Cherokee School District Sees Increase in ACT Scores

Staff Report

Cherokee County School District’s class of 2014 continued to top national and state averages on the ACT, with more seniors than ever before choosing to take the challenging college entrance and placement examination.

The district average ACT composite — or total — score on the curriculum-based test is 22.6, increasing from 20.8 over the past decade; the national average is 21, and the state average is 20.8.

The number of class of 2014 seniors who took the ACT also climbed to 1,377 - 56% of the senior class, which is a rise from 1,283 and 51% the previous year. The ACT is taken either in lieu of the SAT or in conjunction with the SAT. Students receive an ACT score reported on a scale of 1 to 36.

“The class of 2014 excelled in mastering the knowledge tested by the ACT despite the challenges of larger class sizes resulting from state austerity budget cuts and a slowly recovering local tax digest,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said. “We commend the students and their teachers, administrators, parents, volunteers and community supporters for this continued success.”

The ACT will be administered this year on Sept. 13, Oct. 25, Dec. 13, Feb. 7, 2015, April 18, 2015, and June 13, 2015 at the district’s high schools. Counselors are prepared to advise students in regard to registration and online preparation materials, the school district said.

“We are dedicated to the progress of every student to ensure they each master the knowledge and skills needed to succeed after graduation as they pursue higher education and as they begin their careers,” the superintended added.

See the attached .PDF to review the district’s memo and charts that show the average average composite score and scores in the individual subjects for the district and all of its high schools; and a comparison to district data from the previous two years, as well as to national and state average scores.

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