SIKESTON -- Local high school counselors and administrators said they hoped for higher ACT scores from their graduating classes of 2006, but none of the schools averaged higher than the state and national composite scores.
This year the national ACT average jumped to 21.1 from 20.9 in 2005 while the state average stayed the same at 21.6.
The class of 2006 Sikeston graduates' average ACT composite score was 20.1 -- down from last year's average of 21 and 2004's average of 22.
"It is always our desire to compete with or do better than the state and national average, and it's disappointing when our scores are below our expectations," Sikeston R-6 assistant superintendent of curriculum Dr. Marisa Bowen said. "When that happens, we must evaluate the causes and reassess what we are doing to prepare our students for college."
Courses made available by the district, courses actually taken by the students, as well as the rigor of the courses taught, all impact college readiness and are evaluated on an on-going basis, Bowen said.
Sikeston R-6 students are required to take four years of math, four years of science, four years of English and four years of social studies. In addition, students pursuing a college education are encouraged to take college preparatory classes, Bowen said.
"The weighted GPA implemented with the class of 2009 will recognize students that take the higher level courses and we hope this will impact higher ACT scores," Bowen said.
Also, the high school principals and counselors have decided to increase the ACT preparation opportunities. Recruitment for these classes has already begun.
"It is important that the district continue to examine our ACT results and determine how we can do a better job, making any necessary adjustments to assist our students in increasing their preparedness for college."
The composite score at Scott County Central High School was also down a bit at 18.2 compared to 18.6 in 2005.
"We always have 50 to 75 percent of students who take the ACT," Scott County Central High School counselor Jerry Brehmer said.
Scott Central offers a program in the computer lab which students can access and practice taking the test online. The school's college prep English class also does a lot of ACT review, he said. In addition students are informed of college prep ACT courses offered by Southeast Missouri State University.
New Madrid County R-1 curriculum director Dr. Cindy Amick said the composite score of the 52 NMCC students who took the ACT was 18.1 compared to 18.3 in 2005. The five-year trend has been in the 18-range, she noted.
"On our course sequence, it's showing we're really close to the state recommendations in algebra and geometry. It's still showing our math scores are doing well," Amick said.
New Madrid County Central High students scored 17.9 on English, 17.1 on math, 18.0 on reading and 18.6 on science.
"ACT research has shown its the rigor of course work rather than the number of core courses that has greatest impact on ACT performance and college readiness," Amick said.
Students who take a minimum of Algebra I and II and geometry typically achieve higher ACT math scores than students who take less than three years of math, Amick said. In addition students who take more advanced math courses subsequently increase their math scores, she added.
New Madrid County R-1 creates a common focus, establishes high expectations for all, provides rigorous curriculum and student counseling, she said. "We measure and evaluate progress, and we make timely interventions with students who are not making adequate progress," Amick said.
East Prairie High School's composite score dropped two-tenths from the previous year to 18.8, high school counselor Laura White said.
White said she was surprised by the composite score.
"We are not very pleased with it," White said. "My principal and myself have looked at this, and those who have taken our recommended college prep curriculum scored much more above the state average; however, we do have some students that do not follow that recommended course work, and those are the ones who fell below that."
Currently East Prairie offers its students a college-prep curriculum and a week-long ACT prep prior to the April test administration, White said.
Usually students scores are raised three to four points after taking ACT prep courses, White said. The school is looking at the option of offering ACT prep more than the week before the test, White said.
"We're going to strive to do better," White said.
Charleston High School's composite score was 19.2 -- up from 18.9 in 2005 but down from 20.1 in 2004. Scores from Kelly High School in Benton were not available at press time. However, in 2005, Kelly's composite score was 18.7 and in 2004, it was 19.0.