After a recent policy change made by the Illinois State Board of Education, students who would have previously had to take the Test of Academic Proficiency/Basic Skills will have the option to replace the exam with a 22 composite score on the ACT plus Writing.

The state board approved the change in late June.

Another stipulation requires the student to have taken the ACT within a specified time period—most likely five years—from when the test results were sent to the state board, said Doug Bower, associate dean for the College of Education and Professional Studies

But, depending on when incoming seniors took their ACT, their scores might not be accepted, Bower said.

“I’ve got a lot of students who took the (ACT) in April of 2008…That’s one of the (details) that is kind of in the limbo because if the state gets the process in place by April 2013, then April 2008 works,” Bower said.

Anything after April 2013 would make tests taken in April 2008 unacceptable—leaving seniors, who need to take the TAP/Basic Skills test, unable to meet requirements.

Students would be given the option of retaking the ACT plus

Writing or passing TAP, Bower said.

Retaking the ACT would be more difficult for some students because the test is only offered at

certain times, but the preparative materials, distance from testinsites

and cost would be easier for some, Bower said.

The ACT plus Writing can be taken at local high schools and costs $49.50, which is less than the $125 it costs take the TAP test. The closest location that offers the TAP test is in Terre Haute, Ind.

“By Aug. 1, we are going to have something definitive in place for students to say yes (they) can use it or no they can’t,” Bower said.

Incoming freshman, sophomore and most juniors, as long as they received at least a 22 or higher composite score on their writing included ACT, will be able to opt out of the TAP test, he said.

“The Illinois State Board of Education has said the ACT composite of 22 is career and college ready, which is really what we are looking for from people who want to enter into a preparation program,” he said.

However, older, non-traditional students may choose to take the TAP test because of the more comfortable test environment Bower said.

It all depends on the preference of environment, Bower said.

“The environment of taking it in the Charleston High School cafeteria is probably not their cup

of tea,” he said. “The TAP they

will be in their own cubicle space taking the test.”

Bower also said he thinks students will be more focused on the rigorous classroom assignments and be less stressed.

“Right now, I think more people are being weeded out than should be,” he said. “I think the combination of the cost and the stress has discouraged some very, very good people from entering the field.”

Previously students were only allowed to take the TAP and Basic Skills test a maximum of five times, but because of the way the ACT reports scores the Illinois State Board of Education will not be able to see the number of times the ACT was taken, Bower said.

“When you send a score to Eastern or the state board, you send a test date,” Bower said.

Because of that there will not be a number restrictions placed on the ACT, Bower said.

In order to have the ACT score accepted, students will need to contact the College of Education and Professional Studies and fill out a form, then the student will need to ask the ACT to send the score report to the state board.

“The state board will not accept score reports from the university,” he said.

Bower said the board is looking into whether it will accept SAT scores from out-of-state students and the criteria it will be judged on.

Overall, Bower said he thinks the Illinois higher education system is taking a step in the right direction.

“I really believe that we should use the resources at hand as oppose to put another $125 test in the air,” Bower said. “I don’t think we need to test people to death.”

Nike Ogunbodede can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].