Statewide, ACT scores down for Class of 2018

Louisiana students’ scores on the ACT exam fell in 2018.
Data the state released Wednesday shows an average composite score of 19.3 for the 2017-2018 class. The 2016-2017 average was 19.6, according to the Louisiana Department of Education.
Jessica Baghian, Louisiana’s assistant education superintendent, said the state data is based on students’ “best’’ scores, because the test can be taken multiple times and colleges accept students’ best score.
ACT, the company that administers the national test, released data Wednesday showing Louisiana students with a 19.2 composite average for 2017-2018.
Conversely, average test scores for Acadia Parish students reflected an increase of 0.3 points, according to the data.
The average test score for the 599 Acadia students taking the 2017-2018 test was 18.8, compared to the 2016-2017 average score of 18.5, when 534 students took the test.
Among surrounding parishes, Acadia ranked around the middle of the pack. St. Landry Parish students averaged a score of 17.8 while students in Lafayette Parish school averaged 19.9.
Compared with parishes with a similar number of students taking the test, however, Acadia scored higher than only St. Martin (17.8 average among 548 students)
Baghian said that average is based on “latest’’ scores, meaning the score of a student’s most recent test.
The 2017-2018 decline in statewide average stops a five-year upward trend in Louisiana scores. The 2013 average was 19.1, state data shows.
Students can score a maximum 36 on the test, which aims to show students’ readiness for college courses. It tests aptitude in science, math, English and reading.
ACT scores are a factor in college acceptance, as well as scholarships such as TOPS. In Louisiana, ACT scores also factor into school performance scores.
Baghian said one factor in the decline in the average score this year is the growing number of Louisiana students who now take the test. Since 2013 the state has required all public school students to take the test.
As the numbers of students taking the test grow, keeping up annual gains can be more difficult, she said.
“But this is absolutely an access play for us,’’ Baghian said. “Every child should be given the opportunity.’’
State data shows 43,696 Louisiana public school students took the test as seniors during the 2017-18 academic year. That’s almost 18,000 more than took it in 2012.
Of the students who took the test last academic year, 25,673 had a score of 18 or greater and 15,756 had a score of 21 or greater, the data shows.
The national average composite score for 2018 was 20.8, ACT reported. Nationally, the results also showed a dip – from an average composite of 21 in 2016-2017.
The company that administers the ACT said students in Connecticut had the highest average score, at 25.6.