Evergreen Park Community High School was recently recognized by ACT for 2012 graduate, David Hector, who earned a top composite score of 36 on the ACT college and career readiness exam. The recognition took place at an ACT-sponsored conference in St. Charles, IL in October.
“Earning a top score of 36 on the ACT is an extremely strong academic achievement,” said Galen Johnson, ACT’s Midwest region assistant vice president. “The ACT is a curriculum-based exam that measures what students have learned in school. When a student earns a 36, it’s not only an indication of outstanding individual achievement but also a tribute to the quality of support and educational opportunities provided and facilitated by the school in which the student has learned.”
In general, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT Test earn a top composite score of 36. Of the more than 1.66 million students in the graduating class of 2012 who took the ACT Test across the nation, only 781 achieved a 36.
ACT research shows that students who take a core college preparatory curriculum in high school tend to perform better on the ACT – and are more likely to be ready for college and career when they graduate – than those who don’t. High schools can contribute to student achievement by providing access to high quality, challenging courses that focus on the rigorous academic skills needed for success in college and career.
The ACT comprises subject area tests in English, math, reading, and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. The ACT composite score is the average of the four individual test scores. Students who earn a top ACT composite score of 36 can typically choose from the widest range of future educational opportunities. Hector is currently a freshman at Northwestern University. ACT scores are accepted at all major colleges and universities across the nation.
I recently read, elsewhere, that EPCHS had 27 Illinois State Scholars this year - only 3% of their student body, when the recongition standards are designed to recognize the top 10%. A disconcerting result, to say the least.