Forest Park, IL...Proviso Township High Schools District 209 is beginning the process of preparing 8th grade students for high school entry by administering the EXPLORE exam at local feeder schools.

EXPLORE is a high school intake measure that gives high school counselors the means to structure class schedules, make appropriate course placement decisions in English and mathematics, and create  a  pathway for college and career exploration. EXPLORE serves as a baseline for monitoring academic progress and is considered one of the most crucial steps in a students’ high school transition.

"As we prepare to welcome students and parents into our high schools for their freshman year, EXPLORE is a very important tool that helps us to understand the skill levels of our incoming student and how we can best prepare to meet their academic needs," said PTHS 209 Superintendent Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart. "It helps us to put our incoming students on the right path to academic achievement and high school success."

All 8th grade students in the feeder schools for District 209 are asked to take the EXPLORE exam. Students who are planning to apply to the Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy must also take the exam. The testing window is open from November 7 to December 9, 2011. Counselors from Proviso East and Proviso West will go to each feeder school to administer this test during the school day.

For students who miss the test given in their schools, one makeup session is held at each of the two high schools. For specific questions about how District 209 administers this exam or uses the results, and for information on registering for the make-up exam, please contact either Proviso East High School (708.202.1613) or Proviso West High School (708.202.6313).

To learn more about EXPLORE, and to print an information sheet, please click here. For general information on EXPLORE testing click here.
 

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