While Tennessee’s ACT scores dipped in 2011 from the previous year’s numbers, the average ACT scores of Metro Nashville Public School students stayed the same.
Still, there’s little reason to celebrate.
Just like in 2010, Metro students in 2011 scored a composite average of 18.1 out of 36 on the ACT, a test used nationwide by universities to determine college readiness.
The score is nearly a full point lower than the state’s 19.0 ACT average, which ranks Tennessee 49th of 50 states nationally in ACT test scores, leading only Mississippi.
The ACT released statewide scores last week as part of its “Condition of College and Career Readiness” report. A year ago, Tennessee students had earned a composite average of 19.1.
Kevin Huffman, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education, called the new results “unacceptable” in a statement.
Metro’s district-wide ACT test scores were made available late last week, according to MNPS spokeswoman Olivia Brown. She said the number of students taking the test in Metro increased 8 percent from 2010 to 2011, a jump from 3,654 students to 3,969 students.
High school juniors and seniors typically take the test. Brown said she did not have demographic breakdowns of ACT test results.
Looking at the statewide results, 24 percent of students earned college-ready math scores, 55 percent in English, 38 percent in reading and 17 percent in science.
The statewide report revealed a wide achievement gap between white and black students. Only 7 percent of black students statewide earned college-ready math scores in math, according to ACT results.
By law, 100 percent of Tennessee high school graduates take the ACT.