ACT scores in for county

In a year that saw Stoddard County schools tighten their belts again and again -- with some districts forced to eliminate extracurricular activities and programs that had been around for decades -- there is some bright news about how well local students have fared scholastically.

The ACT test is a curriculum and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students' academic readiness for college. The test is a mandate of most colleges in the Midwest and is administered at most high school sites throughout the course of the school year as students prepare for graduation. The ACT test is the most frequently utilized college entry test in Missouri.

The test assesses student performance in four general areas of study: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The highest possible score on the ACT is a score of 36. Twenty-nine students in the state of Missouri scored 36 in the 2011-12 testing period. For all those taking the test in 2011-12, the average composite score was 21.6. In the area of English, the state average was 21.4; in Math 21.1; in Reading 21.9; and in Science 21.5.

So, how do neighboring Stoddard County students compare to those state averages? Some compare well -- some not so well.

Bernie students show a significant gain in their ACT scores over the past few years. According to High School Principal Bryce Matthews, the district implemented some new strategies during the 2011-12 school that proved well worthwhile.

"We had 22 students take the ACT test during the 2011-12 year," Matthews said. "Comparing to the state ACT composite average of 21.6, Bernie's composite was 23.3, which is up from an average of 20.55 of previous Bernie students over the past four years."

One of the strategies implemented by Bernie Schools was to offer teachers a training program that is designed to assist students in preparing for the ACT testing.

"From what those teachers learned in that training," said Matthews, "they were able to not only help the students individually in sessions outside the classroom, but also to share the strategies with other high school teachers to be applied in the classroom within the curriculum."

Bernie's scores showed a significant strength in the areas of English and Science. Compared to the state average in English of 21.4, Bernie scored an average of 23.5. In Science, Bernie scored an average of 22.9, nearly a full two points higher than the state's average of 21.5.

Dexter students also fared well, with an overall average of 21.5 -- one-tenth of a point behind the state average and nearly two full points behind Bernie.

To be considered when comparing those numbers, however, is the number of students taking the test. While Bernie had 22 testers, Dexter had 133 -- a significant factor when looking at composite averages.

"Dexter has a much larger group of tested students, so yes, making a comparison might be difficult," agreed Dexter's assistant superintendent, Dr. Kim Flowers. "We have consistently as a district been a few tenths of a point above or below the state composite, as well as the other individual content areas," she confirmed.

In the area of English in the 2011-12 testing, Dexter students averaged 21.4, matching the state's average in English. In Math, Dexter students averaged 20.7, just below the state average of 21.1. In Reading, the district scored 21.7, just two-tenths of a point behind the state average of 21.9. Dexter's average in Science was 21.6, one-tenth of a point above the state's 21.5 average, granting a district composite of 21.5 compared to the state composite average of 21.6.

Richland students posted an overall composite score of 21 compared to the state's 21.6. Just 19 students tested for the ACT during the 2011-12 year. Richland's individual subject scores were not available at presstime.

A total of 46 students were administered the ACT test in 2011-12 at Bloomfield High School. A breakdown of their subject scores was not available Friday. Their composite average, however, is posted at 18, compared to the state's 21.6 average.

The number of Missouri students taking the ACT exam continues to increase, according to data released by ACT recently. In 2012, 75 percent, or 49,222 graduates, tested in Missouri, which is an increase of four percent over the previous year.

The number one ranked state in the nation for average ACT composite score in 2012 was Massachusetts, with a score of 24.1. Minnesota topped the list for states that test more than 50 percent of its students, with an average of 22.8.

While the number of students taking the ACT nationally has risen to over 1.66 million, or 52 percent of graduates tested, ACT reported that 60 percent of these students "met no more than two of the four benchmarks" and are "at risk of not succeeding in college and career."

In 2012, only 25 percent of students taking the ACT nationally met all four college readiness benchmarks, the ACT's measure for predicting college success. In Missouri, this number is 27 percent, up one percentage point over last year. Additionally, 16 percent of Missouri students met three benchmarks, 19 percent met two benchmarks, 16 percent met one benchmark, and 23 percent met no benchmarks.

The state's average ACT score has remained unchanged for the past eight years at 21.6, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The national composite score held steady at 21.1 for the second year. This ranks Missouri 26th nationally, up from 27th last year.

Of the 14 MAP standards needed for designation of Distinction in Performance for individual school districts, Bernie attained all, as did Dexter and Richland. Bloomfield reached 13 of the 14.

"Our goal is to make sure all students in Missouri graduate college and career ready," said Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro. "The ACT is one indicator."