Montgomery, Ala. - This year’s increased number of test-takers and ACT scores offer evidence that becoming college and career ready is a central goal for students and educators in Alabama. ACT information released today shows more Alabama high school students than before are taking the ACT as they plan for life after high school. An ever-increasing number of students – 35,809 (compared to 35,590 last year) – took the test designed to assess academic achievement and college readiness in the subject areas of English, math, reading, and science.
For the past six years, Alabama’s overall ACT averages have hovered within less than a point difference of the national average. State composite ACT scores were 20.3 this year. The nation maintained a score of 21.1. As indicated in the chart below, several minority groups in Alabama are outscoring their counterparts on the national scene. Caucasian scores in Alabama are slightly below the national average of 22.2, with an average of 21.6.
Group Tested-2009 State National
Caucasian 21.6 22.2
African-American 17.2 16.9
American Indian/Alaskan Native 20.2 18.9
Hispanic 20.6 18.7
Asian American/Pacific Islander 23.7 23.2
Other/ No Response 20.7 20.9
Composite Score 20.3 21.1
“More and more students are taking the ACT, increasing their aptitude for success in college and in the career of their choice,” said State Superintendent Joe Morton. “We are proud of the gains for all students, especially those of minority students. Again this year, they surpassed scores for the same groups taking the ACT nationally.”
Collecting information and maintaining continuous data over the years are very important to the process of tracking students as they move through Alabama’s public school system. Alabama is one of only five states in the nation that has all ten of ten essential data elements that ACT deems necessary to ensure that students are prepared for college and careers in the 21st century.
This year Alabama again surpasses the nation on the ACT English/Writing combined test results – Alabama’s state average of all student test-takers on English/Writing combined is 21.6; the national average is 20.8. Average scores for every ethnic group outpace national averages also.
Caucasian students make up 65 percent of the test-takers, followed by 28 percent for African-American test-takers, a two point increase from 2008. Alabama has seen consistent gains in the number of ACT test-takers each year for the past decade. This year’s ACT data reflects more minority students continue to take the exam and increase their scores. Participation for African-American students increased to 9,858 from last year’s 9,349.
The ACT is a college entrance exam comprised of four curriculum-based achievement tests designed to assess skills in English, mathematics, reading, and science. The score range is 1 to 36 with 36 being the highest score. The tests reflect students’ skills and achievement levels as products of their high school experience and serve as critical measures of their preparation for academic coursework beyond high school.
Of the ACT takers in Alabama, over 86 percent report that their educational aspiration is a bachelor’s degree or higher, up three points from 2008. The most popular field for intended majors is Health Sciences and Allied Health Fields with 8,897 students anticipating careers in the field after high school.
The top ten planned college majors chosen by Alabama ACT takers are:
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Health Sciences and Allied Health Fields
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Business and Management
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Engineering
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Social Sciences
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Visual and Performing Arts
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Education
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Sciences (Biological and Physical)
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Teacher Education
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Engineering-Related Technologies
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Computer and Information Sciences
The top five colleges chosen by Alabama ACT takers to attend are:
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The University of Alabama
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Auburn University
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The University of Alabama in Birmingham
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Troy University-Troy
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University of South Alabama
The ACT, which is required or preferred by more colleges and universities than any other college entrance exam, is given in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For additional ACT information, visit www.act.org or call ACT Media Relations at 319-337-1028.
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