Prairie State Achievement Examination

The Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE) is a two-day standardized test taken by all High School Juniors in Illinois. On the first day, students take the ACT, and on the second day, a WorkKeys examination and Illinois State Board of Education-developed science examination.^[1]. It has been required for all Illinois High School Students since 2001.^[2]

Areas of Assesment

The PSAE attempts to assess students on the following areas^[3]:

A student is required to take the PSAE to achieve a high school Diploma, unless he or she meets one of the following requirements^[1]:

The student’s Individualized Education Program is incompatible with the PSAE, and the test cannot be modified to comply. In this case, the student takes the Illinois Alternate Assessment instead.
The student not proficient in English. In this case the student takes the Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English instead.
The student is enrolled in an alternative Education program, including an adult education program, or high school equivalency certificates.

A student may be exempted from the 2006-2007 school year examination if he or she meets one of the following requirements:

The student has taken the ACT after freshman year and achieved reportable scores.
The student is a Senior and fulfils one of the following requirements:
- has taken alternative testing
- was eligible for a medical exemption during the 2005-2006 examination
- was incarcerated during both the 2006-2007 and 2005-2006 examinations.
- is a transfer student transferring after May 1, 2006.

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Becky McCabe, Division Administrator, Student Assessment Division (August 21 2006). "Memorandum:2006-07 Guidance – Graduation and the Prairie State Achievement Examination" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Education. Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
↑ Stephen M. Ponisciak (September 2005). "Understanding the Prairie State Achievement Exam" (PDF). University of Chicago. Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); line feed character in |title= at position 18 (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
↑ "Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE)". Illinois State Board of Education. Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help)