Dist. 211's ACT scores hold steady

Three years after Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 began an effort to raise ACT test scores, students continue to outpace state and national averages, though district averages remain mostly unchanged.

The class of 2007's composite scores, newly released, equaled the class of 2006's with a 22.3 average. Composite scores had improved in each of the previous two years.

The state average was 20.5 and the national was 21.2.

Though all juniors in Illinois are now required to take the ACT, the numbers District 211 reported represent "final ACT data" for 2007 graduates.

District 211 tested 2,892 students last school year.

Overall science scores for District 211 rose marginally, from 22.0 last year to 22.1.

The highest possible score for the ACT, traditionally taken by college-bound students, is 36. The test measures proficiency in English, math, reading and science.

Though composite scores remained stable, Director of Instruction Improvement Lisa Small said the key trends were improvements across the board at Hoffman Estates High School, which had better English, math, reading and science scores, she said.

And future improvement is anticipated.

"Those are some major signs that we've seen," Small added.

The class of 2007 didn't get the full benefits of the district's score improvement strategy, which includes enrollment at summer academies for students in need, Small added.

"Those students just got the start of some of the initiative," she said.

Even with somewhat incomplete data from students who've only participated partially in the programs designed to improve scores, Small without hesitation declared the strategies a success.

"We're much higher than the state in composites," she said. "What's really neat is when you look at the national mean. Typically, they're all college-bound students, and we are higher than that."

Small said currently 300 students with limited English-proficiency are enrolled in the summer academies.

Small also praised the Read 180 program, which helps students performing below state standards improve comprehension skills. District 211 has seen success with intervention programs like Read 180 in all of its schools, Small added.

The key to improvement was realizing some classes weren't rigorous enough, Small said.

"They didn't start at a high enough level," she said.

Officials from each district school developed strategies based on particular needs based on demographics, Small said. Daily class periods in some cases are extended to accommodate curriculum aimed at ACT improvement, she added.

Dist. 211 ACT scores

2003 22.7

2004 22.8

2005 22.1

2006 22.3

2007 22.3

State average *20.5

National average *21.2

Source: Palatine Schaumburg High School District 211. Averages based on final results for students in these graduating classes.

* State and national averages are from most recent data available.