Class of 2009 just a prepared for college as ACT scores remain steady

The Class of 2009 is just as prepared for college academics as the previous year’s graduates, according to American College Testing (ACT) composite scores recently released by the state.

Locally, the district average in St. Mary Parish increased a tenth of a point, from 19.9 to 20.

Lafourche Parish remained unchanged at 19.9, and Terrebonne Parish’s average score dropped from 19.8 to 19.6.

“I commend our 2009 graduates for continuing to raise the bar of performance on the ACT,” said Dr. David Aguillard, St. Mary Parish Schools superintendent. “I would like to offer my sincere thanks to our high school teachers for preparing our students to meet and exceed state standards.”

The ACT predicts college success by measuring College Readiness Benchmark Scores in reading, math, English and science.

Statewide, the average ACT composite score fell from 20.3 to 20.1 this year. The national average was unchanged at 21.1.

“There are bright spots and low spots,” said Terrebonne Schools Superintendent Philip Martin. “The bottom line is the state went down two-tenths of a point and so did we. Statistically, that’s probably considered inconsequential.”

This is the fifth consecutive year St. Mary has raised its composite ACT score. The 1.1-point increase, from 18.9 in 2004 to 20.0 in 2009, outpaces the state’s growth of .3 points and the country’s .2 points over the same time period.

“The district continues to challenge our high school students to work vigorously toward completion of the Louisiana Core 4 Curriculum that better prepares them for the university setting,” Aguillard said. “I fully expect continued academic gains as the district is committed to raising achievement.”

During the last five years, Lafourche has raised its composite score by .6 points, 19.3 to 19.9. Terrebonne’s has jumped .5 points, from 19.1 to 19.6.

“I made that clear from the beginning of the school year that our goal is not the state average,” Martin insisted. “Our goal is to exceed the national average.”

Martin claimed the average ACT scores are somewhat misleading because they measure students that take a college prep curriculum and those that don’t.

“The kids that take the college prep curriculum, they are the national average,” he said. “So we encourage students who are planning to go to college to schedule accordingly and take the higher level math and science courses.”

“We’re trying to make students aware when they’re scheduling to take it seriously and not just take easy courses in their junior and senior years to give themselves a break,” he added.