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**Updated 9/18/2017**
School-Level ACT results: Excel | PDF district scores | PDF school scores
September
7, 2017 – Georgia’s
students showed continued improvement on the ACT in 2017, increasing the
state’s average composite score and the percentage of students meeting the ACT
College Readiness Benchmarks.
Georgia’s
average composite score of 21.4 was higher, for the second consecutive year and
the second time in state history, than the national average of 21. Georgia also
outperformed the nation in English, reading, science, and mathematics.
“Georgia
students continue to increase their scores – and outpace the nation – on the
ACT,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “This is a testament to
the hard work of Georgia’s students and educators as they enjoy greater
flexibility and fewer state restrictions in the classroom. We are seeing our
students’ performance trending upward on multiple indicators of academic
achievement, and seeing positive signs like a four-percentage-point jump in the
percentage of students meeting the College Readiness Benchmark for reading is
encouraging as we continue to focus on literacy.”
Georgia
students’ scores increase
Georgia
students’ average composite score rose from 21.1 in 2016 to 21.4 in 2017, with
all subject area scores increasing as well: from 20.7 to 21 in English, 20.6 to
20.9 in mathematics, 21.8 to 22 in reading, and 21 to 21.3 in science. All of
these subject-area scores outpaced the national averages of 20.3 in English,
20.7 in mathematics, 21.4 in reading, and 21 in science.
Between
2013 and 2017, the number of students taking the ACT in Georgia has increased
by 8,926 students.
Gains
across subject areas
In
addition to a rising composite score, the percentage of students meeting the
ACT College Readiness Benchmarks increased in all subject areas: from 65 to 66
percent in English, 40 to 41 percent in mathematics, 47 to 51 percent in
reading, and 36 to 38 percent in science. The College Readiness Benchmarks are
scores on the ACT subject-area tests that represent the level of achievement
required for students to have a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher,
or about a 75 percent chance of obtaining a C or higher, in corresponding
credit-bearing first-year college courses.
2017
ACT results also bought positive news in the area of equity, as the average
composite scores for Georgia’s two largest minority groups increased. The
average score for African American students increased from 18 in 2016 to 18.1
in 2017, and the average score for Hispanic students increased from 20.2 in
2016 to 20.5 in 2017.