Ark Valley News - ACT scores above state, nation

ACT scores above state, nation
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: September 14, 2017

More Valley Center High School seniors took the ACT last year and the results showed a slight dip across the board.

Still, Valley Center's scores remained above state and national averages.

“Even though I'm satisfied with the results … I still think we can do better and our teachers believe that as well," Superintendent Cory Gibson told the school board during its monthly meeting Sept. 11.

A total of 147 Valley Center seniors took the test during the 2016-17 school year and had a composite score of 22.5. The state's average composite score was 21.7, while the national average was 21.0. A perfect score on the ACT is 36.

On English, Valley Center seniors scored 21.7. The state's average was 21.1, while the national average was 20.3.

On math, local seniors scored 21.9. The state's average was 21.3, and the national average was 20.7.

On reading, local seniors scored 22.3, while the state's average was 22.3 and the state's was 21.4.

Finally on science, local seniors scored 22.5. The state's average was 21.7 and the national average was 21.0.

“I'm pleased with that, but it's something we always want to improve," Gibson said.

In 2016, 134 students took the test. The composite was 22.8, English was 22.4, math was 22.0, reading was 23.6 and science was 22.7.

“The more students who take it, your results will go down," Gibson explained.