Assessment Test-Preparation Materials (off site)
- WorkKeys Test-Preparation Materials:
- Use of State ACT Tests for NCAA
- 2008-2009
PSAE Parent Brochure
- 2008-2009
Overview and Preparation Guide for PSAE Day 2
(contains sample items for students) (Posted 12/5/08) 
Information for Educators
- 2008-2009
PSAE Teacher's Handbook
(appendices D and E contains sample items)
(Posted 12/5/08) 
- Setting Standards on
the Prairie State Achievement Examination
- PSAE Performance Definitions
- PSAE Scale Score Cut Points
- 2001 PSAE Reliability Estimates
- Draft 2006 PSAE
Technical Manual

- Relationship
Between the ISAT and PSAE Scale Scores

- A Review of Illinois State Assessment System High School Scoring Patterns

Information for PSAE Test Supervisors / Accommodations Coordinators
- School Schedule and Site Options for Administration of the 2010 PSAE (includes Off-Site form)
(Posted 9/22/09) - 2009-10 Test Administration Policies
for ACT State Testing
(Updated 06/09) - PSAE Test Accommodations Coordinators Training Video for Day 1 (Posted 10/29/08)
- 2009-10 PSAE Answer Document Supplement for Day 1 and Day 2
(Posted 10/01/09)
- 2009-10 PSAE Day 2 Supervisor’s Manual of Instructions (Coming in January)
- 2009-10 PSAE Checklist of Dates
(Posted 10/01/09) - 2009-10 PSAE Test Accommodations Coordinator Checklist of Dates
(Posted 10/01/09) - PSAE Day 1 Accommodations Comparison: ACT-Approved and State-Allowed
(Posted 11/18/08) - 2009-10 Header Sheet for Requesting Day 1 PSAE Accommodations
(Posted 10/16/09) - 2009-10 Procedures and Form for Requesting Day 1 PSAE ACT-Approved Accommodations
(Posted 10/01/09) - 2009-10 Form for Requesting Day 1 PSAE State-Allowed Accommodations
(Posted 10/01/09) - 2009-10 Order Form for the ACT Practice Special Formats
(Posted 10/16/09) - 2009-10 ACT State Testing Transfer Form (Coming Soon)
- PSAE Spanish Format
(Updated 9/02/09) - PSAE Standard Testing
Requirements
(Posted 10/01/09) - 2009-10 Test Supervisor/Accommodations
Coordinator Qualifications and Responsibilities
(Posted 10/01/09) - 2008-09 PSAE Training Workshop Presentation for Testing Staff (Posted 3/02/09)
- 2008-09 PSAE Audio DVD Guidelines (Posted 12/22/08)
For PSAE questions not addressed on this site, please send e-mail to psae@isbe.net.






