OCONOMOWOC, WI – September 26, 2017. The Wisconsin ACT at grade 11 measures performance in ELA (English, Reading, and Writing), mathematics, and science and is a college admissions exam taken by students nationwide. The test is part of the Wisconsin Student Assessment System. ACT cut scores are rigorous and aligned to national College Readiness Benchmarks and Wisconsin proficiency standards.
By offering the ACT statewide, all grade 11 students, regardless of family circumstances, have the opportunity to participate in a college readiness assessment. Before the ACT was a required statewide assessment, about 70% of OHS graduates took the ACT.
Improving access to post-secondary readiness options is one way to close our achievement gap and address equity issues in Wisconsin. Students can choose to send their scores to up to four colleges or universities at no cost.
ACT statewide 11th grade results are reported as scores for all sections and College Ready / Not College Ready for English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. These results are also reported as scale scores (1-36) and the performance categories Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced for ELA, Mathematics and Science. These performance categories are Wisconsin-specific and may not be available in other states or nationally.
See https://dpi.wi.gov/assessment/act/data/proficiency for more information about performance categories.
OHS ACT Results at Grade 11
Approximately 400 OHS grade 11 students took the ACT during the spring of 2017.
On a 1-36 scale, OHS students earned an average ACT composite score (20.7) higher than the Wisconsin benchmark (20.2). The OHS performance advantage was greatest in math (+0.8). There was little performance difference in English.
Percent of Students Ready for College
The percentage of OHS students “ready for college” was higher than the Wisconsin benchmark in each subject area. The OHS readiness advantage was greatest in math (+5.1%).
Percent of Students Proficient
The percentage of OHS students demonstrating proficiency by DPI standards was higher than the Wisconsin benchmark in each subject area. The OHS proficiency advantage was greatest in math (+5.4%).
###