More ACT

Mary Possin forwarded a 2007 report from the state comparing ACT scores and college freshman GPA's both statewide and for MG graduates. The data includes MG students who graduated between 2003 and 2005 and attended the state university system. One chart: http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu251/petersobol/MGHSACTReadinessPG5.jpg

The data shows the correlation in aggregate between the ACT scores and college success, at least in the first semester. Unfortunately I don't have access to the raw data for a real statistical analysis, because I would like to see how this works on an individual basis, but the data does strongly reinforce the idea that the ACT college readiness standards are a good way to go.

Interestingly the data shows MG students outperform the statewide average for a given ACT score, something we need to consider as we move ahead with curriculum alignment.

ACT scores

Wednesday the board will hear a report about the district's ACT scores. As you may be aware our district now requires all juniors to take the ACT as we believe that the ACT is a more useful measure of academic progress than the state mandated WKCE. In the past the MG district has had ACT voluntary participation rates of about 60-70%, this compares to results for 92% of students reported for 2008-9 under the new policy. No other district in Dane county or CESA 2 reports participation rates higher than 75%. Without mandatory participation there is a significant selection bias in the reported results.

With the higher participation rate last year's data shows a drop in our average scores (Composite is 21.7 v. 22.5 in 2007-8), but we don't have a good basis for comparison with other district that use mandatory ACT testing.

Personally I think comparison with other districts is not important. What is important is how well prepared our students are for life, and how well we are improving on that mission. Toward those ends the ACT rates students to a "college readiness benchmark" in 4 content areas: English, Algebra, Social Science, and Biology. Students meeting the benchmark have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher in corresponding college course work. How do we stack up? The results, which I find disturbing are:

% of MG students meeting benchmark:
English Composition 68%
Algebra 49%
Social Science 52%
Biology 35%
All 4 28%

When only 30% of our students are prepared for college in all area it is clear we have significant work to do, but with the EPAS testing program in place we now have a better framework to understand our strengths and weaknesses and on which to build improvements.

A history of MG students post graduate plans can be found by clicking here.