ROCKWOOD WRAP: SCIENCE WILL NO LONGER BE PART OF ACT TEST SCORE, AND WHAT HAPPENED WITH AN ACCUSATION OF ANTISEMITISM?
CHANGES COMING TO THE ACT TEST (NOT JUST ROCKWOOD)
Starting in April 2025, the science section of the standardized ACT test will be optional for students who take it online, the science score won't be included in the composite score, the whole test overall will be shorter in length, and there will be fewer questions.
ACT announced the online test changes and said those same changes will also be in effect for tests on paper, if they're taken on Saturdays, beginning in September, 2025. In the spring of 2026, the changes will be in effect across the board, for schools and districts.
ACT stands for American College Testing. Students take the test as part of their college admissions process.
WHY?
In information released by ACT, reasons for the changes include:
Students gave feedback that said, "The test is too long. I need more time." and "The science section scares me."
In information released by ACT, reasons for the changes include:
Students gave feedback that said, "The test is too long. I need more time." and "The science section scares me."
Additional detail about the changes can be found here.
For years now, the writing section of the ACT test has been optional. According to the ACT site, only 3 colleges in the United States require it. Only 4 others recommend it. More detail can be found at this link.
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ACCUSATION
The Kirkwood 8th grade social studies teacher, who was in the news because he was accused of denying the holocaust, is also a Rockwood coach.
Jason Kipp is listed as the head coach for Eureka High School's Junior Varsity football team and for the J-V Wrestling team.
QUICK CONTEXT: KIDS REMOVED
Reportedly, at least two parents requested to have their kids removed from Kipp's Kirkwood classroom after an exchange during a Kirkwood School District curriculum night at Nipher Middle School.
FLAG
One parent said when she noticed a Palestinian flag on the wall in Kipp's classroom, she asked if he would also display an Israeli flag, given the current conflict. The parent says after Kipp said no, she stated that she and her kids are descendants of the Holocaust, and Kipp allegedly said, "That's your version of history."
A Kirkwood source tells us Kipp did later remove the Palestinian flag from his classroom.
KMOV and Fox 2 reported on the controversy, which was first reported by STL Jewish Light. This article from STL Jewish Light gives details of the initial incident and a follow up with more of what Kipp later said about it, including that the Palestinian flag has been up for years. Kipp did not respond to our email.
Eureka High School's Activities Director, Scott Allen, told a parent inquiring about Kipp, "I am not at liberty to discuss or respond to anything related to personnel."
Parents on social media have expressed concern about the accusation against Kipp and at least one parent described him as a great coach.
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This post has been edited to add more detail about the ACT changes and the feedback ACT published as reasons for the changes.