Schools
Tosa's ACT Scores Dip Slightly, But Still Top State Average
More students are encouraged to take college admissions, placement tests every year.
The 's average composite ACT score for 2011 was 23.7, exceeding the state average and most other districts in southeastern Wisconsin, data released Wednesday shows.
The scores were, however, slightly lower than for 2010, which were the highest at both East and West high schools in the past 15 years.
's composite score this year was 24.2, down from its peak last year at 24.5. 's score this year was 23.1, down its high last year of 23.6.
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Part of the reason for the dip, especially at West, may have been because more students took the test, rather than just the highest-performing students.
“Our efforts as a district are aimed at ensuring that all of our students are prepared for college,” said Superintendent Phil Ertl. “In order to do that, we are focused on having more and more students take the ACT, as well as the rigorous coursework that is needed for success at the college level.”
About 66 percent of last year’s graduating seniors took the ACT, a slight increase over the previous year. Also, more Wauwatosa seniors are taking Advanced Placement courses than in previous years, and are doing better on AP exams.
“While the ACT is taken by high school students, we realize that what we do at the elementary and middle school levels, in addition to what we do at the high school level, are critical to our students’ success,” said Ertl. “While we should take pride in these scores, we owe it to our students to continue raising our expectations across all grade levels about what they can achieve.”
The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam designed to measure the academic skills taught in schools and deemed important for success in first-year college courses. All four-year colleges and universities in the United States accept ACT scores as part of prospective students’ academic portfolio.
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Most U.S. four-year universities also use ACT scores to make course placement decisions.
The ACT is administered in all 50 states and is taken by a majority of high school graduates in 27 states. The Wisconsin average score was 22.2.
“The ACT is just one measure of how our district is doing, but it is an important one,” said Ertl. “The scores that were released today show that our continuous improvement efforts are paying off.”
ACT Results - Composite - All Students
East High
2010-11 Compared to Prior Years
Total Fall Enrollment Grade 12 Number Tested Percent Tested Average Score - Composite 2010-11 297 202 68.0% 24.2 2009-10 298 202 67.8% 24.5 2008-09 276 193 69.9% 23.6 2007-08 295 215 72.9% 24.2 2006-07 192 231 120.3% 23.9 2005-06 278 212 76.3% 24.1 2004-05 274 203 74.1% 24.3 2003-04 318 218 68.6% 23.9 2002-03 320 230 71.9% 23.8 2001-02 315 233 74.0% 23.0 2000-01 321 232 72.3% 23.6 1999-00 315 240 76.2% 23.5 1998-99 361 260 72.0% 23.7 1997-98 322 236 73.3% 23.6 1996-97 324 234 72.2% 23.4
ACT Results - Composite - All Students
West High
2010-11 Compared to Prior Years
Total Fall Enrollment Grade 12 Number Tested Percent Tested Average Score - Composite 2010-11 249 168 67.5% 23.1 2009-10 249 151 60.6% 23.6 2008-09 284 193 68.0% 23.5 2007-08 278 183 65.8% 23.4 2006-07 145 176 121.4% 22.8 2005-06 234 168 71.8% 22.9 2004-05 237 168 70.9% 23.2 2003-04 241 153 63.5% 23.2 2002-03 251 169 67.3% 23.0 2001-02 224 156 69.6% 22.8 2000-01 213 145 68.1% 24.0 1999-00 203 135 66.5% 23.4 1998-99 179 99 55.3% 22.8 1997-98 195 116 59.5% 23.1 1996-97 189 122 64.6% 22.5
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