ACT updates: Scott Co. High continues upward progression on composite and beating college readiness benchmarks; ice cream and cake celebration...

News-Graphic, Georgetown, Aug. 23, 2012

SCHS juniors record jump in ACT scores
By Dan Adkins

Scott County High School juniors who took the ACT college-entrance exam in 2011-12 scored an average composite score of 20.2, the highest scores recorded over the last five years for the district.

“We’ve hit our goal and we’re happy about that,” high school Principal Frank Howatt said Wednesday, shortly after the Kentucky Department of Education released figures showing a statewide improvement in ACT scores.

The ACT results in Scott County were  higher than the statewide average of 19.0.

“The ACT is an important test, showing a great indicator of our kids’ mastery of the common core (curriculum),” Howatt said.

In a news release, Scott County Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Putty said, “I am extremely proud of our students and their continued improvement on the ACT...  It is reassuring to know that, as a district, we are making great strides to ensure all students attain this benchmark.”

The ACT evaluates student performance in English, mathematics, reading and science.

The test is used by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education to assess students’ college and career readiness. The CPE’s benchmarks are 20 for reading, 18 for English and 19 for math.

Scott County’s 2011-12 juniors exceeded each of the CPE benchmarks, scoring 20.2 for reading, 20.3 for English and 19.5 for math.

Scott County High School also showed a steady advancement in its juniors’ scores. In 2009-10, the composite average was 19.5; that rose to 19.9 the following year.

Chip Southworth, Scott County Public School’s director of secondary education, credited the high school’s strategy of administrators and teachers working with individual students to set goals.

“They’ve done well. I’m proud of the kids and their teachers,” Southworth said.

He singled out Howatt and assistant principals Joe Covington, Dwayne Ellison, Michelle Nichols, Joretta Crowe and Annette Williams. (Ellison is now principal at the Ninth Grade School, while Nichols is principal at Elkhorn Crossing School.)

Administrators and teachers at the high school celebrated the achievement with ice-cream cake in the cafeteria after the school day ended.

Howatt said the celebration would be brief, because it was time to look toward next year’s goal.

Howatt said there’s no guarantee that ACT results will continue to climb. “From year to year, there can be some volatility in scores,” he said.

That concern won’t stop the teachers, administrators and staff from aiming higher.

“I’ve communicated to teachers that shooting for 20.5 (in 2012-13) is a really good goal,” Howatt said.
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