DES MOINES Iowa
Iowa high school graduates’ average ACT scores increased slightly this year and remain among the highest nationally.
The average composite score for Iowa students who graduated this year was 22.3 1.1 points higher than the national average and tied for ninth best nationwide. Among the 26 states that had at least half their graduates taking the test, Iowa tied for second with Wisconsin. Minnesota was first with a 22.5 average score.
The results were released Wednesday by ACT, the Iowa City-based nonprofit that owns the college entrance exam. Scores range from 1 to 36 and cover math, science, English and reading. Colleges and universities nationwide use them to help determine admissions, scholarships and academic advising.
Iowa’s score increased 0.2 percentage points from a year ago, when it ranked third nationally. Sixty-six percent of the state’s graduating seniors took the exam.
“The educational improvements we’ve put in place are paying off,” said Linda Nelson, president of the Iowa State Education Association. “But we’re not content to rest on our laurels. Iowa’s teachers pledge to continue focusing on the things that really make a difference for student achievement.”
Nationally, the high school class of 2007 posted a modest increase, extending the test’s upward scoring trend and showing improved levels of preparation for college.
