According to data released by ACT today, District 204’s composite score for the class of 2013 remained solid at 24.1. This year, ACT changed the way it reports the results of its standardized test. For the first time, composite scores for school districts include results for students who were allowed extended time to complete the test.
ACT officials note that this change affects the ability to make a direct comparison with previous years’ scores. Had the scores for students who required extended time been excluded again, this year’s composite score would be 24.6, an impressive increase from last year’s 24.2. Superintendent Kathy Birkett described the 0.4 increase as “significant growth, resulting in the highest composite score in the district’s history.”
Superintendent Birkett remained pleased with the district’s score under the new reporting method. “We saw an insignificant change from last year’s score, especially when considering the score now includes a larger group of students.”
District 204’s score of 24.1 continues to far exceed the state average of 20.6 and the national average of 20.9. Since the state required all juniors to take the test in 2003, District 204’s ACT score has risen by more than 2 points.
The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, designed to measure the skills needed for success in first-year college coursework. The test is scored on a 36 point scale.
