The Millard Public Schools district already was giving the test to all students before the state dropped a battery of assessment tests in favor of the ACT.

Heather Phipps is the district’s associate superintendent for educational services and she told the Omaha World-Herald that the district is “several years into building what we are calling an ‘ACT culture.'”

When Millard first started giving the ACT, teachers took old ACT exams so they knew what the tests look like and what kind of questions students were being asked. Phipps says the goal was not to teach to the test but rather to ensure teachers understood.

The district has also brought in an ACT preparation consultant who emphasizes the rewards of high scores and gives test-taking tips such as running around during test breaks to get the students’ blood flowing.