Students at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts have once again demonstrated the School’s tradition of excellence in education by achieving some of the highest scores nationally on the American College Test (ACT).
On Wednesday, the Arkansas Department of Education and ACT announced the results for the recently graduated Class of 2014. ASMSA students outpaced their peers, receiving an average composite score of 29.4 out of 36 possible points on the exam — a score 8.9 points ahead of the statewide average.
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. Students also receive scores in four individual testing areas, which are combined for the composite score. The individual testing areas are English, mathematics, reading and science.
Similar scoring trends were found in each of the individual testing areas, with ASMSA making gains in three of the four content areas. ASMSA students’ scores improved in each category. In the individual subjects, ASMSA graduates scored an average of 29.3 in English, 28.2 in mathematics, 30.2 in reading and 29.4 in science.
Statewide, the 26,821 graduating seniors taking the exam received an average composite score of 20.4. In the individual subjects, students scored an average of 20.1 in English, 19.9 in mathematics, 20.8 in reading, and 20.3 in science.
Many ASMSA students take the ACT during their sophomore year of high school as part of the School’s admission criteria. Most retake the test again as they near graduation, and the general increase in their scores reflect the students’ academic preparedness. The average composite score for individual members of the Class of 2014 increased by 3.9 points during their time at ASMSA.
The exceptional scores come as no surprise to Bob Gregory, dean of academic affairs at ASMSA. Gregory said the school doesn’t place a specific emphasis on test scores but attributes students’ growth to another ASMSA core value – being a school of learning.
“At ASMSA, we stress the importance of learning. When we focus on learning, standardized test scores naturally increase. I am happy to see ACT results that validate our efforts to remain one of the top schools in the nation.”
ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice is also quick to attribute a significant portion of the students’ success on the test to the students’ hometown school districts throughout Arkansas.
“We strive to be viewed as an extension of every school and district in the state,” Alderdice said. “The scores are only possible with the combined preparation students received from their home institutions and continued study at ASMSA. We are excited that districts are partnering with us to provide appropriate challenges while helping students grow academically and socially.”
The ACT also measures how prepared students are for first-year college coursework. ACT compares the scores from each testing area to grades earned by college students in English composition, college algebra, social science (reading) and biology to set a benchmark score. A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area test to indicate a 50 percent chance of a student obtaining a B or higher or a 75 percent chance of a student obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses.
All ASMSA classes are taught on the college level, and the school offers more than 60 classes that allow students to earn college credit. Many of the school’s graduates begin college at the sophomore level.
“As an environment that bridges high school and college, ASMSA strives to prepare students to be successful in college and beyond, which is especially significant considering over a third of this Class of 2014 are now first generation college students.” Alderdice said. “We hope this experience creates confident learners who are ready to excel.”