The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following statement.
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has released ACT results for the spring 2020 statewide administration of the ACT to all public high school juniors.
The average score for juniors increased from 17.6 in 2019 to 17.7 in 2020. The percentage of juniors meeting the benchmark scores for all four tested ACT subjects increased from 9% the previous two years to 10%.
Scores for Mississippi public school students who graduated in 2020 decreased from 18.1 to 17.9, and the percentage of students meeting all four benchmarks remained flat at 10%.
The national average ACT score for all students in the class of 2020, which includes public and private school students, was 20.6, down from 20.7 in 2019. ACT scores nationwide have dropped in recent years as the population of students taking the test has broadened.
The ACT is designed to predict how well students will perform in college, and colleges use standardized tests like the ACT to compare students across schools and states. ACT research shows students who take four or more years of English and three or more years each of math, social studies and natural science typically outperform their peers who report taking fewer courses in these subjects.
“Taking certain courses in high school substantially increases students’ readiness for college-level work and workforce training programs,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Families are encouraged to work with high school counselors to ensure students are taking courses that will prepare them for their goals after graduation.”
The MDE provides districts with training related to analyzing ACT data, evaluating course taking patterns and designing ACT preparation courses. All school districts are now required to offer two specialized classes, the Essentials for College Literacy and the Essentials for College Math, to seniors who are on the cusp of meeting the ACT benchmark scores. All students who earn a grade of 80% or higher in these courses are entitled to enter credit-bearing college courses, without remediation, at all Mississippi public universities and community colleges.
Kingfish note: There were 1,423 fewer test-takers in 2020 than in 2019. Click on the link in the opening paragraph to see the raw data.
11 comments:
King - I'm glad you posted your note.
My understanding is that a lot of colleges no longer require ACT scores. Thus, the number of test-takers is decreasing.
"ACT scores nationwide have dropped in recent years as the population of students taking the test has broadened."
Anyone care to interpret that?
Every 11th grader in MS takes the ACT.
When the vast majority of young men applying for work didn't understand the instructions on the application to list their work history with the LAST JOB FIRST and were unable to follow the instructions to print their name LAST name first, MIDDLE INITIAL, FIRST NAME I tossed their application without any further consideration.
Schools are doing a miserable job of educating students for the real world in so many ways and to hell with ACTs and SATs.
ACT/SAT scores still rule the distribution of scholarship dollars.
Higher education at public universities in Mississippi at this point is strictly a numbers game. Get as many in school as you can and collect tuitions to support their bloated budgets. Loans, pell grants etc etc whatever is available just take their money and run. Didn't use to be like that.
I’m quite confident that JPS scolar’z scores will be WAY up this next year given the fact that they all have attended virtual classes for much of the year. The JPS powers that be have decided that students and teachers be given a Spring brake this upcoming week due to the arduous pace of this school year. How, just tell me how, JPS ca justify this ridiculous break!
Actual College Website instructions.
ACT Test: All incoming students under the age of 21 must take the ACT test. If you haven’t taken the ACT on one of the national test dates, you can take the Residual ACT through (College X) Counseling Center. (College X) administers the Residual ACT test to incoming students only. Pre-registration is required and there is a $45 fee. Students who are NOT satisfied with their ACT scores can CHOOSE to take the ACCUPLACER test, administered by (College X), instead of taking the ACT again.
Students over 21 can take either the ACT OR the ACCUPLACER test to satisfy entrance and placement requirements.
The ACCUPLACER exam is a college preparedness test that measures a student's skills in reading, writing, & math. While something LIKE the SAT or ACT is used to qualify you for admission into a university, the ACCUPLACER test is about precisely placing you at the correct level of introductory classes.
(You are assured of getting in, but possibly in remedial classes = more tuition/Grant money for the college)
Unlike the ACT, there is NO time limit & NO Pass/Fail standard. Each College determines IF a minimum is needed for admittance.
For those who have a slower reading pace or who just need to read through a passage a few times before they really absorb it, you’ll be happy to know that this test has NO time limit. You can read as slowly as you wish or read the passage over again as many times as you need to feel like you have really understood the information and ideas.
You can even take notes & write down the test passage for use in answering the 20 multiple choice test questions.
Here is a prep video on math with sample questions. Remember to PAUSE the video if needed because there is no time limit on the test which contains 20 multiple choice questions. A calculator is allowed.
https://youtu.be/dofK2Ay9KFE
Overall, I think the ACT and SAT are jokes. I knew kids that crushed it that flamed out of college after a year, and some that barely got low 20's that were very successful in college and doing well in life in comparison.
@9:15am Mic drop brother. Colleges (especially in Mississippi) are nothing more than a "good jobs" program for friends and family members.
ACT/SATS historically were only a decent measure of how well one would do their first few years at the college level. Now they are only used to capture scholarships, etc. The tests have ZERO bearing how on well one will do over the course of their lifetime, and do not account for resiliency and determination. Yes, many with very good scores flame out sooner or later due to entitlement and privilege that crippled them for life.
Mississippi school for math & science at 29.6 composite is head and shoulders above the rest.
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