ACT Scores Show Steady Gains

Report also reveals more Georgia students are College and Career Ready

Georgia’s ACT scores saw a slight increase in 2010 and a higher percentage of students demonstrated college and career readiness, according to the 2010 ACT report. Forty-four (44) percent of Georgia’s 2010 graduating seniors took the ACT and had an average composite score of 20.7, up from 20.6 from last year. The national average composite score was 21.0, down from 21.1 in 2009. Georgia seniors were tied for 34th on the ACT, up from 40th in 2009 and 47th in 2005.

"Georgia continues to see a steady rise in ACT scores, even when the national average score declined," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "I'm especially proud that the curriculum enhancements that Georgia has instituted are resulting in more of our students meeting the ACT standard of college and career readiness."

State School Superintendent Brad Bryant pointed out that when the scores are broken down by race, Georgia students are actually outscoring the nation across the board.

According to the 2010 ACT report:

- Georgia’s African American students had an average composite score of 17.4, higher than the national average of 16.9.

- Georgia’s Hispanic students had an average composite score of 20.1, higher than the national average of 18.6

- Georgia’s Caucasian students had an average composite score of 22.9, higher than the national average of 22.3

“When you take a close look at the numbers, you can see that Georgia students are actually outperforming their peers from across the nation,” Superintendent Bryant said. “However, we will not be completely satisfied until we become the first state to eliminate the achievement gap altogether."

The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement test designed to measure college readiness and preparation. The ACT includes four separate exams in English, reading, mathematics and science. There is also an optional writing portion. The exam is scored on a scale from 0 to 36.

College and Career Readiness

The report provides strong evidence that Georgia is making the right moves in education by setting higher standards and raising expectations.

According to the ACT, 21 percent of Georgia seniors demonstrated college-readiness in all four areas of the test, up from 19 percent last year. Nationally, 24 percent of ACT test-takers demonstrated college-readiness, up from 23 percent last year.

The percent of ACT-tested Georgia graduates who are ready for college coursework is also higher compared to five years ago in mathematics, reading, and science.

"These findings are very encouraging," said Superintendent Bryant. "They suggest more Georgia students are graduating from high school with the academic skills they will need to succeed in college and their chosen career."

The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, which are based on the actual grades earned by students in college, define college and career readiness and report student performance results relative to that goal.

Common Core Standards

The ACT results come at a time when much national focus is being placed on adopting and implementing new college and career readiness standards in high school. The State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards in July.

"Georgia has been ahead of the curve in the development of rigorous standards," said Superintendent Bryant. "The Common Core standards enhance the Georgia Performance Standards and will ensure that all of our students are taught a world-class curriculum that will prepare them for college or a career."

This fall, ACT will be issuing a report that examines the current status of college and career readiness in the U.S. based on the Common Core State Standards.

- Georgia's ACT Report:
http://www.act.org/news/data/10/pdf/readiness/CCCR_Georgia.pdf?utm_campaign=cccr10&utm_source=reporters_menu&utm_medium=web

- National ACT Report: http://www.act.org/news/data/10/pdf/readiness/CCCR.pdf?utm_campaign=cccr10&utm_source=reporters_menu&utm_medium=web
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ACT Participation Jumps, Scores Remain Steady

Black, Hispanic and White Students Outscore Peers Nationally

Georgia’s ACT scores remained steady in 2009 even as participation on the college entrance exam jumped by nearly nine percent in one year.

About 40 percent of Georgia’s 2009 graduating seniors took the ACT and had an average composite score of 20.6, the same as last year. The national average composite score was 21.1, also the same as 2008, according to ACT's annual report. Georgia seniors were tied for 40th on the ACT, up from 41st in 2008 and 47th in 2005.

“Even with a dramatic increase in participation, Georgia’s ACT scores held onto the gains we’ve made the past few years and our national rank improved,” said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox.

Superintendent Cox pointed out that when the scores are broken down by race, Georgia students are actually outscoring the nation across the board. According to the 2009 ACT report:

- Georgia’s African American students had an average composite score of 17.4, higher than the national average of 16.9.

- Georgia’s Hispanic students had an average composite score of 20.0, higher than the national average of 18.7
- Georgia’s Caucasian students had an average composite score of 22.6, higher than the national average of 22.2

“When you get behind the numbers, you can see that Georgia students are actually outperforming their peers from across the nation,” Superintendent Cox said. “However, Georgia must remain focused and determined to provide all students with a high quality education so that we can close the achievement gap and prepare our students for the 21st century.”

The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement test designed to measure college readiness and preparation. The ACT includes four separate exams in English, reading, mathematics and science. There is also an optional writing portion. The exam is scored on a scale from 0 to 36.

Readiness and Rigor

The report provides strong evidence that Georgia is making the right moves in education by setting higher standards and raising expectations.

According to the ACT, 19 percent of Georgia seniors demonstrated college-readiness in all four areas of the test, the same as last year. Nationally, about 23 percent of ACT test-takers demonstrated college-readiness, also unchanged from 2008.

The ACT has identified six specific steps that states can take to better prepare their students for college and careers. Those recommendations include adopting a rigorous core curriculum for all students, establishing a longitudinal data system and defining college-and-career readiness.

"The good news is that Georgia is already doing everything the ACT recommends and much more," said Superintendent Cox. "I know we are on the right path for education in Georgia and we are already seeing the results. But I am confident that in the not-too-distant future, Georgia will see even greater gains in student achievement."

