PASS Crosswalk
Comparing the EPAS Standards for Transition to the Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS)
Curriculum Areas
English/Language Arts/Reading
Mathematics
Science Reasoning
Social Studies/Reading
Background
Five curriculum committees were formed in summer 2004 by the Student Preparation Team of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. English, Math, Reading, Science and Social Studies committees were asked to compare the Educational Planning and Assessment System - EXPLORE / PLAN / ACT (EPAS) Standards for Transition and the Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) in their curriculum area.
The goal is to provide information for classroom teachers and administrators regarding the match between EPAS and PASS standards/objectives for instructional, curriculum alignment and district planning purposes. We believe these documents are part of an ongoing process to be updated as PASS is revised and other relevant information is obtained.
Process
The committee matched the PASS standards and objectives to the EPAS Standards for Transition. Committee members used sample questions for PASS CRTs and EPAS Assessments. Members compared not only the objectives and standards but also the sample questions before deciding whether the PASS objectives and EPAS standards were similar.
This was a subjective process, so caution should be used when using this information. All the committee members agreed that this process resulted in a deeper understanding of the PASS objectives and EPAS standards. Furthermore, the committee recommended that other teachers should replicate the process so as to validate the committee’s work and deepen their own understanding, thus, resulting in enhanced teacher knowledge and student preparation.
Acknowledgements
The contributions of the ACT, Inc., Austin staff are invaluable in all that the Student Preparation Team does, and that is certainly true in this effort. Judy Trice participated in our committee meetings and has been supportive at every step, as have been Dr. Carolyn Kostelecky and Glen Gullikson.
Appreciation is expressed to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett for her support. The Oklahoma State Department of Education curriculum directors worked with our committees and were an invaluable asset in the process. The following SDE staff participated:
- Ms. Jody Klopp, Team Leader of Standards and Curriculum
- Dr. Jennifer Watson, Director of Secondary Language Arts Education
- Ms. Jana Rowland, Director of Science Education
- Ms. Iva Owens, Director of Mathematics Education
- Ms. Debbie Smith, Director of Elementary Language Arts Education
- Mr. Kelly Curtright, Director of Social Studies Education
| Committee Members |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Brennan Amanda Pierce Betty Driskill Taddum Riddle Delbert Fair Nicole Sass |
Doug Phelps Anita Cosby Listena Prickett Pam Epperson Linda Roop Steve Glenn |
Jeannette Cheney Brenda Power Judy Duprez Suzanne Ritter Stephanie Fugate Connie Sloan |
Darlene Johnson Ted Smith Jenny Smith Katy Peercy Sharon Liston Debbie Tustin |
Sources
The source documents for the standards used for this process are:
- 2003-2004 PASS: Priority Academic Student Skills – K-12 Curriculum CD
- 2002 Standards for Transition: Descriptions of the Skills and Knowledge Associated with EPAS Test Scores - EXPLORE, PLAN and the ACT Assessment
Additional Information
Educators wanting additional information and support materials for the EPAS Standards for Transition should visit www.act.org/path/secondary/resources.html.
Students wanting to maximize or increase their ACT scores should visit www.actstudent.org.
Schools can receive assistance from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in using these documents as well as assistance in using EXPLORE / PLAN / ACT data in instructional and curriculum planning by contacting the Student Preparation office.
Other Resources
Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS), Item Specifications and Sample Items
Oklahoma EPAS
ACT
