DC ACTS goals are to improve content, instructional and assessment knowledge in your subject area so you can provide more rigorous and standards-based course content for your classes and improve opportunities for your students to learn science through inquiry.

DC ACTS Drivers

Using an approach that focuses on making changes in the whole school system to improve achievement in science and mathematics, DC ACTS has set as its goals those "drivers" of reform developed by the National Science Foundation. They are:

• Implementation of a comprehensive, standards-based curriculum and instructional materials that are aligned with instruction and assessment available to every student,
• Development of a coherent and consistent set of policies that supports provisions of broad-based reform of mathematics and science at the K-12 level
• Convergence of all resources that are designed for or could be used to support science and mathematics education
• Broad-based support from parents, policymakers, institutions of higher education, business and industry, foundations, and other segments of the community for the goals and collective value of the program
• Accumulation of a broad and deep array of evidence that the program is enhancing student achievement
• Improvement in the achievement of all students, including those historically underserved.

Indicators of success of the DC ACTS program include:

• Improved student scores on the SAT-9 science (and mathematics exams)
• Reduction in remedial course offerings and enrollment
• Increase in advanced course offerings and enrollment (especially advanced placement courses, physics sections) and increase in students scoring 3 and better in the AP exam.