The Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) measures the achievement of grade 11 students in reading, mathematics, science, and writing.

The final administration of PSAE occurred in spring 2014 and included three components: (1) the ACT Plus Writing, which includes the ACT battery of four multiple-choice tests (English, mathematics, reading, and science) and a writing prompt, (2) an ISBE-developed science assessment, and (3) two WorkKeys assessments (Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information).

In addition, in spring 2014, ACT’s WorkKeys Locating Information assessment was administered at district discretion after the three PSAE Day 2 tests. This allows students who earn qualifying scores the opportunity to be eligible for ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Scores for WorkKeys Locating Information assessment are not used in any PSAE score calculations.

Announcements

2014 PSAE Score Reports shipped earlier than expected to district superintendents and high school principals from Iowa City, IA on Wednesday, August 27. The 2014 Illinois State Goals Reports and WorkKeys score reports will begin shipping from Iowa City, IA on Friday, August 29. If you have questions about the reports, please contact the Division of Student Assessment at 866-317-6034.
2014 PSAE Final Scores Posted (08/05/14)
2014 Interpretive Guide and Report Formats (Spring 2014)
2014 PSAE Rescore Request Forms:
- Non-Chicago Districts (37-82)
- Chicago Public Schools –District 299 (37-82A)
State Assessment: Not Tested Reasons and Assessment Scores/Subscores Descriptions
2014 Established PSAE Test Sites and Codes
2014 PSAE Email Communication Archive
ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRCs) and Locating Information Data
2014 Writing Announcement for Grade 11 Testing
State Assessment Scale Score Cut Points for ISAT, PSAE, and IAA
What Colleges Have Decided about the Writing Test (ACT)
Availability of ACT Scores from PSAE Day 1 on the Web (See Page 19)
2013-14 ISBE Funded ACT Online Prep and EXPLORE/PLAN (For Schools/Districts)

PSAE Presentations

2014 PSAE Training Webinar Presentation (12/13)
2014 PSAE - General Updates Presentation PDF PPT (11/13)
2014 PSAE - Mathematics Presentation PDF PPT (11/13)
2014 PSAE - Science Presentation PDF PPT (11/13)

Test Dates

N/A

General Information

2014 Preparing for the ACT for PSAE Day 1 (ACT Website)
2014 Preparing for the ACT for PSAE Day 1 – Spanish version (ACT Website)
2014 Overview and Preparation Guide for PSAE Day 2 (09/13)
Interactive ACT Test-Preparation Materials (ACT Website)
Interactive WorkKeys Test-Preparation Materials:
- Applied Mathematics (ACT Website)
- Reading for Information (ACT Website)
Use of State ACT Tests for NCAA
2014 PSAE Parent Brochure
- Spanish

Information for Educators

2014 PSAE technical manual
2014 PSAE Teacher's Handbook (Appendices A and B contain sample items)
Setting Standards on the Prairie State Achievement Examination
PSAE Performance Definitions
PSAE Scale Score Cut Points
2001 PSAE Reliability Estimates
PSAE Technical Manuals
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
Relationship Between the ISAT and PSAE Scale Scores
A Review of Illinois State Assessment System High School Scoring Patterns

2014 Information for PSAE Test Supervisors/Accommodations Coordinators

2014 PSAE Training Webinar Presentation (12/13)
2014 PSAE Email Communication Archive (10/13)
2014 PSAE Checklist of Dates (09/13)
2014 Established PSAE Test Sites and Codes (02/14)
2014 School Schedule and Site Options for Administration of the PSAE (includes link to Off-Site form) (09/13)
2014 Establishment Mailing (09/13)
2014 Online PSAE Staff Profile Change Form (10/13)
2014 Day 1 Manual (09/13)
2014 Day 1 Manual for ACT-Approved Testing (09/13)
2014 Day 1 Manual for State-Allowed Testing (09/13)
2014 Answer Document Supplement (02/14)
2014 Day 2 Manual (10/13)
2014 Taking the ACT (10/13)
2014 Preparing for the ACT for PSAE Day 1 (ACT Website) (08/13)
2014 Overview and Preparation Guide for PSAE Day 2 (09/13)
2014 Avoiding Testing Pitfalls (10/13)
ACT Website for PSAE Day 1 State-Allowed Accommodations Orders
PSAE TestSites Online Website for PSAE Day 2 Standard Time and Accommodations Orders
Summary of Requirements (07/13)
Standard Time – Room Supervisor/Proctor Video Presentation (ACT Website: approximate running time: 30 minutes)
Accommodated Testing – Room Supervisor/Proctor Video Presentation (ACT Website: approximate running time: 30 minutes)

Accommodations-Specific Documents

2014 PSAE Training Webinar Presentation (12/13)
2014 PSAE Email Communication Archive (10/13)
2014 PSAE Checklist of Dates (09/13)
2014 Established PSAE Test Sites and Codes (02/14)
2014 School Schedule and Site Options for Administration of the PSAE (includes link to Off-Site form) (09/13)
2014 Establishment Mailing (09/13)
2014 Online PSAE Staff Profile Change Form (10/13)
2014 Day 1 Manual (09/13)
2014 Day 1 Manual for ACT-Approved Testing (09/13)
2014 Day 1 Manual for State-Allowed Testing (09/13)
2014 Answer Document Supplement (02/14)
2014 Day 2 Manual (10/13)
2014 Taking the ACT (10/13)
2014 Preparing for the ACT for PSAE Day 1 (ACT Website) (08/13)
2014 Overview and Preparation Guide for PSAE Day 2 (09/13)
2014 Avoiding Testing Pitfalls (10/13)
ACT Website for PSAE Day 1 State-Allowed Accommodations Orders
PSAE TestSites Online Website for PSAE Day 2 Standard Time and Accommodations Orders
Summary of Requirements (07/13)
Standard Time – Room Supervisor/Proctor Video Presentation (ACT Website: approximate running time: 30 minutes)
Accommodated Testing – Room Supervisor/Proctor Video Presentation (ACT Website: approximate running time: 30 minutes)

PSAE Resources for ELLs

2014 Guidance – Assessment Accommodations for Students with Limited English Proficiency (09/13)
ELL Accommodations Presentation (12/13)
2014 Taking the ACT - Spanish Version (ACT Website)
2014 Preparing for the ACT for PSAE Day 1 – Spanish version (ACT Website)
2014 Translated Test Instructions for use with LEP Students
- Day 1 Non-Test Portion
- Day 1 Test Instructions
- Day 2 Test Instructions
Spanish Video DVD Information (01/14)
2014 PSAE Parent Brochure
- Spanish

Questions

Any questions regarding PSAE Test Administration should be directed to: Megan Forness at mforness@isbe.net or psae@isbe.net or by calling Assessment Division at 866/317-6034.

Resources

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