EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA BOOSTS SCORES AND GARNERS SUCCESS WITH PREACT AND ACT DISTRICT TESTING

Oct 9, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan

Eden Prairie Schools in Minnesota leverages ACT District Testing to improve student outcomes through an inclusive assessment strategy. The district addresses the limitation of state assessments by using interim, formative, and summative measures across grades, enabling students to identify strengths and areas for growth. Eden Prairie promotes broad participation by offering ACT on school days, covering costs, and securing vouchers for families. Results show strong PreACT 8/9 capture and participation, and average ACT score gains of at least two points for students who took PreACT before the ACT, supporting curriculum and site improvement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Outcomes

PreACT 8/9 capture rate

PreACT participation rate

Score growth after PreACT

EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA BOOSTS SCORES AND GARNERS SUCCESS WITH PREACT AND ACT DISTRICT TESTING With approximately 3,000 students from varying backgrounds, Eden Prairie (EP) Schools, located in Minnesota, believe that each student has intrinsic value and individuality. These values reflected in the school district’s strategic plan set students on the path to success with an inclusive and expansive curriculum. Ashley Bakke, district assessment coordinator at EP Schools, focuses on what is most important—encouraging students to take every opportunity to have a successful and fulfilling education. EP recognized a gap in assessment, as Minnesota state assessments do not extend past the ninth grade. Because it focuses on triangulating data through interim, formative, and summative assessments for each student, working with ACT gives students of all grade levels the opportunity to discover their potential and identify areas of improvement. EP encourages students to take the ACT® test through ACT District Testing—offering the test on a school day, covering the costs, and working with families in nearby metro areas to secure vouchers for their children to take the test. Students feel comfortable and secure taking the ACT in a familiar environment while completing testing during school hours. The ACT has proven to be an important data point for driving policies and site improvements at Eden Prairie Schools. It also seamlessly aligns with the district’s Inspired Journey of Discovery, Exploration, and Pursuit program, in which students pursue their college or career goals during high school. By taking PreACT® 8/9, students can recognize their areas of strength and improvement, while educators are put in a better position of support and gain valuable insights into how to change and improve curriculum. Additionally, PreACT filled the assessment gap that highlights EP’s 9th-grade students, which allowed educators and parents to understand each student’s strengthsand weaknesses. Those who took PreACT were able to, on average, increase their score by at least two points when they took the ACT. To boost participation even further, EP developed its own College and Career Readiness Day. Using resources from ACT, EP created multiple marketing materials to promote the event to students and parents, including a flyer and postcard promoting the benefits of taking the ACT and offering more information. Students of all grade levels were encouraged to attend the event. EP hopes to collaborate with the wider community to encourage students to learn more about local businesses and potential career opportunities. By allowing each student to experience a standardized test in the comfort of their high school environment, we are opening doors and removing barriers. —ASHLEY BAKKE DISTRICT ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR EDEN PRAIRIE SCHOOLS OUTCOMES 80% capture rate for PreACT 8/9 76% participation rate for PreACT PRODUCTS USED: ACT District Testing ACT and PreACT Correlation 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 | 22.1 | 23.3 20.6 | | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | 0.0 | | Students with Only ACT Score Students with both PreACT and ACT scores On average, students who took PreACT in grade 10 and then the ACT in grade 11 increased their score by at least two points. EDEN PRAIRE SCHOOLS PROFILE ©2024 by ACT Education Corp. All rights reserved. Eden Prairie High School has 2,950 students with 43. 8% minority enrollment. Only straight-A school district in the state of Minnesota. 45% of students participated in at least one college-level course. MR030411

FAQs

Why does Eden Prairie Schools use ACT District Testing and PreACT?

The district addresses a gap in assessment coverage beyond ninth grade and uses PreACT plus ACT to triangulate student data, helping identify strengths and improvement areas.

How does the district encourage students to take the ACT?

ACT is offered on a school day, costs are covered, and nearby families can secure vouchers, so students complete testing in a familiar environment during school hours.

What impact did taking PreACT have on ACT scores?

Students who took PreACT and later took the ACT increased their scores by an average of at least two points.

Oct 9, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan