Sierra says she found the writing tips helpful and they reinforced what she was learning at Saturday school.

Brentin says he's been going to Saturday school since October preparing for the ACT.

Over spring break, Mr. Blackmon leads the students through an ACT review session at Roosevelt University.

Tykia, practicing for the ACT at Roosevelt University.

How had they heard about the ACT prep class?  Brentin said that Mr. Blackmon his CPS GEAR UP postsecondary coach had called his dad.  After hearing what Mr. Blackmon and his dad had to say, Brentin was convinced he would find the ACT class helpful.  Besides, he thought it would be a good idea to spend spring break on a college campus.  Sierra said that Ms. Minor her GEAR UP connection from Roosevelt University visited her division room.  From the first time she heard about it, she wanted to come.

Blackmon and Minor worked with the students over spring break at Roosevelt University. Students reviewed the ACT test basics: the number of questions, the amount of time they’d have, the order of the tests, and types of questions they’d get on the test. Then, they learned a few important ACT testing strategies. 

"The science test is the only test that I'm going to suggest you jump around," Mr. Blackmon told the students. "Find the easy questions first, then work your way to the more difficult. When there's 5 minutes left, fill in any questions you still have blank. Then go back and continue taking the test, until time is called." He explains to the students, "There are no penalties for wrong answers, so answer every question."

Brentin has been taking a Saturday ACT prep class since October. This class complimented and reinforced what he was getting from that class. For Sierra, the strategies were new, and she says she'll use them when she takes the test next week. On Wednesday, students reviewed math. Tykia, a junior from Hyde Park says she's never had a real problem with math, but there were a few things that puzzled her. The ACT prep class helped her sort through those items, and now she feels more prepared for the test.

Mr. Blackmon ends the last day of the workshop by asking students to call out their target ACT score. Every student has set a goal. "This is the last day I will meet with you before the test." he says. He asks the students to close their eyes and visualize their success.

- by Cheryl Rodgers