ACT Seeks Teachers to Share Expertise

October 23, 2001

Note to Editors: This release reports a professional-development opportunity for high school teachers who work with minority students.

IOWA CITY, Iowa—ACT, Inc., is seeking outstanding high school teachers—with experience in teaching minority students—to help evaluate and develop test materials and instructional support documents.

ACT's Visiting Teacher Program, now in its seventh year, brings teachers from across the United States to the company's national headquarters in Iowa City, where tests such as the ACT Assessment are designed.

The contributions of visiting teachers will help ensure that ACT tests continue to "reflect the college-preparatory courses taught in classrooms around the nation," said Cynthia Miller, test development associate at ACT. "The visitors will get hands-on experience they can take back to their schools and share with colleagues."

During their six-week stay, participants will use their classroom expertise in two programs:

Test Development—Participants will review, evaluate and develop ACT's test materials and support documents.
Classroom Connections—Participants will evaluate materials designed to help fellow teachers interpret and apply test results.

The program will run from June 17 through July 26, 2002. Secondary school language arts and science teachers are eligible for the 2002 program. Those who apply must have experience working with minority students. Minority teachers are especially encouraged to apply.

Each visiting teacher will be paid a stipend of $5,000 and will be given round-trip transportation between their home and Iowa City. ACT also will secure and subsidize housing for participants.

Applications must be received by Dec. 28, 2001. To apply, teachers must submit a cover letter, resume, and two letters of recommendation to Visiting Teacher Program (32), Elementary and Secondary School Programs, ACT National Office, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168. Applicants should indicate if they are applying for the Test Development program or Classroom Connections program.

Since 1995, the Visiting Teacher Program has hosted 14 language arts, mathematics and science teachers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma and Wyoming.