(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- The composite ACT score for Kentucky's year 2004 college-bound high school seniors gained slightly over the 2003 composite score, the Kentucky Department of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education announced today.
The 2004 composite is 20.3, compared to 2003's composite of 20.2. Nationally, the 2004 composite score was 20.9, up from 20.8 in 2003.
In 1990, 24,942 Kentucky high school graduates (62 percent) took the test; in 2004, 29,581 (75 percent) did. In 2004, 149 more African American students and 21 more Asian students took the test than in 2003. Other ethnic and racial groups saw slight decreases in the numbers of students taking ACT in 2004.
Number Tested
1990 24,942
1999 28,745
2000 29,670
2001 30,084
2002 29,532
2003 29,877
2004 29,581
Number Taking Rigorous Courses
1990 7,088 (28%)
1999 12,694 (44%)
2000 13,885 (47%)
2001 14,506 (48%)
2002 17,274 (58%)
2003 17,557 (59%)
2004 17,738 (60%)
ACT also asks test-takers to report the courses they took in high school. Over the past 13 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the percentage of Kentucky students reporting that they are taking ACT's recommended core courses. The number of students who report taking ACT's core curriculum has increased to 17,738 in 2004, compared to only 7,088 in 1990. In 2004, 60 percent of Kentucky high schoolers who took the ACT also took the recommended core courses. Nationwide, 56 percent of students took the recommended core.
The overall ACT Assessment consists of tests in four areas: English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. ACT recommends that college-bound students take four or more years of English; three or more years of mathematics (including algebra 1, algebra 2 and geometry); three or more years of social studies; and three or more years of natural sciences. ACT defines specific courses in these areas. Kentucky's graduation requirements define four credits in English; three in mathematics; three in social studies; three in science; one in history and appreciation of visual and performing arts; and one-half each in health and physical education.
"Although the overall gain is modest, it's a step in the right direction," said Kentucky Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit. "A larger percentage of students took the ACT's recommended core courses in 2004 than in previous years, and there's a direct correlation between taking those rigorous courses and scoring at high levels on ACT. And, over the past four years, the gaps between Kentucky students and students nationwide have gotten smaller in the individual subject areas."
"We're pleased that Kentucky's ACT composite score is improving," said Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education President Tom Layzell. "The fact that more high school students are taking core courses shows that more Kentuckians are aspiring to a college education and that they know this will make a difference in their lives."
Many Kentucky colleges and universities use ACT scores to inform admissions decisions and to place students in appropriate college courses.
ACT scores also are used, along with high school grade point averages, to determine the amount of money high school graduates are eligible to receive through the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship program.
In comparing Kentucky with the nation, the widest gap in performance among students was on overall mathematics scores (1 point) and the smallest was in reading (0.4 points).
African-American students in Kentucky who took the college-bound curriculum performed similarly to African-American students at the national level. At both the national and state levels, the gap between the performance of African-American and white students persisted.
The score gaps between males and females of all ethnic groups were minimal in most subjects, with males posting a composite score of 20.5 and females a score of 20.2. On ACT, which offers only multiple-choice questions, males tend to outscore females in mathematics and science, and females tend to outscore males in English and reading.
AVERAGE KENTUCKY ACT COMPOSITE SCORES BY ETHNICITY -- 2000 - 2004
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
African American 16.8 16.6 16.6 16.8 16.9
American Indian 18.6 17.5 18.4 19.5 18.4
Asian 21.0 21.3 21.5 21.8 21.7
Hispanic 19.6 19.4 19.1 18.9 18.9
White 20.4 20.4 20.3 20.5 20.6
Other/No Response 20.3 20.3 20.1 20.1 20.5
ALL STUDENTS 20.1 20.1 20.0 20.2 20.3
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Council on Postsecondary Education contact:
Sue Patrick
(502) 573-1555
Sue.Patrick@mail.state.ky.us
NOTE: ACT does not provide district- or school-level results to the Kentucky Department of Education or Council on Postsecondary Education.
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