Prairie State Achievement Examinations

Prairie State Achievement Examinations are scheduled for April 28-29, 2010. Click on the link on the right hand side of the page for online test preparation tools.

PSAE Preparation

LOCKPORT TWP HIGH SCH DIST 205
Message sent - 12/23/2009
PSAE

Dear junior parents and guardians,
As all of our students prepare for the conclusion of first semester exams and a well deserved break, we would like to make you aware of some important resources that are available to our junior student as they begin to prepare for the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) later this spring. As you may know, the PSAE is an important series of tests which the state of Illinois uses in measuring the progresses of students and the high schools they attend. One vital element of the PSAE is the ACT which has the added significance of playing an important role in the college admissions process.
To help prepare for these tests, Lockport Township High School students have free access to three online test preparation programs: ACT Online, Test GEAR and Key Train. Key Train is a program which helps students with the Work Keys portion of the PSAE while both ACT Online and Test GEAR help students to prepare for the ACT. These programs can be accessed via a link on the front page of the LTHS website which can be found at www.lths.org. Juniors have been provided information on accessing these programs through study hall meetings with counselors.
To ensure that all students have an opportunity to avail themselves to these resources, teachers in English, Mathematics and Science have assigned all junior students to complete the following elements of the ACT Online by the associated date:
January 22, 2010: Diagnostic Test
February 19, 2010: First Practice Test
March 19, 2010: Second Practice Test
For students who may not have access to the internet at home, our Media Center has extended hours during which students can avail themselves to such resources. While the assignments are specific to ACT Online, we would also encourage students to explore and complete elements of the other online programs which are available to students. In addition, the school will be hosting an ACT preparation course for those who might be interested. Additional information on this course will be forthcoming soon.
We hope that you take some time over the coming weeks to talk to your students about these tests. While we know that test preparation—whether in class or through programs such as those described above—is important, the most important predictor of success on these tests remains a daily commitment to academic success on the part of students. We also know that such tests bring with them a high level of anxiety for many students. Please assure them that by spending some time preparing that they will have every opportunity to demonstrate the good work they have done during their high school years.
If you have any questions on these or any other matters, do not hesitate to contact the school. We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.

K. Brett Gould
Principal of East Campus

Peter M. Sullivan
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction