Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students continue to score above average on the ACT and are prepared to excel in college, according to a recent report from ACT.
In 2011, ASMSA students received an average composite score of 28.6. The average composite score for the state was 19.9. By comparison, ASMSA’s composite score in 2010 was 28.5 and the average state score was 20.3.
“ASMSA students continue to perform beyond the norm each year,” said ASMSA Director Janet Hugo.
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. ASMSA students received the following average scores in each testing area (the state average scores are listed in parenthesis):
English: 28.7 (19.6)
Math: 28.5 (19.7)
Reading: 29.0 (20.2)
Science: 27.5 (19.8)
“The results from the ACT scores represent the ASMSA commitment towards academic excellence,” said Janice Sullivan, dean of academic affairs. “Our students receive a top-level education which is reflected in their performance.”
In addition to test scores, ACT looks at how prepared students are for college coursework. Using actual grades earned by college students, ACT sets readiness benchmarks for English composition, college algebra, introductory social science, and biology. The benchmarks specify the minimum scores needed on each subject-area test to indicate a student has a 50 percent chance of earning a grade of B or high or about a 75 percent chance of earning a C or higher in a typical first-year college course in that subject area.
Seventy-eight percent of ASMSA students met or surpassed the benchmarks in all four areas, compared to 17 percent at the state level. On the English test, 100 percent of ASMSA students earned at least the benchmark score of 18.
English: Benchmark 18; ASMSA 100%; State 61%
Mathematics: Benchmark 22; ASMSA 96%; State 33%
Reading: Benchmark 21; ASMSA 97%, State 44%
Science: Benchmark 24; ASMSA 78%; State 21%
“We are so very proud of our students’ commitment to academics which is showcased in these test results,” said Hugo. “We are certain of their preparation for the demands of college and beyond.”
ACT scores show a strong relationship between high school course taking and college and career readiness. ASMSA currently offers nearly 40 concurrent classes. Many of the school’s graduates begin college at the sophomore level, and some even enroll in junior level classes.
The 86 members of the ASMSA Class of 2011 received acceptances to 84 colleges and universities and more than $15 million in scholarship offer