The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2016 - National

1 The Condition of College &. Career Readiness 2016. National National The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2016. This report looks at the progress of the 2016 ACT -tested As a research-based nonprofit organization, ACT is graduating class relative to College and Career Readiness . committed to providing more meaningful data for individuals This year's report shows that 64% of students in the 2016 and institutions to make better decisions. The focus is on US graduating class took the ACT test, up from 59% in 2015 providing better and more relevant data to students, parents, and 49% in 2011.

2 The increased number of test takers over schools, districts, and states so that all can make more the past several years enhances the breadth and depth of informed decisions to improve outcomes. We accomplish this the data pool, providing a comprehensive picture of the goal by taking a holistic view and using consistent and current graduating class in the context of College Readiness , reliable historical information so that individuals and as well as offering a glimpse at the emerging educational institutions have a better context to make critical decisions pipeline.

3 About the journey they have undertaken. Key Findings Performance The number of ACT-tested graduates increased by stories. Nationally, the 2016 ACT data have identified compared to last year, rising from 1,924,436 graduates in 4,781 more Hispanic students who are ready for success 2015 to 2,090,342 graduates in 2016. Nearly two-thirds in College -level coursework by meeting three or four ACT. (64%) of all 2016 US high school graduates took the College Readiness Benchmarks than in 2015. Some ACT, up from 59% last year and from 40% in 2006.

4 As a states have seen substantial gains in this number as well, result, this year's data are based on a more representative such as Florida (573 more students). sample of the nation's graduating class than ever before. Overall achievement levels both the average ACT STEM. Composite score and the percentages of students Since 2012, students meeting the new ACT College meeting the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks Readiness Benchmark in STEM, which is a combined dropped this year compared to last year, likely due to the measure of math and science Readiness , have earned significant increase in the percentage of students tested.

5 Consistently higher average ACT science scores. In The addition of seven more states that required all contrast, ACT mathematics scores for those students students to take the ACT in the 2016 data set means have remained flat during that time. This raises the students from a broader range of academic preparation question of whether STEM initiatives undertaken by many were tested, including many students who may not have states are placing more emphasis on the science side of been preparing to attend This decline in scores high school curricula and less emphasis on the nationally does not necessarily represent an actual mathematics side.

6 Change in National performance or achievement, but rather reflects the changes in the makeup of the testing Career Readiness population. This year, for the first time, ACT has provided an indicator While the average ACT Composite score declined of Career Readiness based on ACT Composite scores. significantly in the seven states that began statewide Table in the ACT Profile Report details how ACT- testing of 11th graders last year (as expected), it tested graduates are progressing toward the ACT. increased in 22 other states this year compared to 2015.

7 National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT NCRC ). Another eight states saw no change in average Progress toward Career Readiness is based on research Composite score. linking ACT Composite scores to ACT NCRC levels. The The number of underserved students taking the ACT test ACT Composite cut score for each ACT NCRC level has increased significantly since 2012, most dramatically corresponds to a 50% chance of obtaining that level. If a among Hispanic students (up by 44%) and African student's ACT Composite score surpassed the cut score American students (up by 23%).

8 Despite these increases, for an ACT NCRC level, they are categorized as making the average ACT Composite score for African American progress towards the next higher ACT NCRC level. students remained steady, and the average score for Attainment of ACT NCRC levels indicates workplace Hispanic students dropped by just points. Given that employability skills that are critical to job success. expansion of the testing pool often leads to substantial 68% of ACT-tested graduates are considered making drops in scores, these trends represent distinct success progress towards at least a Gold ACT NCRC level.

9 2016 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved. The ACT College Readiness assessment and ACT WorkKeys are registered trademarks of ACT, Inc., in the USA and other countries. The ACT National Curriculum Survey , ACT Engage , ACT Explore , ACT Plan , ACT Aspire , and ACT QualityCore are registered trademarks of ACT, Inc. The ACT National Career Readiness Certificate and PreACT are trademarks of ACT, Inc. 6325. Impact Nationally, of students opted to participate in the Between 2013 and 2016, average ACT Composite scores Educational Opportunity Service (EOS), thus allowing for students with a family income of $80,000 or higher them to receive information about opportunities and tended to increase, while average scores for students in programs available from colleges across the country.

10 Families earning below that income level an ever- A total of 391,644 2016 graduates with family incomes increasing number of students dropped. This finding below $36,000 opted into EOS. Low-income seniors who suggests there is work to be done to reverse declining elected to participate in EOS benefited from ACT's Get Readiness levels for students from low-income families. Your Name in the Game program, which allows colleges Even though the proportion of graduates meeting three or to receive the names of those students during their senior four ACT College Readiness Benchmarks dropped nearly year at no cost.