More Arizona students show college readiness
Arizona Republic
Aug 13, 2008

Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ) - August 13, 2008

Author: Anne Ryman, The Arizona Republic

Arizona's students improved on the ACT college-entrance exam in three of four subjects, an indication that students who take the test continue to improve their college readiness.

The percentages who met college-readiness benchmarks this year increased slightly in English, reading and science while the percentages in math remained the same.

Even though more Arizona students are doing better in three of four subjects, the percentage of students who met benchmarks in all four subjects did not increase over last year. It remains at 25 percent, unchanged over last year, but better than the national average of 22 percent.

Arizona schools chief Tom Horne said he is pleased with the latest round of scores.

"We always want to do better," he said. "We always try to do better."

Research has shown students who meet college-readiness benchmarks are more likely to get better grades, stay in school and earn college degrees.

ACT scores are only one measure of how much college-bound students are learning. About 11,600 students, or 15 percent, of Arizona's Class of 2008 took the test. More than twice that number take the SAT, which will release its scores later this month. The SAT also is a college-readiness and entrance exam, although unlike the ACT, the SAT has a mandatory writing section.

Some guidance counselors recommend that students take both tests. The ACT is regarded by some as more flexible because it has no writing requirement.

This year's ACT scores also revealed concern at the state and national level when it comes to math. For instance, in Arizona only 20 percent of students who took the ACT's minimum high-school course recommendations for math -- Algebra I, Algebra II and geometry -- met the benchmarks for college readiness.

The report suggested that getting more students ready for algebra before the freshman year will help students prepare for advanced courses. Nationally, only 14 percent who took core math courses met college readiness, said Cynthia Schmeiser, president of the ACT's education division.

"We're seeing a lot of evidence that the core courses they are taking are not rigorous enough," she said.

Horne agrees with the recommendation for better preparing students for algebra before the freshman year. Ideally, students should take algebra in the eighth grade, he said.

The state is increasing its math requirements. Freshmen who start this fall need three years of math, up from two, to graduate. Freshmen of 2009 will need four years. Students will not be required to take Algebra II or calculus for their additional math credits. Schools can approve alternative courses, such as accounting, statistics or a technical-career course, if it includes math.

Both the SAT and the ACT could take on an increasing emphasis in the future. Some Arizona lawmakers have proposed replacing the controversial AIMS high-school exit exam with the ACT or SAT, something Horne is opposed to.

"I think it would be utter madness to try and replace (AIMS) with something else after we've worked on it for 12 years," he said.

ACT test scores

The percentage of students meeting all four college readiness benchmarks in Arizona continues to be higher than the national average.

'04

Arizona: 23

National: 21

'05

Arizona: 23

National: 21

'06

Arizona: 24

National: 21

'07

Arizona: 25

National: 23

'08

Arizona: 25

National: 22

ACT test scores

Arizona students improved their scores on the ACT college-entrance exam in three of four categories, continuing an upward trend over the past five years.

English

'04

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 72

'05

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 71

'06

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 72

'07

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 73

'08

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 74

National average: 68

Math

'04

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 49

'05

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 48

'06

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 51

'07

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 52

'08

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 52

National average: 43

Reading

'04

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 57

'05

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 56

'06

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 57

'07

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 58

'08

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 60

National average: 53

Science

'04

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 27

'05

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 28

'06

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 29

'07

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 29

'08

Percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks: 30

National average: 28

ACT

Reach the reporter at anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8072.