Harlan Kirgan
ACT scores for public high school students in 2017 rose by a record number, but in St. Landry Parish the scores failed to meet the state average and showed a decline from the 2012 results.
In the state, the students posted the fourth straight year of growth in the state’s public high school average ACT score, now at 19.6. The average score was 19.1 in 2013, the first year in which all public school graduates completed the ACT.
Scoring 18 or higher generally allows graduates admission to college without the need to retake high school classes.
In the graduating class of 2017, 25,704 public school graduates earned a score of 18 or higher.
The composite ACT score in St. Landry Parish averaged 18.7, down from an average of 20 in 2012.
In Acadia Parish, the average composite score in 2017 was 18.5, down from 19.3 in 2012.
Evangeline Parish students scored an average of 19.3 on the ACT in 2017, down from 19.6 in 2012.
The state average of 19.6 is below the 20 scored in 2012.
In a state Department of Education news release, State Superintendent John White said, “Four straight years of gains on the ACT proves, beyond a doubt, that when you raise expectations for all students, they can achieve great things.”
White added, “It also proves we can go further. Our state’s plan to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act raises ACT expectations from a level that allows basic admission to college to a level that demonstrates true readiness for college. Our students have accomplished a lot. When we raise the bar, they will accomplish more.”
The education department stated, “In the class of 2017, a record 25,704 students scored an 18 or above on the exam, and 15,406 students scored a 21 or above, an increase of 7,397 and 3,896 students, respectively, since 2012. Currently, the score of 18 currently earns schools an ‘A’ grade in the state’s high school rating system, as it is the performance level at which students admitted to college are generally not required to retake high school courses. Between 2018 and 2025, the rating system will gradually require a 21 in order for schools to earn A-level points, as it reflects true academic readiness for the next phase of education.”
The public school average ACT score climbed for the fourth year. Louisiana’s public school average ACT score is now 19.6, an increase of 0.1 since last year, and 0.5 since 2013.
Composite ACT scores in St. Landry Parish by high school in 2017 were:
— Eunice High, 18.3;.
— North Central High, 17.6.
— Beau Chene, 19.6.
— Northwest, 17.4.
— Port Barre, 18.9.
— Magnet Academy, 21.1.
In Evangeline Parish, 2017 ACT composite scores were:
— Basile, 19.6.
— Mamou, 19.2.
— Pine Prairie, 19.4.
— Ville Platte, 19.1.
In Acadia Parish, 2017 composite ACT scores were:
— Church Point, 17.8.
— Crowley, 17.9.
— Midland, 21.3.
— Rayne, 17.7.
— Iota, 19.7.
Since 2012 BESE adopted a policy to give all high school students access to the ACT assessment free of charge. Louisiana became the 10th state in the nation to expand ACT access to all students in 2013.