An important component of the average composite score is how many people actually took the test. As the number of people who take the test increases, there is a greater chance of lower scores that lower the overall average composite.
When you look at the seven states scoring 23 or above, all of them have small percentages of students tested when compared to other states. Massachusetts had the highest average composite score of 23.9 with just 18 percent of the graduating class tested.
Connecticut and New Hampshire each had average composite scores of 23.5. Connecticut saw 21 percent of its graduates tested, while New Hampshire was just 15 percent.
Maine, New Jersey, New York and Vermont all had average composite scores of 23.1. Maine saw just 9 percent of its graduates tested, New Jersey 16 percent, New York 25 percent and Vermont 24 percent. North Dakota’s average composite score sits at 21.5, but saw 78 percent of its graduating class tested. As the state Department of Public Instruction stated in a news release, the state’s average ACT score is down slightly this year compared to last year. The trend of the past few years, however, is one of incremental growth.
During the past five years, the national average composite has moved from 20.9 to 21.1. North Dakota’s average composite has increased from 21.3 to 21.5.
The state DPI also states there is a strong correlation between higher ACT average scores and student enrollments in more than the required ACT core curriculum courses. North Dakota students taking more than the required core curriculum courses earned an average composite score of 22.6, which is above the national average of 22.
Meanwhile, the state DPI also reports the 4 percent of North Dakota students who took the ACT test and are Native American scored lower than other ethnic groups with a 17.8 composite score. The 56 percent of American Indian students taking core curriculum or more score an 18.7 average composite.
There is a good likelihood, however, that the state’s average composite is ready to take a serious swing. This is because the state DPI also reports that starting this school year, each junior has the choice of taking either the ACT exam for post-secondary preparedness, or the Workkeys assessment for career readiness.
These assessments are to be administered statewide this coming spring, allowing students the opportunity to select senior-year courses.
This option for testing is a new legislative requirement that allows students to better prepare for college or entering the workforce, which is a very good step. Remember, however, this change most likely is going to set a new benchmark for ACT and other post-secondary test scores.
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