Record high of college-going ACT scores posted

The news, statewide, from the Department of Education was good this week.
A record number of high school seniors earned scores of 18 or higher on the ACT, which has led to more graduates entering college without needing to take remedial courses.
In fact, 24,619 students earned a “college-going score” (18 or higher) in the spring of 2015, which is nearly 1,000 more students than last year’s number and is more than 6,300 more students that met that mark in 2012.
The news in the parish, however, shows there is still work to be done.
“It’s the first time in years we’ve declined in anything,” said Superintendent John Bourque of Acadia’s 17.9 average. “We don’t have individualized (by school, etc.) scores yet. We’re still looking at the results and are really going to look at where our problems are.”
While the parish’s numbers are on the uptick as well, the average composite score in the parish among 12th graders this spring was 1.5 points behind the state average and below all of its neighboring parishes.
In the four-year span of 2011-12 to 2014-15, Acadia has seen 51 more seniors score 18 or higher on the ACT, a sign of the improvement Bourque talks about, but so, too, are the other parishes improving.
Jefferson Davis has had 17 more students, Evangeline has had 66, St. Landry has had 98, Vermilion has had 118 and Lafayette has had 257. The state saw 6,312 more students score 18 or higher.
“We were up on the college-going score and we had more qualify for TOPS,” said Bourque. “I think we just need to help bring up some of the other students.”
In regards to those composite scores, Louisiana averaged a 19.4 statewide whereas Acadia Parish averaged 17.9.
Other scores in the area include: St. Landry, 18.7; Evangeline, 18.8; Jeff Davis, 19.2; Vermilion, 19.7; and Lafayette, 20.
“Four years ago, BESE, the Department and local school systems set out to increase the career and college opportunities for students. Raising expectations for all students is not easy but our students are showing they are as smart and capable as any in America,” said State Superintendent John White. “By providing access to more rigorous courses and tests for all students, we are seeing achievement increase across the board. Our state needs to keep raising its expectations if we expect to compete.”
“These encouraging numbers reflect our students’ continuing improvement in academic achievement,” said Chas Roemer, BESE president. “The combination of expanding access to the ACT and raising standards has given more Louisiana students the chance to show what they can do, and the results are inspiring.
“This important progress validates the hard work of students and educators across our state. We must continue raising expectations to ensure that our students are prepared to compete for any job or college placement opportunity.”
The improvement comes after years of raising expectations for math and English in Louisiana, teaching to nationally competitive standards. This growth is also due to comprehensive high school policy changes the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and local school systems began implementing in 2012, including an overhaul of the state’s accountability system, the creation of the Jump Start career education program, and expansion of Advanced Placement courses.
Among particular student populations, African-American students saw the greatest ACT gains. Forty percent more African-American students earned a college-going ACT score this year than did in 2012, growing from 5,202 then to 7,287 now — an increase of more than 40 percent.
The number of Louisiana students achieving qualifying scores at all levels of TOPS scholarships also grew. Nearly 1,000 more students achieved a TOPS score this year than did in 2014, and the number of TOPS-eligible scores has risen by 7,372 since 2012.
Additionally, the number of high school graduates enrolling in college has grown significantly from 19,826 in 2011 to 22,972 in 2014, representing a 16 percent increase.
During the 2012-2013 school year, Louisiana became the 10th state to provide all high school students the opportunity to take the ACT at no charge.
The ACT series of tests, given in eighth through 11th grades to provide parents and students information on college and career readiness, is a central plank of Louisiana Believes – the state’s plan to ensure all children are on track to college or a career.