ACT Inc.

ACT Inc.
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Name	ACT Inc.
Type	Non-profit
Industry	Educational assessment
Founded	1959
Founder	Everett Franklin Lindquist
Headquarters	Iowa City, Iowa
Key people	Martell Menlove, Richard Ferguson

ACT Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides educational assessment and College Board-style Standardized tests, including the ACT (test), which is used for College admissions in the United States. The company was founded in 1959 by Everett Franklin Lindquist, a professor at the University of Iowa, with the goal of providing an alternative to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) developed by Carl Brigham and College Board. ACT Inc. has since become one of the leading providers of educational assessments in the United States, with its tests being used by Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

● History

The history of ACT Inc. dates back to 1959, when Everett Franklin Lindquist founded the company with the goal of providing an alternative to the SAT. The first ACT (test) was administered in 1959 to a group of students from Iowa City High School and West High School (Iowa City, Iowa). The test was initially called the "American College Testing Program" and was designed to provide a more comprehensive assessment of a student's academic abilities than the SAT. Over the years, ACT Inc. has continued to evolve and expand its services, including the introduction of the ACT WorkKeys test in 1993, which is used to assess a student's career readiness. ACT Inc. has also partnered with organizations such as the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the American School Counselor Association to provide educational resources and support to students and educators.

● Products and Services

ACT Inc. offers a range of products and services, including the ACT (test), which is used for College admissions in the United States. The company also offers the ACT WorkKeys test, which is used to assess a student's career readiness and provide Workforce development training. In addition, ACT Inc. provides educational resources and support to students and educators, including Test preparation materials and Professional development opportunities. ACT Inc. has also partnered with organizations such as Kaplan, Inc. and The Princeton Review to provide Test preparation services to students. The company's products and services are used by a range of institutions, including University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and Carnegie Mellon University.

● Organization and Governance

ACT Inc. is a non-profit organization that is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa. The company is headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa and has a staff of over 1,000 employees. ACT Inc. is also a member of organizations such as the National Association of College Admission Counselors and the American Educational Research Association. The company's leadership team includes Martell Menlove, who serves as the company's chief operating officer, and Richard Ferguson, who serves as the company's chief executive officer. ACT Inc. has also partnered with organizations such as The College Board and Educational Testing Service (ETS) to provide educational assessments and resources to students and educators.

● Controversies and Criticisms

ACT Inc. has faced controversy and criticism over the years, including concerns about the fairness and validity of the ACT (test). Some critics, including Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn, have argued that the test is biased towards students from wealthy and privileged backgrounds. Others, including Diane Ravitch and Jonathan Kozol, have argued that the test is too narrow and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of a student's academic abilities. ACT Inc. has also faced criticism for its role in the College admissions scandal, in which several wealthy parents were accused of cheating on the ACT (test) and other standardized tests. The company has responded to these criticisms by implementing new security measures and partnering with organizations such as the National Center for Fair & Open Testing to provide more equitable and accessible testing options.

● Impact and Influence

ACT Inc. has had a significant impact on the field of education, with its tests being used by millions of students each year. The company's products and services have been used by a range of institutions, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). ACT Inc. has also partnered with organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Lumina Foundation to provide educational resources and support to students and educators. The company's tests have been used to inform Education policy and Education reform efforts, including the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act. ACT Inc. has also been recognized for its contributions to the field of education, including being awarded the National Association of College Admission Counselors's "Excellence in Education" award. The company's impact and influence can be seen in the work of organizations such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, which have used ACT Inc.'s tests and resources to inform their advocacy and policy efforts.