Student Assessment
Prairie
State Achievement Examination (PSAE)
The Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) measures the achievement of grade 11 students in reading, mathematics, science, and writing.
The spring 2014 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 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 will be administered at district discretion after the three PSAE Day 2 tests. This will allow students who earn qualifying scores the opportunity to be eligible for ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Scores for WorkKeys Locating Information assessment will not be used in any PSAE score calculations.
- 2014 Established PSAE Test Sites and Codes
(Updated 02/25/14) 
- 2014 PSAE Email Communication Archive (Posted 10/2/13)
- ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRCs) and Locating Information Data (Posted 09/23/13)
- Order Form for the ACT Practice Special Formats (ACT Website)
Note: Cassettes are no longer an option for the spring 2014 PSAE - 2014 Writing Announcement for Grade 11 Testing
- State Assessment: Not Tested Reasons and Assessment Scores/Subscores Descriptions
- ACT WorkKeys Locating Information and NCRC - General Information
- State Assessment Scale Score Cut Points for ISAT, PSAE, and IAA
- What Colleges Have Decided about the Writing Test (ACT)
- Impact of Grade 11 Definition on State Assessment
- Availability of ACT Scores from PSAE Day 1 Online
- 2013-14 ISBE Funded ACT Online Prep and EXPLORE/PLAN for schools/districts
- PSAE Archive
(Spring Administration |
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Initial Test Dates |
Makeup Test Dates |
Accommodations Testing Window |
PSAE Day 1: April 23, 2014 PSAE Day 2: April 24, 2014 (Wed.-Thurs.)* |
PSAE Day 1: May 7, 2014 PSAE Day 2: May 8, 2014 (Wed.-Thurs.)* |
PSAE Day 1: April 23 - May 7, 2014 PSAE Day 2: April 24 - May 8, 2014** |
*In spring 2014, the initial and makeup PSAE dates have shifted to Wednesday and Thursday due to many schools not planning to be in session on Monday, April 21, 2014..
**Students testing with accommodations must complete all Day 1 tests before beginning Day 2 tests.
**Students testing with accommodations must complete all Day 1 tests before beginning Day 2 tests.
- 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 (09/11/13)
- Interactive ACT Test-Preparation Materials (ACT Website)
- Interactive WorkKeys Test-Preparation Materials:
- Use of State ACT Tests for NCAA
- 2014
PSAE Parent Brochure
- 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
- Relationship
Between the ISAT and PSAE Scale Scores
- A Review of Illinois State Assessment System High School Scoring Patterns
- 2014 PSAE Training Webinar Presentation (Posted 12/05/13)
- 2014 PSAE Email Communication Archive (Posted 10/2/13)
- 2014 PSAE Checklist of Dates (09/23/13)
- 2014 Established PSAE Test Sites and Codes (Updated 02/25/14)
- 2014 School Schedule and Site Options for Administration of the PSAE (includes link to Off-Site form) (09/09/13)
- 2014 Establishment Mailing (09/23/13)
- 2014 Online PSAE Staff Profile Change Form (10/1/13)
- 2014 Day 1 Manual (09/25/13)
- 2014 Day 1 Manual for ACT-Approved Testing (09/25/13)
- 2014 Day 1 Manual for State-Allowed Testing (09/25/13)
- 2014 Answer Document Supplement (02/27/14)
- 2014 Day 2 Manual (10/25/13)
- 2014 Taking the ACT (10/09/13)
- 2014 Preparing for the ACT for PSAE Day 1 (ACT Website) (08/13)
- 2014 Overview and Preparation Guide for PSAE Day 2 (09/11/13)
- 2014 Avoiding Testing Pitfalls (10/24/13)
- ACT Website for PSAE Day 1 State-Allowed Accommodations Orders
(Note: User IDs and Passwords will be sent from ACT via email to Test Accommodations Coordinators the week of February 24, 2014) - PSAE TestSites Online Website for PSAE Day 2 Standard Time and Accommodations Orders
(Note: User IDs and Passwords for PSAE TestSites Online will be mailed to Test Supervisors in January 2014) - Summary of Requirements (July 2013)
- 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)
- 2014 ACT-Approved PSAE Day 1 Accommodations Late Consideration Form (Includes Transfer of Previously-Approved ACT Accommodations) (Posted 01/27/14)
- 2014 PSAE Day 1 ACT-Approved Accommodations Procedures and Forms (8/13)
- PSAE TestSites Online Website for PSAE Day 2 Standard Time and Accommodations Orders
(Note: User IDs and Passwords for PSAE TestSites Online will be mailed to Test Supervisors in January 2014) - ACT Website for PSAE Day 1 State-Allowed Accommodations Orders
(Note: User IDs and Passwords will be sent from ACT via email to Test Accommodations Coordinators the week of February 24, 2014) - 2014 Guidance – Illinois State Board of Education Assessment Accommodations Students with Disabilities: IEP and 504 (8/13)
- Spanish Video DVD Format
- PSAE Day 1 (ACT) DVD Usage Guidelines (8/13)
- PSAE Day 2 DVD Usage Guidelines (1/31/14)
- PSAE Day 1 Accommodations Comparison: ACT-Approved, State-Allowed, Locally-Approved (Updated 01/15/14)
- Order Form for the ACT Practice Special Formats (ACT Website)
Note: Cassettes are no longer an option for the spring 2014 PSAE - 2013-14 ACT-Approved Accommodations Training Webcast (PSAE Day 1) (ACT Website: approximate running time: 30 minutes)
- 2013-14 State-Allowed Accommodations Training Webcast (PSAE Day 1) (ACT Website: approximate running time: 7 minutes)
- Accommodated Testing – Room Supervisor/Proctor Video Presentation (ACT Website: approximate running time: 30 minutes)
- Summary of Requirements (July 2013)
- 2014 Guidance – Assessment Accommodations for Students with Limited English Proficiency (9/16/13)
- 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)
- 2013 Translated Test Instructions for use with LEP Students
- Spanish Video DVD Format
- 2014
PSAE Parent Brochure
Questions about PSAE test administration should be directed to:
Megan Forness at [email protected] or [email protected] or by calling the Assessment Division at 866/317-6034.
