Some Thoughts on the ACT Certified Educator™ Program

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated colleges' consideration of test-optional and test-blind policies, there are several reasons why exams like the ACT still play an important role in the college admissions process--and will continue to do so in the future.

In Arkansas, not only do all high school juniors take the exam but the state also relies on a combination of ACT and GPA for awarding the Academic Challenge Scholarship. Students can even earn an additional $25,000 in scholarship money to remain in state through the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship if they have a 32 ACT composite and a 3.5 unweighted GPA. Act 636 of 2021 includes provisions that will allow Arkansas students to use ACT "superscores" for scholarship eligibility in upcoming cycles.

All of that is to say that the ACT isn't going anywhere, and students aspiring to college scholarships or selective admissions should still consider the benefits of making a concerted effort to prepare for the exam. By extension, educators should also work with students to help them understand the test and schools offer opportunities for test prep beyond the free resources already available from ACT.

In assessing my own school's preparation and support services, I came across the ACT Certified Educator™ program last fall. According to ACT, "Successful completion of ACT Certified Educator certification affords educators the opportunity to document and display their ACT-preparation content knowledge and teaching skills. The ACT Certified Educator program provides valuable professional advancement for improving students’ learning and readiness for college, career, and life."

I'm a fan of digital badging and other forms of micro-credentials like Google Certified Educator, Canvas Certified Educator, and even MicroMasters® Programs like the University of Michigan's Leading Educational Innovation and Improvement experience through EdX. These offerings fill a gap for professionals who may not have the time, resources, or ability to commit to further graduate study but are looking for additional endorsement of their knowledge as well as documentation of their growth and commitment to lifelong learning.

While the ACT Certified Educator program still a relatively new initiative, the pandemic shifted the workshops online this past year. The net benefit is professional development that is more accessible thanks to the digital format. Participants typically begin with the one-day Basics course before moving on to any of the five additional subject areas: English, Reading, Writing, Math, and Science. With the exception of Writing, the subject area sessions are two days in length. In addition to the interactive workshop, participants must pass a timed qualifying exam (i.e., the actual subject test) on day one and then an exam on the workshop concepts at the end of day two.

While I was expecting participants to mostly be private tutors or independent college consultants, the majority of folks I have interacted with have been classroom teachers seeking ways to organically integrate content and strategies into their regular classes or those who are working in teams at their school to facilitate internal prep programs. Some are experienced in this domain, while others are figuring it out and maybe haven't really looked at an ACT since they took the test in high school. The format works surprisingly well for both groups.

But the question you're probably asking is, well, "Is the program worth the cost and time?" On the whole, I would say yes, though I'd like to highlight some benefits and some nominal concerns below.

Quality Materials: The proprietary Educator Guide, which is a PDF textbook, is a great reference point for the course that can be later adapted for use with one's students. Most of the sessions I have attended align closely with the text, which participants generally receive the week before the workshop. It's not absolutely necessary to read the full text beforehand, though I've tried it both ways and find that I've gained more from the discussions not going into the workshop cold.

Focus on Strategy: This is where the program shines. While there is "core content" that the ACT assesses, it's not unfair to note that success on the ACT--especially for those seeking scores well beyond the basic benchmarks--require familiarity with the test itself, formatting, the types of questions, question foils, and other nuances. I've found the framing more effective for educators than what's available even in the Official ACT Prep Guide, which is revised annually. Anyone who has taken the ACT knows it can be a race against the clock, and those strategies are taken into account. The course also prioritizes ways to not only work with large groups of students but really the kinds of things that educators can do to map strategy to individual needs.

Digital Testing: Most of us think of the ACT as a paper-based test. As more testing centers, states, and even schools embrace the computer-based testing format, it's essential that educators become familiar with the nuances of this approach.

There are a couple of concerns I do have about the program.

Cost: At $299 for the required Basics course before an additional $299 for Writing and $549 for each of the English, Reading, Math, and Science certifications, an individual or district could spend $2794 per person to complete the full endorsement. Granted, attending a state, regional, or national professional conference for PD and networking can add up quickly, but the cost may be prohibitive for some.

Transparency in Process: I haven't been able to determine why the program does not provide participants with their scores on either the subject qualifying test or the certification exam. All you get is a PASS or FAIL grade. The FAQ on the program has recently been updated to include estimates on passing scores on the subject exams: English—Average ACT score 20.3; Reading—Average ACT score 21.4; Math—Average ACT score 20.7; Science—Average ACT score 21.0. The scores track fairly closely to the ACT benchmarks, though I wouldn't say it suggests mastery of the subject area. ACT has only released preliminary data and research on the program's efficacy in a 2019 study.

No Incentive to Complete the Set: One recommendation I do have--and have mentioned in my feedback after the courses--is the consideration of a Master Certification for those who complete all six subjects. Anecdotally, the number of individuals who have been certified in all areas as of last fall was relatively small, but I suspect that number will expand rapidly with the digital format and natural growth of the program. Still, a tangible incentive to either recognize those who complete the set or even sit for a comprehensive, further assessment should be considered.

Re-Certification Ahead: The certification is good for two years. Again, the program is so new that little information is available on what re-certification will look like in both cost and practice when that time comes.