ACT Announces New Web Resource for Policymakers on Education and Workforce Development Issues

June 15, 2005

Iowa City, IA—ACT has launched a web resource designed specifically to help policymakers and their staffs in crafting research-based education and workforce development policy. The site, which can be easily accessed at www.act.org/path/policy , includes links to ACT research and policy reports on timely issues affecting K-12, postsecondary education, and workforce development.

"The website is a rich resource of nonpartisan, objective data that can help guide sound policy decisions," said Nancy Segal, director of ACT's Washington, D.C. office. "ACT's research can be extremely useful when policymakers are trying to determine what actually works in preparing students for college and careers, and in boosting the skills of adult workers. These areas are vital to the future stability and growth of the nation's economy."

Policymakers can find data on topics including:

College readiness and rigorous high school coursework
High school reform
What works in student retention
The effective use of job skills assessments by top American companies
Case studies of effective hiring and training programs
State trends in the use of employability certificates

Visitors can find the latest ACT policy alerts and sign up for future policy alerts via email. Links to outside websites—federal and state government-related policy pages and specific organization policy websites—are also provided.

Besides educational assessments and programs, ACT is widely known for its workforce development programs, including WorkKeys. ACT also created a nationwide network of ACT Centers, located primarily at two-and four-year colleges and universities, which are involved in testing, training, and professional licensure and certification.