Act 881 of 2007 established the Voluntary Universal ACT Assessment program (VUAA), which provides an opportunity for all students in grade eleven (11) to participate in one administration of the ACT assessment.
Participation in the VUAA program is strictly voluntary. Districts may use National School Lunch Act (NSLA) categorical funds to pay for this one administration of the ACT for grade eleven (11) students.
If a district wishes to use NSLA funds to administer the ACT, this activity must be included in the NSLA budget in the Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (ACSIP) Plan. Districts wishing to participate need to contact the Division of Public School Academic Accountability by filling out the attached form and e-mailing it to Heather Speyer-Rainbolt in Dr. Charity Smith’s office at Heather.Speyer-Rainbolt@arkansas.gov or faxing it to 501-682-7966. Districts must be registered by July 28, 2008. Districts not wishing to participate are also asked to e-mail or fax this form to Ms. Rainbolt.
The cost per student has not been determined, but it is estimated to be approximately $31.00. An implementation broadcast training for district administrators in regard to the special administration of the ACT will be August 22, 2008, from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon. Details will be provided to districts registering to participate in the VUAA program. The first administration of the VUAA program will take place during the 2008-2009 school year. The school day test date is April 22, 2009, with a make-up date of May 6, 2009. Additionally, grade 11 students within participating districts unable to participate during the school day administration of the test may take the test at any of the testing dates and sites pre-determined by ACT during the 2008-2009 school year, with the students’ testing fees paid for by the participating district.
Arkansas Public School Computer Network (APSCN) has assigned program code 016 for ACT fees paid by NSLA funds. Districts will be invoiced directly by ACT for students participating in the VUAA program. The Department of Education will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the districts for administering the VUAA program.
For further information districts should contact Dr. Charity Smith, Assistant Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Education at (501) 682-5891.