Still above state average
Anderson School District One saw a decrease on ACT scores recently released. The overall score for 2016 was reported as 19.3 for Anderson One which was below last year’s score of 22.3. Anderson One’s 19.3 beat the state average of 18.5. Students tested English, Mathematics, Reading and Science.
There were decreases in each category as compared to prior years which is common when all students versus a select group of college bound students take the exam, according to Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Jane Harrison.
In the spring of 2015, all eleventh grade students began taking the ACT test as part of the state and federal accountability system. The ACT is a tool that assesses readiness for college. A total of 636 students in Anderson School District One took the ACT college entrance exam in 2016.
Results were as follows:
Total English Math Reading Science Composite
2015 239 21.9 21.9 22.6 22.2 22.3
2016 636 18.3 19.0 19.9 19.4 19.3
The ACT is a series of curriculum-based, multiple choice tests that cover content knowledge in four basic skill areas: English (College English Composition), Math (College Algebra), Reading (College Social Science), and Science (College Biology). Students also receive a composite score on the exam, which is scored on a scale from 0 to 36.
ACT has established a college readiness benchmark score for designated college courses.
Anderson One students were above the state average in all areas (College English Composition, College Algebra, College Social Science, and College Biology.
Sixteen percent of students in Anderson One met the readiness score while fourteen percent of the state showed ready.
“Our goal in Anderson One is for our students to be college and career ready,” Harrison said. “Other assessment measures like End of Course exams showed gains last year so we know our students are moving toward higher levels. The ACT data is above the state average but not where we would desire for all students. It must be kept in perspective since all students are required to take it but all do not have the same goals to attend college.”
“We have a focus on using data to provide information to ensure highly effective teaching, paired with the rigorous curriculum necessary to ensure that an education in our district is aligned to college readiness,” Harrison said.
