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	All 10th and 11th grade students in Saint Paul Public Schools to take free college and life planning tests Oct. 17 10/10/2007 5:15 PM Media Release             Office of Community Relations       Contact: Howie Padilla - Office: (651) 767-8104                Saint Paul, Minn – Want to work in the music industry? You have to know production and audio engineering. Want to work in the movies? You should study acting or learn behind-the-scenes skills like video production, sound design or budget management. Want to be a fashion designer? To crack the industry, it is best to have at least a two-year degree, if not more. In order to help students plan and prepare for the next step in their education, Saint Paul Public Schools – for the first time – will provide PLAN and PSAT exams at no cost to every Saint Paul Public Schools student. These college preparation tests are for the benefit of our students. Saint Paul Public Schools wants all students to graduate from high school and take the next step in their educations. Nearly every career today requires some kind of education after high school. A 2005 U.S. Census Bureau report showed that students with a four-year college degree have nearly double the salary of students with only a high school diploma. Another census report calculated lifetime earnings with a four-year college degree is $1.1 million more than having only a high school diploma. This reinforces that education remains the best way for young people to get ahead in life. The PLAN and PSAT will be given at all high schools on Oct. 17. As part of the district’s commitment to helping every student succeed, every district high school will be a host site for the ACT at least once during the school year. What are these tests? •    PLAN, 10th grade – Sometimes called the “pre-ACT,” it tests English, math, reading and science. Moreover, it contains a career and interest inventory, a great tool that help students see if their academics are on track with their career goals. •    PSAT, 11th grade – The Preliminary SAT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing; and it also is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This test can help students see any gaps in their academics and learn more about the expectations for college prior to their last year of high school. •    ACT – One of the two major college entrance exams, the other being the SAT. The ACT is recognized primarily by Midwestern college and universities. Some two-year colleges require an ACT or SAT score to enroll, along with most four-year colleges and universities. FOR MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA Johnson High School Principal Kay Arndt and post-secondary counselor Dan Kennedy are available to discuss why these tests are important for students and schools. Interviews can be arranged by contacting the Saint Paul Public Schools Office of Community Relations at (651) 767-8104. In 2002, Johnson High School began developing smaller learning communities, known as academies. This is helping to connect students with their future plans and meet their interests, skills, talents and strengths. The school has experience using tests like PLAN to help prepare their students. (More specifically, the school has used EXPLORE, a version of the PLAN for eighth and ninth grade students to help assess their freshmen students.) Additionally, public service announcements in Spanish, Somali and Hmong regarding these tests are available on the district Web site, www.spps.org on Friday, Oct. 12, 2007.