TJ’s first ever ACT prep class is proving to be a helpful investment for students planning on taking the test this spring.
Artwork by Rachel Wilson
As spring is approaching, the stresses of the ACTs are becoming a reality for the juniors at Thomas Jefferson. Luckily for the class of 2011, TJ has been offering the first–ever ACT prep class in order to help the students become more prepared to get higher scores on the test that is coming up on the 28th of April.
This class has been offered once per week since the beginning of February and has been taught by TJ Science Teacher, Kirk Hammond and Math Teacher Lispin Kuruvulla. “Even though the class is offered once a week, we are going to make the computer rooms available more often as we get closer to the test, but the students are able to access the website and training at any point on their own,” said Hammond.
ACT preparation classes are offered all over Denver through companies such as Kaplan, but tend to be a bit pricey. Therefore, the fact that prep classes are now available at TJ for free is an extreme money-saver for students and their families. “We are using a program on the College in Colorado website that has become available recently. Ms. K and I are providing our time and help on a volunteer basis and the program is free, so it was just a matter of working with Mr. Lessard to organize a class list and times and get it going.” Said Hammond.
According to Hammond, the fact that students are being taught by familiar faces will also help improve students’ scores. “I would imagine that the curriculum for this class is not as extensive or detailed as other organized courses, but the students are getting support and help from teachers they know and know are interested in seeing them succeed. It is also facilitated on site at times that are convenient for the students,” said Hammond who also believes that his expertise in science and Kuruvulla’s expertise in math makes them a good pair to run the class.
Kuruvulla and Hammond are having the students learn by immersion. “They are going through the tutorials and practice exams online, and getting first hand experience on what to expect from the exam. It is an inquiry approach as to how they are going to handle each subject and type of question. Then, they are encouraged to practice and repeat whatever they are struggling with. The class is very much self-paced and self-guided,” said Hammond.
Students agree that this class has been helpful to their preparation for taking the ACTs. “I feel like taking this class has made me more confident in myself once the test rolls around. I have a feeling that I’ll get a better score now compared to the score I would get if I had just studied for the test on my own,” said Junior, Hayden Johnson.
Kuruvulla and Hammond have high hopes for students regarding their ACT scores. “Our goal is to get at least five students who weren’t projected to get 20 or above to reach that level and to improve the overall college readiness of our graduates. This is the first year we are offering this, so it will be exciting to see how it impacts our scores,” Hammond said. “I think the class is going great. There are over 50 people signed up and 30 who regularly attend. The students seem to be very engaged and learning a great deal about the exam, and even other college readiness skills such as vocabulary and studying. We are hoping to get the numbers back up to 50 by the time the test rolls around on April 28th.” Also, all juniors are welcome to attend the class until the date of the ACT even if they are not already signed up.
