In 2008, Kentucky mandated ACT testing for all high school juniors before graduation. LFPL immediately developed the ACT Tips & Strategies class for students, offering them at some branches and teaching at one high school. In 2010, we wondered what else the Library could do that would offer test takers improved skills and knowledge of the ACT exam and how could we reach more students?

Partnered with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and the Mayor’s office in a program called Close the Deal that encourages and prepares students in low-performing high schools to go to college. LFPL’s role:

• Taught ACT Tips & Strategies to all juniors in all three participating under-performing high schools and at branch libraries. The class curriculum included:
  • Information about scholarships available to KY students who do well on the ACT
  • In depth strategies for each of the ACT sections
  • Suggestions for battling test anxiety
  • Information about Learning Express Library, an online database providing practice tests, including the ACT
• Partnered with KAPLAN to offer full length paper and pencil practice tests at the library

Forged new partnership with JCPS, the Mayor’s office and KAPLAN
620 juniors at three high schools were taught ACT Tips & Strategies
31 ACT Tips and Strategies classes were taught at 13 library locations
45 students took advantage of two ACT practice tests offered at the library through KAPLAN