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 | Aligned System for Arkansas Students Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment |
To ensure every Arkansas student is prepared for success after high school - whether through enrollment in college, enlistment in the military, or direct employment - the state has established an aligned system of support beginning with the Student Success Plan. This personalized roadmap, developed in collaboration with students and families, guides academic and career decisions from middle school through graduation. Central to this system is the College & Career Readiness (CCR) Suite of Assessments, a comprehensive set of tools that measure readiness and provide access to opportunities such as college credit, industry-recognized credentials, and military pathways. These assessments, offered at key grade levels and funded by the state, help students demonstrate merit and distinction, fulfill graduation requirements, and pursue postsecondary goals with confidence.
1. Foundation: Student Success Plans
- Required for all student grades 8-12.
- Developed collaboratively with students, families, and school personnel.
- Includes career goals, postsecondary plans, and academic pathways.
- Must align with one of the three E's: Enrollment, Enlistment, or Employment.
2. Pathways to Post-Graduation Success
| Enrollment | Access to AP, IB, CLT, SAT, ACT, concurrent credit, and accelerated learning programs. College and career readiness standards. Arkansas Direct Admissions Program (starting 2026-2027). |
|---|---|
| Enlistment | ASVAB offered at no cost (recommended for 11th grade). Military-connected supports (Purple Star Schools). Career Counseling aligned with military pathways. |
| Employment | ACT WorkKeys, CTE certifications, industry-recognized credentials. Career pathways and apprenticeships. Certificate of Attainment for vocational/technical programs. |
3. Merit & Distinction Recognition
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| Diploma with Merit | In order to qualify for a Diploma with Merit, students must: 1. Complete a Success-Ready Pathway with three sequential credits as outlined in Table 1; 2. Earn a demonstration of readiness via one of the following:
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| Diploma with Distinction | In order to qualify for a Diploma with Distinction, students must: 1. Complete a Success-Ready Pathway with three sequential credits as outlined in Table 1; 2. Earn a demonstration of readiness via one of the following:
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Please see the Success Ready Pathways Guide for more detailed information.
Please refer to the Business Rules for the Class of 2026 and 2027 for determining Merit or Distinction School Letter Grade.
4. Required School Offerings (CCR Suite)
| 9 or 10 | 1 per student | Any administration administrations | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | ACT, SAT, CLT | 1 per student | Any administration administrations |
| 10, 11, 12 | ACT WorkKeys | 1 per student | Any administration administrations |
| Any Student Enrolled | ACE, IB, AP, CTE | Any Exam | |
| 9, 10, 11, and 12 | ASVAB | No Cost recommended for 11th graders; unlimited attempts |
5. Accelerated Learning Requirements
Schools must offer at least 4 accelerated learning courses in:
- Math
- English
- Science
- Social Studies
Includes AP, IB, ACE (Cambridge) H2 pathways, and concurrent credit.
6. Accountability & Reporting
Schools must report:
- Student progress toward success plan.
- Participation in accelerated learning.
- Credential attainment
High School rating system includes:
- Achievement
- Growth
- Postsecondary readiness (Grad Rate and Merit & Distinction)
This aligned system for Arkansas students supports Enrollment, Enlistment, or Employment. The system begins with Student Success Plans and incorporates merit and distinction criteria, outlining what schools are required to offer.
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PreACT 8/9 and PreACT
Arkansas students enrolled in public or charter school will be given the opportunity to take the PreACT 8/9 assessment in 9th grade and the PreACT assessment in the 10th grade. These assessments will be given at each student's school. PreACT assessments give students early experience with ACT test items, provide a predicted ACT test score, and offer a wealth of information to help students get the start they need to be college ready.
Anchored on the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards, PreACT assessments help educators, students, and parents identify areas of academic strength and opportunity.
By taking the PreACT assessments, Arkansas students:
- Can have their information shared with colleges and scholarship agencies, providing greater opportunities for recruitment and scholarship awards.
- Will receive results approximately 10 days after their test has been completed.
- Will have an opportunity to identify potential college majors and career areas based on their interests.
It is never too early to help students get comfortable with the ACT test. The best way for Arkansas 9th and 10th grade students to prepare is with PreACT assessments, which helps students practice for the ACT, discover new opportunities, and start planning for the future.
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The Arkansas Civics Exam is a 100 question test which assesses a student's understanding of American government and history. It parallels the 100 Civics (History and Government) questions and answers for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization test.
