Area ACT scores improve

Despite a stagnant national average and a lower statewide average on the ACT college entrance test, the Lowcountry's three largest school districts posted gains on the exam.

Students in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester District 2 improved their composite scores to 19.1, 20.6 and 21.8, respectively, on the 36-point test, while the national average stayed at 21.1 and the state average dropped one-tenth of a point to 19.8.

Although a dramatic increase in the number of test-takers typically results in a downturn in scores, local districts' improvement coincides with an increase in the number of students taking the exam. More than 160 additional students took the exam here, for a total of 1,786.

State education officials pointed out that the state's average was the same as last year without non-public school students, but the inclusion of those students, which made up 13.5 percent of test-takers, resulted in the state's average score dropping by one-tenth of a point. ACT doesn't release private schools' scores; it's up to individual schools to decide whether to release results.

The number of public school students taking the exam increased 16.5 percent statewide from last year, and the state's scores have shown a gradual increase for the last five years until now.

"I think even though it's not statistically valid or significant, to hold your own with that kind of jump (in the number of test-takers) is a pretty good sign," state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said.

The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement test designed to measure the academic skills taught in schools, but a majority of the state's students take the SAT college entrance exam, which is an aptitude test. Those results are scheduled for release next week. These ACT scores are from students who graduated in 2009, regardless of when they took the test.

For the second consecutive year, Charleston County had the strongest improvement on its composite score among local districts, increasing four-tenths of a point to 20.6. The district's composite score is 1.1 points higher than two years ago. ACT considers a change of three-tenths of a point to be statistically significant.

Janet Rose, the district's executive director of assessment and accountability, said that while all South Carolina colleges and universities accept ACT or SAT scores, the ACT is becoming more accepted among students. More high-achieving district students are taking the exam, and the number of test-takers district-wide increased by 65 to 834 students this year.

James Island Charter High had the biggest one-year gain among Charleston County schools with more than 10 test-takers, going from 19.9 to 20.8 this year. School Principal Bob Bohnstengel attributed the higher scores in part to a school-based initiative that allows students to take a 45-hour course geared mostly toward preparing for the SAT for $100. The charter school's board covers the majority of the prep class' cost, which also benefits those taking the ACT. The school began doing this two years ago, and its scores steadily have risen.

The school's counselors also have made a concerted effort to ensure that students are taking the college entrance exam that best meets their needs, Bohnstengel said.

"It's very encouraging, but what we've got to make certain of is not to get too cocky about it," he said. Far too many schools ride the roller coaster of up and down test scores, he said. "We've been down that road. Now the bar is set."

Berkeley schools' average increased two-tenths of a point to 19.1, while its number of test-takers grew from 522 to 615. Dorchester 2 scores improved one-tenth of a point to 21.8, the highest average in the Lowcountry, while its number of test-takers grew by 7.

Dorchester 4, which has only one high school, saw its average drop one-tenth of a point to 15.9, and its number of test-takers increased by 13.

ACT scores

The ACT is scored on a 36-point scale. Scores for schools with an inadequate sample size of test takers are not listed.

SCHOOL OR DISTRICT — 2009 — 2008 — 2007

Berkeley County — 19.1 — 18.9 — 18.7

Berkeley High — 19.1 — 19.1 — 18.5

Cross High — 16.7 — 15.9 — 16.2

Goose Creek High — 18.3 — 19.3 — 17.9

Hanahan High — 20 — 20 — 19.1

Stratford High — 20.7 — 20 — 20.5

Timberland High — 17.4 — 16.5 — 16.9

Charleston County — 20.6 — 20.2 — 19.5

Academic Magnet — 27.3 — 26.6 — 26.4

Baptist Hill High — 14.4 — 14.8 — 16.6

Burke High — 15.7 — 15.6 — 14.7

School of the Arts — 23.5 — 23.3 — 23.4

Charlestowne Academy — 15.5 — N/A — 18.6

Garrett Academy — 16.4 — 15.7 — 16.4

James Island Charter High — 0.8 — 19.9 — 19.7

Lincoln High — N/A — N/A — 16.2

Military Magnet — 15 — 14.8 — 15.1

North Charleston High — 15.6 — 15.1 — 15.1

Stall High — 16.3 — 16.2 — 15.7

St. John's High — 17.2 — 17.1 — 16.7

Clark Academy — 14.4 — 12.4 — N/A

Wando High — 22.9 — 22.4 — 21.7

West Ashley High — 18.7 — 19.4 — 19.1

Dorchester 2 — 21.8 — 21.7 — 21.3

Fort Dorchester High — 22.1 — 22.1 — 21.2

Summerville High — 21.7 — 21.5 — 21.4

Dorchester 4

Woodland High — 15.9 — 16 — 15.8

State average — 19.8 — 19.9 — 19.6

National average — 21.1 — 21.1 — 21.2

— Source: S.C. Department of Education

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.