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For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
MMSD students increased their average composite score on the ACT to 24.6 (scale 1 to 36), up four-tenths of a percent from last year. This is the highest average composite score attained by Madison students since the district began keeping ACT records 22 years ago, during the 1984-85 school year.
In 2006-07, MMSD students continued to outperform their peers in the state and the nation on the ACT. District students outscored their state peers by 2.3 points and their national peers by 3.4 points, scoring 10% higher and 16% higher, respectively. The average ACT score for Wisconsin increased slightly, 22.3, compared to last year, 22.2, while the average national score remained unchanged at 21.2.
For the second consecutive year, the District's minority students posted gains in their average ACT composite scores, and also surpassed state and national peers. MMSD's African American students' scores increased from 18.8 last year to 19.2 in 2007; the state and nation's scores for African American students were at 17.0 for 2007. The district's Asian students' scores grew slightly moving from 23.0 to 23.2, while the state's scores for Asian students decreased from 20.4 in 2006 to 20.1 in 2007; nationally, the sub-group scored 22.6 in 2007. Local Hispanic students' composite scores increased from 21.8 to 22.4 similarly, the state's scores for Hispanic students moved from 19.6 in 2006 to 20.0 in 2007; nationally, Hispanic students scored 18.7 in 2007.
Sixty-nine percent of all MMSD 12th grade students participated in the ACT during 2006-07, compared to 70% last year. Over the last 13 years, MMSD participation has ranged from 67-74% (see pg. 2 table).
Education experts generally agree that with an increase in low-income students, standardized tests scores will slip. While an increase in low-income students is the trend in Madison, test scores continue to improve. "Our core mission continues to be classroom excellence," said Superintendent Art Rainwater. "Many share the accolades for this achievement — parents, dedicated teachers, and hard-working students. This is an accomplishment our entire community should be proud of."
The ACT exam is administered locally by the American College Testing Program, and covers English, math, reading, science reasoning, and includes an optional writing component (nearly 75 percent of MMSD students took the optional writing component). The ACT is one of two major tests (SAT is the other) for students planning to enter a four-year college.
%MMSD 12th Year Madison WI US Graders Tested 2006-07 24.6 22.3 21.2 69% 2005-06 24.2 22.2 21.1 70% 2004-05 24.3 22.2 20.9 74% 2003-04 24.2 22.2 20.9 70% 2002-03 23.9 22.2 20.8 68% 2001-02 24.4 22.2 20.8 67% 2000-01 24.1 22.2 21.0 70% 1999-00 24.2 22.2 21.0 72% 1998-99 24.4 22.3 21.0 67% 1997-98 24.5 22.3 21.0 67% 1996-97 24.5 22.3 21.0 70% 1995-96 23.8 22.1 20.9 71% 1994-95 23.5 22.0 20.8 70%
Public Information Office
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-663-1879
email: newsrelease@madison.k12.wi.us