During the 2025 Arkansas Legislative Session, ACT 724 was passed requiring all schools to offer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to students in grades 10-12.
The ASVAB is a free, multiple-choice test used by the military to measure verbal, math, and technical skills through subtests such as General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, and Mathematics Knowledge. Scores determine eligibility for various military jobs and help match students to career paths.
In the new Arkansas Letter Grade System, students who earn a score of 31 or higher and complete an H2 Pathway or enlistment will generate points for their school in the Merit and Distinction category.
During the 2025 Arkansas Legislative Session, ACT 724 was passed requiring all schools to offer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to students in grades 10-12.
The ASVAB is a free, multiple-choice test used by the military to measure verbal, math, and technical skills through subtests such as General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, and Mathematics Knowledge. Scores determine eligibility for various military jobs and help match students to career paths.
In the new Arkansas Letter Grade System, students who earn a score of 31 or higher and complete an H2 Pathway or enlistment will generate points for their school in the Merit and Distinction category.
Arkansas public high school students now have the opportunity to take the Classic Learning Test (CLT) college entrance exam and CLT10 college preparatory exam at state cost. The CLT is accepted by hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide, with over $100 million in scholarships tied to CLT scores annually. The CLT is available to high school juniors and seniors, while the CLT10 serves as a preparatory assessment for 9th and 10th graders.
The CLT is designed to measure verbal reasoning, grammar, and writing skills by utilizing classic works of literature, philosophy, science, and historical texts. Its math section provides a rigorous assessment of college level quantitative reasoning skills, including logic, algebra, geometry, complex arithmetic, and trigonometry. The CLT offers a meaningful and engaging testing experience, and provides a reliable and comprehensive assessment of a student’s aptitude and achievement.
By taking the CLT or CLT10, Arkansas students:
● Can share scores directly to CLT’s more than 320 partner colleges and universities at no cost.
● Connect with hundreds of colleges and universities that share their values.
● Receive results quickly, within 30 days.
● Qualify for scholarships, with over $100 million tied to CLT and CLT10 scores annually.
● Have the opportunity and flexibility to test via our in-school or remotely proctored administration options.
The CLT and CLT10 provide Arkansas students and families with accessible, meaningful assessments supporting their academic growth and college readiness.
The SAT Suite of Assessments—including the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT10, and PSAT 8/9— measure the reading, writing, and math skills that matter most for success after high school.
Most students take the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 11 to qualify for National Merit Scholarships, but in Arkansas, schools may offer PSAT-related assessments earlier—in grades 9 and 10—to help students track progress and prepare for future opportunities.
Why take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)?
One of the biggest benefits of the PSAT/NMSQT is its connection to the National Merit Scholarship opportunities.
- Check their academic progress to see how they're developing key skills.
- Practice for the SAT.
- Identify AP potential—students receive recommendations for Advanced Placement courses that align with their strengths.
- Connect to over $300 million in scholarships—many scholarship providers use PSAT/NMSQT scores to identify eligible students.
Taking the PSAT NMSQT in 10th grade is excellent practice and preparation for taking the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade. To support preparation, students have full access to free practice connected to their results.
Why take the SAT?
The SAT is one of the nation's most widely recognized college entrance exams and is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States that require a test score for admission. Through the SAT Suite, Arkansas can track progress over time, connect with scholarships, and strengthen their readiness for college and career.
By participating in the SAT Suite, Arkansas students can:
- Access free SAT practice resources through College Board's partnership with Khan Academy.
- Equip teachers with access to actionable student data across the SAT Suite.
- Qualify for college application fee waivers if eligible.
- Discover AP courses they're likely to succeed in through AP Potential.
- Explore postsecondary options using BigFuture tools.
State-Funded Opportunities Under Act 724 of 2025:
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the Arkansas Department of Education will fund College and Career Readiness (CCR) assessments.
- Students may choose ONE during ninth OR tenth grade:
- 9th Grade: Take the PSAT 8/9
- 10th Grade: Take the PSAT10 OR PSAT/NMSQT
- Students may choose ONE during eleventh grade:
- 11th Grade: Take SAT School Day
- Districts determine local testing schedules and logistics.
Home School Students:
10th grade homeschool students may participate in the PSAT/NMSQT by indicating interest on their Notice of Intent to Homeschool and coordinating with districts.
Additional Information:
- Districts may offer additional SAT Suite assessments.
- More details about CCR assessments under Act 724 can be found on the Arkansas DESE CCR page.
