By Tony
Pennington
Transcript
Staff Writer
Local high schools and minorities are among positives to emerge from
Wednesday's release of the 2005 ACT national and local composite scores.
Based on the performance of 2005 graduates, ACT compiled its test
information to measure the college readiness of among high school students.
While Oklahoma's average score is 20.4- the national average is 20.9 - several
area districts posted significantly higher numbers.
It doesn't end there. It appears more of Oklahoma's Hispanic population
is taking the ACT, and Native American students are outperforming their peers
on a national level.
Out of more than 400 high schools with a reported score, Norman High
School and Norman North High School had top ten finishes. With a composite of
23, Norman High is seventh in the state and Norman North is not far behind with
a 22.9 for ninth. Moore Public Schools place both of the district's high
schools in the top 100. Westmoore High School is 28th with a 21.8 average and
Moore High School is tied for 89th with nine schools including Lexington with a
20.7. Among other local schools and scores are: Noble, 20.4, 114th; Purcell,
20, 159th; Blanchard, 19.9, 168th; and Little Axe, 19.8, 178th.
Norman Superintendent Dr. Joseph Siano is pleased with the announcement
and views it as a districtwide success with a large part due to the foundation
established by elementary and middle schools as they feed into the high
schools.
"Our scores are indicative of our talented students and reflect on
the work of our teachers and administrators K through 12," Siano said.
"It's a positive statement of the success our students are having. We have
two quality high schools and staff that have high expectations of all students
and they believe in a comprehensive rigorous educational experience."
Brad Fernberg, director of secondary education and instruction of Moore
Public Schools, also said challenging students is a component that leads to
higher test scores."
Both schools are really looking hard to get their students in activities
that will help them be successful on the (ACT)," Fernberg said.
One advantage Moore students have over many of their peers is both high
schools offer ACT testing on site. "We think it makes students more comfortable
to able to take it at their own sites," he said.
Local districts are not the only noteworthy aspect of the report. Native
American and Hispanic students are making their presence know.
According to student demographic data, Hispanic test-takers increased by
more than 24 percent over last year. And Oklahoma's Native American students
have an average score of 19.3 which betters the national mark of 18.7.
The performance of the state's minorities drew praise from State
Superintendent Sandy Garrett.
“We are encouraged that more Oklahoma minority students are voluntarily
taking the ACT college-entrance exam in preparation for higher education and
the world of work," Garrett said. But Garrett also knows all of Oklahoma's
students, teachers and administrators have a lot of work ahead of themselves if
state scores are to improve.
"We have been working for more than a year with the governor and
school officials on ways to reform high schools and we are planning a High
School Summit later this year," Garrett said. "In total, the 2005 ACT
report tells us we have a lot of work ahead in better preparing minority
students and, in particular, new English language learners for college-entrance
exams. Our efforts to design high schools that successfully teach students 21st
century skills just became more urgent."