Once again Colorado’s average composite score on the ACT was lower than the national average – and once again state educators pointed out the unfairness of that comparison.
Since 2001, Colorado and Illinois have been the only states to require that 11th-graders take the ACT – an assessment that tests students’ knowledge of English, math, reading and science.
In every other state, students choose whether to take the college admission and placement exam.
“If you look at Colorado’s results against the nation, it’s not apples to apples,” said Ed Colby, ACT spokesman. “It’s not a fair comparison.”
Last spring, 49,146 Colorado high school juniors took the ACT, earning an average composite score of 20.4 on the test – compared with the national average of 21.2.
Against the rest of the nation, Colorado ranked 22nd, behind Arkansas and Texas but ahead of Alabama and Georgia.
State educators are encouraged because Colorado’s average composite scores have improved from 20.2 in 2005 to 20.4 this year.
“It’s not good enough yet,” said Jo O’Brien, head of the state Department of Education’s Office of Learning and Results. “We are looking at having more dedicated discussions with districts and high schools and middle schools.”
State officials last year were able to check whether students scored better on the ACT than they did the year before on the annual Colorado Student Assessment Program, which tests students through grade 10.
Educators assumed that because stakes were higher for the ACT, which is used for college admissions, that scores would be different. But the new data show students’ success was almost the same between the two tests.
“We found there was a 10th of a point difference,” O’Brien said. “We were surprised. My hunch was human nature would want to step up and do better on the ACT.”
Educators also look at the ACT’s benchmark scoring, which is able to match the students’ test scores with whether they would be successful in first-year college courses.
According to the 2007 test, 63 percent of Colorado’s 11th- graders were ready for college English courses; 37 percent were ready for college math; 47 percent were ready for college reading; and 24 percent were ready for college science.
Those numbers were lower than the national averages in all areas tested.
Statewide, the test showed an achievement gap between races and ethnic groups – with whites earning an average composite score of 21.8, compared with Hispanics and blacks, who both had average scores of 17.2.
In Denver Public Schools, students were well below the national and state averages, with an average composite score of 17.15 – a 0.21-point drop from the year before. The only improvement in DPS scores was in math – which showed a 0.11-point gain from the year before.
Staff writer Jeremy P. Meyer can be reached at 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
