ACT Scores Improve in Oswego School District

The composite ACT score for School District 308 increased from 20.7 in 2013 to 21.2 in 2014, the district announced this week, saying the score ties 2012 for the district’s highest composite score over the last five years and remains higher than the state and national average.

“This speaks to the hard work and focused efforts of our teachers, support staff and building administration,” said Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Judith Minor. “The ACT scores we are reporting are due to the culmination of work of all our staff.”

Oswego High School raised its score from a 20.8 to a 21.3 over the last year. Oswego East High School raised its score from 20.7 to 21.1 over the same period. Both high schools finished above state and national averages.

The district experienced a 0.6 point increase in English, 0.9 point increase in reading, 0.3 point increase in math and 0.2 point increase in science from 2013 to 2014.

Minor outlined the district strategy for maintaining test score momentum, which includes:

• Access for online ACT prep for all high school students through Edgenuity.
• Enrollment of more students in rigorous courses such as advanced placement and honors.
• ACT testing of all freshmen and sophomores to inform them of specific support areas to pursue.
• Face-to-face Kaplan ACT prep offerings during the school year.
• Targeted 15-hour ACT mathematics academy for student subgroups not meeting proficiency to earn at least a 22 on the ACT math score.
• Expectation for seniors to retake ACTs for a better score.

The district initiative is to reach a composite score of 24 by 2020. Steps toward reaching that benchmark include:

• Developing English language arts and science curriculum committees to review and recommend new curriculum.
• Developing multi-tier levels of student support.
• Conducting and implementing recommendations for various program audits.
• Providing teachers with proper textbooks and tools to do the job.
• Pursuing higher degree credentials in the hiring of staff and paying for years of experience.
• Applying teaching strategies aligned to researched best practices and pursuing online learning waiver for General State Aid.
• District-wide system for collaboration via professional learning community model training to analyze data on an ongoing basis.
• Implementation of data warehouse to use data to drive decision making.

Improving ACT scores is a School District 308 board-approved priority and is a performance goal of Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wendt.

At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Wendt congratulated the Department of Teaching & Learning, administration, faculty, staff, parents and students. He also extended a thank you to the board for support and establishing high expectations for all employees and students.

”The ACT is one very important factor in determining if our district’s direction is aligned with best practice and a vision toward world-class,” Wendt said. “This year’s results demonstrate School District 308 is on the right path, improving and clearly demonstrating the positive steps to systemic improvement.”