ACT to launch new periodic assessment system

ACT Inc. said Monday that it plans to launch an assessment system for elementary grades through high school to track college and career readiness over an extended period.

The new assessment will be "the first digital, longitudinal assessment system to fully connect student performance from early elementary to high school, helping students know exactly where they are and providing insights on how to build on strengths and address weaknesses," ACT said in its announcement.

The system will be aligned with Common Core State Standards, which draw from ACT's College Readiness Standards and research. It also will measure other critical areas such as science skills and offer planning elements that prepare students to graduate.

"Periodic assessment of what students have learned, starting early in their academic career, will help them and their parents and educators know what steps they must take to stay on the right path," ACT CEO Jon Whitmore said in prepared remarks.

ACT will partner with Pearson for state-of-the art digital technology platforms to deliver the assessment.

ACT is based in Iowa City, where Pearson also has operations.