ACT scores exceed state, national average
Hillsboro figures remain same or higher than state, national figures since 1994
ACT scores of Hillsboro High School students continue to exceed state and national averages, board of education members heard Monday.
"It's something we can be very proud of," said Gordon Mohn, superintendent.
The ACT is a standardized test on reading, English, math, and science. It usually is taken by juniors in the spring and seniors in the fall.
The average composite score for the class of 2002 was 23.4, compared to 21.6 at the state and 21 nationally. Hillsboro has remained the same or higher than state or national figures since 1994.
The most significant increase was in English, where Hillsboro students had an average score of 24.4, compared to 21 at the state level and 20.2 nationally.
Other scores were:
Math — Hillsboro, 22.4. State, 21.3. National, 20.6.
Reading — Hillsboro, 24.2. State, 22.1. National, 21.1.
Science — Hillsboro, 23.3. State, 21.5. National, 20.8.
Repeated efforts
Of the 60 members of the Class of 2002, 54 took the ACT. About 72 percent took the test in the Class of 1994.
Of those taking the test last year, 34 took it two times and six took it three times.
Of those taking it more than once, the average composite score increased 1.38 points. Four students saw a decrease in score (up to two points lower), while 29 saw an increase of up to five points.
The greatest individual gain was of nine points the math portion. The greatest individual decrease was five points in reading and science.
The trends don't show marked improvement or dramatic declines.
Mohn said standardized tests or grade point averages aren't necessarily good predictors of post-high school success. Work ethic, for example, is a much greater factor.
"If a child's ACT is 19 or 20, then their chances of doing well in college is pretty good," he said.
Board member Reg Matz asked if high school teachers could spend time, perhaps the final week of school, helping juniors prepare for the ACT.
HHS Principal Dale Honeck said some teachers spend time on ACT preparation anyway, particularly in September. Generally, students take the test the spring or summer of their junior year, then in October of their senior year. ACT preparation seems most useful after students have taken it once.
