Some students at Starkville High School will have a chance to take the ACT for free this summer thanks to a research study.
Rising juniors and rising seniors at SHS will be able to register to take the ACT for free on June 9 as part of a study. The study is based on the differences between taking the test on paper versus taking the test online. The usual cost to take the ACT is $46. All scores will be college reportable. Once students report for testing, they will be split in to two groups. Half will take the test on paper, and the other half will take the test on computers.
SHS Principal Sean McDonnall said 600 vouchers for the free ACT were available. A registration event is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at SHS Thursday evening.
Normally, they would have to pay, but we have 600 vouchers,” McDonnall said. “We don’t want to give the voucher to a student to take home, and maybe they don’t sign up. We want to make sure when we give them the voucher, we want to see them sign up to take the test.”
McDonnall said computer labs would be open, with faculty helping the students sign up for the test.
“We’ve been a testing center for a while now, and this is the first time we’ve taken part in any of their studies and given it for free,” McDonnall said.
All state tests are given on a computer, and McDonnall said technology was moving in the direction of even more tests being administered with technology,
“In public education with the accountability model, we test all the time,” McDonnall said. “I don’t think we give a paper/pencil test anymore. I think all of our tests are online. If it can expedite the process, make it more secure and be more beneficial to the students, then I’m all for it.”
McDonnall said he hoped all 600 vouchers would be used.
“We have 706 tenth and eleventh graders right now,” McDonnall said. “I am hopeful that we can fill that 600, but it’s June 9, so vacation and people leaving town might hinder, but I would hope we can use those up.”
All high school juniors in Mississippi are required to take the ACT.