ACT scores improve

National ACT scores for 2004 were released on Aug. 18 and Tennessee’s composite ACT score increased slightly from last year.
National scores show Tennessee rose a tenth of a point to 20.5 compared with 20.4 in 2003. The highest possible score is a 36.
The ACT assessment test is taken by students who plan on attending a college or university. The test is made up of four curriculum-based sections and a writing segment. The ACT assess critical reasoning and higher-order thinking skills in English, math, reading and science, and help determine how prepared students are for college.
The percentage of students taking the test is up as well. Eighty-seven percent of graduating seniors this year were tested, which is a 10 percent raise from last year.
While state education officials say they are pleased with the improvement and college interest, they would like to see better scores in certain areas of the test and eventually top this year’s national average of 20.9.
The state’s math and science scores this year also increased a tenth of a point to 19.7 and 20.3, respectively, which trail national scores of 20.7 and 20.9.

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