JHS ACT Scores Indicate College Readiness

Johnston, IOWA – The Johnston Community School District (JCSD) has received the results of the 2015-2016 ACT tests. The 381 students who completed the exam had a composite average of 24.3 (out of a possible 36) and scored 2.1 points higher on all subject areas of the test compared to the state average composite score of 22.2.

The report reflects the achievement of Johnston High School seniors who chose to take the test and provides an indication of the extent to which they are prepared for college-level work. The ACT tests students in the areas of English, mathematics, reading, and science, measuring skills needed for success in the first year of college.

“The ACT is an important measure of aptitude and readiness for students who will be attending a four-year college or university after graduation,” said Bruce Amendt. “It is an accurate assessment of a student’s knowledge in a given area. Colleges see this as a good indicator of a student’s overall competency and academic strengths.”

The 2015-2016 report includes district and state score averages for the past five years. The number of students taking the ACT in Johnston has slowly ticked up since 2010 while the number of students taking the test statewide has varied by a few hundred students each year. Nearly 80 percent (79.2) of graduating students took the ACT in 2015-16.

The report, issued by ACT, also measures the percentage of students ready for college-level coursework in English composition, algebra, social science, and biology. ACT defines college readiness as “a subject-area benchmark score needed on an ACT subject-test to indicate a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75 percent chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses.” Johnston students scored at least 14 percent or higher in the subject areas as compared to state average scores. College readiness of all four subject areas pushed Johnston students 15 percent higher than the state average.

“The ACT scores from the Class of 2016 demonstrate their academic talent and determination,” said JHS principal Ryan Woods. “When we think of how we’d like our college-bound students to enter post-secondary education, these scores are a testament to their readiness. These are scores our students, teachers, and staff are very proud of.”

View the ACT report here.