Williamson County Students Set ACT Record

FRANKLIN, TN — Williamson County Schools set a goal of an average ACT composite score of 24 and the graduating class of 2016 blew right by it.

While the state Department of Education's annual report card reports the district's average at 24.4, numerous errors — which the department has pledged to correct — were discovered and the actual average is 24.7.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney said this year's record-breaking performance is extra special.

“I am extremely proud of the fact that we have now surpassed the district goal of reaching an average composite score of 24," said Looney. "We have been working to accomplish this for a decade. It is important to me that the public understand that our 24.7 average composite score is, in part, a result of the state changing how ACT scores are reported. In past years, the TNDOE only reported students’ last score. I am thankful that they now have switched to counting students’ highest scores, which is what colleges across the country consider."

Looney says he is equally impressed with the high percentage of WCS students who met the ACT benchmark needed to qualify for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. According to the latest figures, nearly 80 percent of WCS students earned the lottery-backed scholarship.

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