ACT COLLEGE READINESS

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SPRING 2015, ALL STUDENTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA WERE GIVEN THE ACT COLLEGE READINESS EXAM.

According to ACT, “the benchmarks are scores on the ACT subject area tests that represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing first-year college courses.”

Though Spartanburg County students score higher on each benchmark than do counterparts state-wide, the results show a need for higher expectations and achievement as students prepare for success in post-secondary study.

It is probable that Spartanburg County and the State of South Carolina will continue their use of the ACT WorkKeys assessment for all students in the 11th grade. Hence, these 2014-15 scores will provide a baseline for SAM’s continued tracking of both measures as partial indices of college and career readiness.

However, the ACT College Readiness assessment remains in the RFP stage and could yield to an alternative college readiness measure yet again.

DURING 2014-15, ONLY 6 STATES PAID FOR ALL STUDENTS TO TAKE THE ACT AS 11TH GRADERS.

Though national comparison data are not now available, we can compare Spartanburg County’s scores among these six states, “apples to apples.”

Spartanburg County is marginally ahead of the state average, ahead of Mississippi and Nevada, but short of Kentucky and North Carolina, and well short of Colorado.