Students get mixed results on ACT

Hawaii students' scores on the college-entrance ACT exam dropped slightly from last year but remained above the national average, according to results being released today.

ACT scores Here's how Hawaii public and private high school graduates from the Class of 2008 and 2007 performed on the ACT college-entrance exam, compared to the national average in parentheses. The maximum score is 36 points. Year English Math Reading Science » 2008 20.8(20.6) 22.3(21) 21.6(21.4) 21.2(20.8) » 2007 21.6(20.7) 22.9(21) 22.2(21.5) 21.9(21) Source: ACT Inc.

Public and private high school graduates of the class of 2008 averaged 21.6 points out of a possible 36, down from 22.3 posted last year, but still above the national average, which fell to 21.1 from 21.2.

Like last year, the best showing for isle students came in math, with a 22.3 average score, followed by reading at 21.6, science at 21.2 and English at 20.8.

Results show that about one in four Hawaii test-takers, or 26 percent, met ACT benchmarks in all four subjects, suggesting they are ready for college work. That's down from the 30 percent of state students who achieved across-the-board targets last year.

Students unable to reach the testing goals are more likely to need help to pass college courses, said ACT spokesman Scott Gomer.

"Without (a) remedial class, they might struggle in the first-year courses," he said. "That makes it more difficult for them to stay in college and complete their degrees."

There were 3,182 Hawaii students, or 23 percent of graduates, who took the exam, up from 2,589 last year.

"The growth in test takers shows that more students are interested in college and are taking greater responsibility for their college and career paths," said Daniel Hamada, assistant schools superintendent.

He added that the test results validate efforts to inform students about college opportunities through career fairs, counseling, and partnerships with colleges.

Nationally, more than three in four students who took the ACT are expected to require extra support in at least one college subject.

But the ACT's creators said it was good news that average scores held nearly steady even as more students took the exam. That means the total number who've earned benchmark scores showing they're ready for college-level work is rising.

A record 1.42 million -- or 43 percent -- of this year's high school graduates took the ACT, as participation rose by 9 percent.

"More students are reaching at least a minimum level of readiness for college-credit courses," said Cyndie Schmeiser, president and chief operating officer of the ACT Education Division.

Most colleges accept scores from either the ACT or SAT, though they test different material. The ACT, which costs $31, is more curriculum-based, while the SAT focuses more on basic skills. SAT results for the class of 2008 are due later this month.

The ACT, an Iowa-based nonprofit, says a major part of the shortfall in college readiness is that students are failing to complete a core curriculum of college-prep courses. Students who take a recommended core sequence -- four years of English and three each of math, science and social studies -- are significantly more likely to meet benchmarks.

But ACT also maintains the core courses need more rigor.

School-by-school scores on the state's key standardized test were released yesterday by the state Department of Education and are available in the link below. More than 91,500 students from third through eighth grade as well as 10th grade took the 2008 Hawaii State Assessment in reading and math in the spring. It measures how well students have mastered the content standards for their grade, indicating whether they "exceed," "meet," "approach" or fall "well below" proficiency in reading and math. Sixty-two percent of isle students tested in the exam scored proficient in reading, up from 60 percent a year ago. In math, 43 percent of them were proficient, compared with 39 percent last year. The Web link also includes a test known as TerraNova, similar to the SAT, that allows comparison with students across the country » HSA 2008 Math TerraNova Grouped Stanines » HSA 2008 Reading TerraNova Grouped Stanines » HSA 2008 Math Proficiency Level & Status » HSA 2008 Reading Proficiency Level & Status