Connecticut Technical High Schools (CTHSS) to replace use of
Grade 8 Connecticut Mastery Test scores with new admissions test

 The change to spring testing of students participating in the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) will require the state's technical high schools to administer their own entrance exams beginning this year.  This will be a one-year transitional solution after which the CTHSS hopes to utilize the Grade 7 CMT scores for admissions test purposes for all applicants from Connecticut public schools.  The CTHSS is working with public school districts and nonpublic middle schools throughout the state to implement a testing schedule and process that will facilitate student access to the exam.  Accommodations for the admissions tests available to eligible students for the CMT can be provided upon receipt of a documented request. 

The new entrance exams will be administered to Grade 8 students who are interested in attending one of the state's regional technical high schools next September as Grade 9 students.  Approximately 6,500 Grade 8 students apply for about 2,500 freshman openings each year.  The technical high schools offer a unique program that provides a college prep curriculum and concentration in a technical skill area, such as electrical, drafting, culinary arts, electronics, computer networking, graphics, health and medical technicians, fashion technology, hairdressing and barbering as well as other professions.

According to CTHSS Superintendent of Schools Abigail L. Hughes, "Nearly every Connecticut Technical High School has a waiting list of students who want to attend. We must make sure that every student has a fair opportunity to compete for his or her place in the freshman class. The new test will assess their reading and math skills and help us evaluate whether they can succeed in a technical school curriculum."

For the past 18 years, the state's largest high school system has been able to use students' Grade 8 mastery test scores as a basis for admission to the 17 regional technical high schools serving the state. Students were tested in September and scores were made available in January for use in the admissions process.  Students are also evaluated based on their 7^th and 8^th grade marks, behavioral record and school attendance.  However, with the announced change in the CMT schedule to move testing to March of 2006, student scores would not be available in time to be used for the CTHSS admissions process.

The new entrance exam will assess students' skills in reading and mathematics.   The test is aligned with the fourth generation frameworks of the CMT.  The assessment, called the iknowct, is a standardized test developed by one of the nation's largest testing companies, CTB McGraw-Hill. 

Both the mathematics and reading tests will be available in a paper and pencil and online format at each of the 17 school locations throughout the state.  The test contains multiple choice questions and takes about 2.5 hours to complete both the math and reading sub-tests including directions.  The tests will be offered free of charge to students.  Students are eligible to take the admissions test once per year and the score will be used to apply to any of the technical high schools.  All students who plan to take the admissions test must pre-register in advance of the test date by completing a brief registration form available at the local technical high school or at their local sending school.  The completed admissions test pre-registration forms should be returned to the technical school guidance department. Sending school counselors and parents can contact the local technical school guidance department for further admissions testing information and to obtain the details of each school's admissions testing schedule.