The Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) encompasses the state's Smart Start Initiative, which focuses on Grades K-4; the state's Smart Step Initiative, which focuses on Grades 5-8; and education for Grades 9-12.

The state-mandated, criterion-referenced testing includes the Benchmark Exams at grades 3-8, End-of-Course Exams in Algebra I and Geometry, and a Grade 11 Literacy Exam. The CRTs were developed by Arkansas teachers and the Arkansas Department of Education and are aligned to the state math and English language arts frameworks. Norm-referenced testing, presently the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, is administered in grades K-9 in reading comprehension and math problem solving. The Iowa Early Learning Inventory is administered to all kindergarten students at the beginning of the school year. Norm referenced tests (NRT), presently the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth edition (SAT-9), are administered at Grades 5,7, and 10.

The Arkansas Alternate Portfolio Assessment System is designed to evaluate the performance of students in grades 3–8 and 11 for whom the criterion-referenced examinations are not appropriate , such as students with disabilities and students with limited English Proficiency (LEP). All 9th grade students with disabilities who are not taking Algebra I or Geometry must be assessed with an alternate portfolio. All eligible LEP students taking Algebra I or Geometry may be assessed with an alternate portfolio.

Merit’s language arts and math software programs correlate to Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks and can help students prepare for the Benchmark Exams, the End-of-Course Exams, and the Literacy Exam. The content and format of Merit’s programs can help students develop and strengthen their test-taking skills as well as their reading, writing and math skills.

Merit reading software has been proven -- through rigorous, scientifically based research -- to increase both student reading comprehension and standardized test scores. Merit research study findings reveal that education software is an effective tool to improve test scores and academic performance.

Published: May 2005