Growing Numbers

The number of seniors taking the ACT has increased to over 36,000 -- up more than 50 percent since 2005. The number of African-American students taking the ACT has nearly doubled in that time with 11,759 of last year's seniors having taken the exam.

"More Georgia students take the SAT, but the numbers are getting closer," said Superintendent Cox. Additionally, she said, fewer students are taking the SAT a second or third time. Last year, about 55 percent of Georgia students took the SAT more than once, down eight points since 2005. Superintendent Cox said it appears that instead of taking the SAT a second time, some students are taking the ACT.

"We must make sure our students are ready for whatever exam they choose to take," Superintendent Cox said. “We know that our teachers, students and school communities are working harder than ever to make that happen.”

SAT scores will be released August 25 by the College Board.

MORE INFORMATION

- Georgia's ACT Report: http://www.act.org/news/data/09/pdf/states/Georgia.pdf
- National ACT Report: http://www.act.org/news/data/09/pdf/National2009.pdf

SCHOOL and DISTRICT SCORES

- To download school and district scores, see this press release online at: http://tinyurl.com/GaACT2009

TOP PERFORMERS:

NOTE: The score for schools and district with 10 or fewer test-takers are not included.

TOP ACT HIGH SCHOOLS (average composite score)

District High School Score
FULTON CO CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL 25.2
COBB CO GEORGE WALTON COMP HIGH SCHOOL 25.1
FULTON CO RIVERWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 25
FULTON CO MILTON HIGH SCHOOL 24.6
FULTON CO NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 24.6
CHATHAM CO SAVANNAH ARTS ACADEMY 24.5
COBB CO ALAN C POPE HIGH SCHOOL 24.3
FORSYTH CO SOUTH FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL 24.1
COBB CO LASSITER HIGH SCHOOL 24
FAYETTE CO STARRS MILL HIGH SCHOOL 24
GWINNETT CO PARKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 24
FULTON CO ALPHARETTA HIGH SCHOOL 23.9
GWINNETT CO NORTH GWINNETT HIGH SCHOOL 23.9
COBB CO WHEELER HIGH SCHOOL 23.8
FAYETTE CO MCINTOSH HIGH SCHOOL 23.7
FULTON CO ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL 23.7
MUSCOGEE CO COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL 23.7
COLUMBIA CO LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL 23.6
GWINNETT CO BROOKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 23.6
FULTON CO CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL 23.4
DEKALB CO CHAMBLEE HIGH SCHOOL 23.3
RICHMOND CO JOHN S DAVIDSON FINE ARTS SCH 23.3
GWINNETT CO NORCROSS HIGH SCHOOL 23.1
COBB CO HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL 23
COBB CO KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL 23
GWINNETT CO COLLINS HILL HIGH SCHOOL 23

MOST IMPROVED ACT SCHOOLS (one-year change, average composite score)

District High School Score Increase

HENRY CO WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL 19.8 4.8
JASPER CO JASPER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 20.8 4.6
HALL CO ROBERT W JOHNSON HIGH 20.5 4
RICHMOND CO WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL 21.3 3.1
ECHOLS CO ECHOLS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 19.8 3
BLECKLEY CO BLECKLEY CO. HIGH SCHOOL 21.1 2.9
LAURENS CO WEST LAURENS HIGH SCHOOL 20.9 2.4
MUSCOGEE CO HARDAWAY HIGH SCHOOL 19.1 2.2
CLARKE CO CLARKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 20.2 2.1
GORDON CO GORDON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 19 2.1
JACKSON CO EAST JACKSON COMP. HIGH 19.8 2.1
CHEROKEE CO POLARIS EVENING HIGH SCHOOL 19.8 2
DODGE CO DODGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 22.1 1.9
MERIWETHER CO GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 17.8 1.9
CRISP CO CRISP COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 18.9 1.8
ATLANTA CITY TECH HIGH SCHOOL 17.8 1.7
JEFFERSON CITY JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL 21.5 1.7
SEMINOLE CO SEMINOLE CO MID/HIGH SCHOOL 19 1.7
ATLANTA CITY NORTH ATLANTA HIGH SCHOOL 19.9 1.6
CHATHAM CO SAVANNAH HIGH SCHOOL 16.2 1.5
GWINNETT CO NORTH GWINNETT HIGH 23.9 1.5
JEFF DAVIS CO JEFF DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL 20.1 1.5
STEPHENS CO STEPHENS CO. HIGH SCHOOL 20.4 1.5
COLUMBIA CO EVANS HIGH SCHOOL 20.9 1.4
FULTON CO RIVERWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 25 1.4
ATLANTA CITY ALONZO A CRIM HIGH SCHOOL 15.4 1.4

TOP ACT SCHOOL DISTRICTS (average composite score)

District Score

FORSYTH CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 23.1
FAYETTE CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 22.5
OCONEE CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 22.5
FULTON CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 22.2
COBB CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 22.1
DODGE CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 22.1
GWINNETT CO PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST 22.1
CHEROKEE CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 22
BRYAN CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.8
LEE CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.8
WHITE CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.8
DECATUR CITY SCHOOLS 21.7
MARIETTA CITY SCHOOLS 21.7
COLUMBIA CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.6
JONES CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.6
BUFORD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.5
DALTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST 21.5
GILMER CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.5
JEFFERSON CITY SCHOOLS 21.5
TRION CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.5
HABERSHAM CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.2
BLECKLEY CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.1
CARTERSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS 21.1
PICKENS CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21.1
BREMEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 21
CATOOSA CO SCHOOL DISTRICT 21
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