ACT Scores Continue to Rise

ACT Scores Continue to Rise
Participation and Achievement at an All-Time High

8/15/07 The ACT scores of Georgia's high school seniors improved again in 2007, with gains seen in all four areas of the test.

Georgia's composite ACT score rose to 20.3 in 2007, up from 20.2 in 2006. This increase came as participation on the ACT rose nearly 18 percent from the previous year. About 34 percent of Georgia's 2007 graduating seniors took the ACT, an all-time high. The national average ACT composite score was 21.2, also up a tenth of a point.

"It is encouraging to see Georgia's ACT scores continue to rise even as participation grows dramatically," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "I'm also very pleased to see that our African-American and Hispanic students continue to achieve at a higher level than their peers across the country."

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. A change of .05 in any score is considered statistically significant.

INCREASES IN ALL AREAS

For the second year in a row, Georgia's high school seniors improved on every part of the ACT. (See Charts)

"Georgia's ACT improvement is being seen across the board, in every subject," Superintendent Cox said. "As our new curriculum, the Georgia Performance Standards, begins to take hold in high school, I am confident we will see continued increases in our scores."

The improvement continued even as ACT participation increased dramatically for the fifth consecutive year. Since 2003, ACT participation has jumped by more than 56 percent. (See Charts)

While participation continues to rise, the majority of Georgia's high school seniors still take the SAT. In 2006, about 70 percent of Georgia's high school seniors took the SAT. 2007 SAT data will be released on Aug. 28.

AT OR ABOVE THE NATION

Georgia's African-American and Hispanic students again outscored their peers across the country. For the first time this year, Georgia's Asian-American students did as well.

"As with all test scores, the real story is told when you break down the numbers," Superintendent Cox said. "When you disaggregate the ACT data, you see that, on average, Georgia's students are scoring at or above the level of their peers nationwide." (See Chart 3)

Superintendent Cox added that the data continues to show an achievement gap between groups of students.

"We will continue to focus on reducing that gap by having high expectations for all students and giving them the tools and the options they need to be successful."

Statement from Governor Sonny Perdue Regarding Georgia’s Rising ACT Scores

8/15/07 Today Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement praising Georgia’s progress on the ACT. Since 2003, Georgia’s score has increased from 19.8 to 20.3 points.

“Georgia received good news today on the ACT: our scores are at an all-time high, our participation is up and our nationwide ranking is improving,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Georgia’s teachers, students and parents should be commended for this continued improvement.”

Georgia has one of the highest ACT participation rates in the nation. This year 34 percent of Georgia’s seniors took the ACT, up from 30 percent last year. Georgia tied for 44th place in the nation with Alabama, bettering Washington DC, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and South Carolina. The previous year Georgia was 46th in the nation. Georgia’s African-American, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian American students all scored above average for their national sub-groups.

“Though our scores our rising, we’re not yet satisfied,” said Governor Perdue. “We will continue to strive for higher scores by providing improved access to AP courses and online test preparation materials.”