News : ACT scores improve at VSHS

This chart shows improvements in ACT test scores by VSHS students last year.

Vinton-Shellsburg High School Principal Kirk Johnson shared some good news with the VS School Board during their meeting last week: ACT scores went up among VSHS students who took the test last year.

Johnson shared the highlights with the board:

• We were above national averages in all areas
• We increased scores in all areas from last year
• We were above state average in all areas, with the exception of English and Reading where we were .1 below in both areas.

Below is the presentation which Johnson shared:

2010 ACT DATA ANALYSIS

VINTON-SHELLSBURG

HIGH SCHOOL

V-S CSD Board of Education

September 20, 2010

Objective: The data, analysis, and information contained in this report is aimed to serve as a resource and plan of action for the Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools

Identified Stakeholder Groups: Vinton-Shellsburg Board of Education, Vinton-Shellsburg Community, Vinton-Shellsburg Students, Vinton-Shellsburg Administrative Team, Vinton-ShellsburgHigh SchoolLeadership Team, and the Vinton-ShellsburgHigh SchoolStaff.

Background of Data: The results profiled in this report are based on all students who graduated from Vinton-ShellsburgHigh Schoolin the spring of 2010 and who took the ACT during their sophomore, junior, or senior year on a national test date. If a student tested more than once, only their most recent score is used. Those students who tested residually or tested under extended time conditions are not included.

What is measured & How the ACT data is used: The ACT comprises four curriculum-based achievement tests designated to assess critical reasoning and higher-order thinking skills in English, mathematics, reading and science. These tests reflect students’ skills and achievement levels as products of their high school experience and serve as critical measures of their preparation for academic coursework beyond high school.

Factors that impact ACT achievement:School results can be effective by the number and percentage of students who elect to take the ACT. Many factors – among them, motivation and the desire to learn, parental support, the quality of teaching, socioeconomic status, and extracurricular experiences – contribute to individual and group student achievement. However, a core college-preparatory program can be identified as one significant precondition to success on the ACT and in postsecondary studies.

Benchmark Scores

ACT English Benchmark Score = 18

ACT Math

Benchmark Score = 22

ACT Reading Benchmark Score = 21

ACT Biology Benchmark Score = 24

A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college course.

Plan of Action to Improve V-S HS ACT Scores:

1. Focus on ComprehensiveSchoolImprovement: The Vinton-ShellsburgCommunitySchool Districtis working to create a clear and common focus for continuous school improvement. The utilization of our ACT data can serve a role in school improvement. We utilize data sets within the Vinton-Shellsburg District, for example in: high school administrative meetings, leadership team meetings, Iowa Core Curriculum teams, and SINA activities.

1. Establish High Expectations for All: Our culture must identify and communicate the need for all students to meet or exceed College Readiness Benchmark Scores. ACT suggests analyzing the College Readiness Benchmark Score results in lieu of (suggests it is much more “meaningful and understandable”) than analyzing an average composite score for a group of students.

1. Develop and Require a Rigorous Curriculum: We have began the process of enhancing our curriculum development. Upon completion of that, the continuous review and evaluation of the rigor and alignment of courses offered and required in our school in English, mathematics, and science to ensure that the foundational skills leading to readiness for college-level work are taught and articulated across the developed curriculum.

1. Focus on Preparation Efforts: This process has and will continue to include examination of our preparation of students – through informal, formal, or in outreaching ways. Included in this could be: EXPLORE assessment (8th grade), classroom instruction, on-site preparation offerings, and ACT online resources.