Area schools keep up their ACT, mostly
Two fall shy of last year, but still above state average, in college admission exam
The results on area students' ACT scores are in, with mixed results.
The state Department of Public Instruction last week released detailed data on results of the ACT, the college admission test widely used in Wisconsin. Two area school districts - Greendale and Oak-Creek Franklin - improved on its composite score from last year. Two others - Franklin and Whitnall - couldn't much their numbers from last year, but remained above the state average.
The composite is the combined scores of reading, math, science and English.
Even more super in Greendale
Superintendent William Hughes said Greendale's composite score of 24.4 is one of the highest in his tenure. The score was up from 24.0 last year, though the percentage of graduating seniors taking the test was lower compared to last year.
The composite score at GHS is one of the highest among neighboring school districts and Hughes said it was driven by a 25.2 score in math. In all four subjects, students improved on scores from last year.
Hughes credited faculty and low-cost preparation courses as factors in the high score.
"Greendale faculty, principals and teacher leaders have focused relentlessly on increasing the number of students taking the ACT exam," Hughes said, "as well as making sure course content is aligned with what is assessed on the ACT."
Still below state average in Oak Creek
Oak Creek-Franklin's composite score was 21.9, compared to from 21.5 the prior year. Students' scores in math, science and English were higher than last year, while reading was slightly down.
The district was below the state average of 22.2 with about 64 percent of graduating seniors taking the test. Oak Creek-Franklin officials could not be reached for comment prior to deadline.
Down in Franklin, but above average
At Franklin High School, the composite score was 22.5, down from an all-time high of 23 last year.
Principal Mike Keady said it was disappointing to see the drop, but noted a higher percentage of students took the ACT compared to last year.
About 78 percent of Franklin graduating seniors took the test, which was 8 percent higher than last year and the highest rate compared to neighboring schools.
"Nonetheless, we would like to see the scores trending up," Keady said.
School officials look at the results beyond just a one-year comparison, he said. Franklin's composite score had been trending up for the previous three years and last year's composite score was the school's highest ever.
Franklin stayed above the state average in reading, math and English and slightly below in science, which Keady said was not surprising.
"The bottom line is we should be above state average," Keady said, noting the school's demographics.
Same for Whitnall
Whitnall High School's composite score dropped compared to last year but remained above state average. students beat by 0.2.
Graduating seniors scored a combined 22.4, down from 23.2 the previous year. About 73.4 percent of Whitnall graduating seniors took the test, one of the highest rates in the southern metropolitan area.
Whitnall officials could not be reached for comment prior to deadline.
Wisconsin ranked third among 27 states where the ACT was the most-used college admission test, according to a DPI news release.
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