"You are receiving this email because you opted to receive information from OSPI about this topic. To manage your subscriptions, click here [ [link removed] ]."

"Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ]."

OSPI Default Header




Washington Students See High Performance on National ACT Test

Superintendent Chris Reykdal

*OLYMPIA?October 16, 2023?*The College Board has released results from the 2023 ACT high school assessment. The data show that Washington?s students continue to perform in the top 15 states, and that Washington is 1 of just 5 states that has seen an increase in scores since 2021, the first ?typical? year after the major impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the Class of 2023, 78% of Washington?s test-takers met the college preparedness benchmark in English language arts, 71% met the benchmark in math, 61% in reading, and 61% in science. Of all Washington test-takers, 50% met the college preparedness benchmark in all four areas assessed. Compared to peer states??defined as states with similar rates of student participation??Washington?s test-takers performed right on par with their peers.

"?From the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to ACT scores, we consistently see Washington?s students outperforming the nation when similar groups of students are assessed,? said *State Superintendent Chris Reykdal*. ?While we have important progress to make following the pandemic, learning recovery and acceleration is taking place every day in our schools with the leadership and hard work of our teachers, paraeducators, counselors, principals, and other school staff under the guidance of locally elected school boards.?"

Across the nation, ACT participation rates vary by state. Some states require participation for all graduates, and some colleges and universities still require participation for admission. In Washington, the ACT is not required for graduation or for admission to a public college or university. The percentage of students in Washington who took the ACT prior to graduation was about 6% of students from the Class of 2023.

"?Washington?s ACT scores are substantially higher than the national average, but that is not the comparison we focus on,? *Reykdal* continued. ?For this assessment, we focus on our students that are likely the most clearly focused on university admissions, and we compare ourselves only to states who test a similar percentage of their students. Even with that focus, Washington?s students perform exceedingly well, and these learners should be very proud of their hard work.?"

The ACT is intended to measure whether a student is ?fully prepared? for college and university level learning by assessing their mastery of concepts in English language arts, math, reading, and science. Most students take the test in the 11th or 12th grade.

While the ACT test-taking population is very narrow, more than half of Washington?s students enroll in college or a university within their first year after graduating high school, and declining rates of enrollment in remedial courses in higher education show that more of Washington?s students are entering college ?prepared? than ever before.

Washington?s public K?12 education system has continued to prioritize the expansion of student access to advanced courses and college-level learning while in high school. Last school year, 72% of Washington?s high school graduates had already completed a college-level course upon their high school graduation. The ACT data are one more indicator that acceleration efforts in Washington state make a difference for students.



________________________________________________________________________



In addition, nearly every student group saw an increase in their 4-year graduation rate, and many persistent opportunity gaps are closing.






*ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
*

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

OSPI Building Entrance







*STAY IN TOUCH
*Website [ [link removed] ] | Twitter [ [link removed] ] | Facebook [ [link removed] ] | Instagram [ [link removed] ] | YouTube [ [link removed] ]?|?Contact Us [ [link removed] ]

*SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
*Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

"OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), [email protected]. "

"This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider."



?

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction ? 600 Washington St. S.E. ? Olympia, WA 98504 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;}