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High School Teachers Dish on Why ACT Scores Aren’t Improving

By U.S. News & World Report

Student achievement on the ACT, the popular college admissions test, hasn’t improved in years.

The national average ACT composite score for graduating high school students in 2015 was 21 out of a possible 36, according to the organizer’s annual report on college and career readiness, released last week. This average has remained roughly the same for the past 10 years.

That’s basically a D-minus, says Chris Roden, who teaches English and ACT prep at Lebanon High School in Missouri. “But that makes scholarships based on ACT a little easier for the kids that do above average.”

About 40 percent of this year’s graduating test-takers showed strong readiness for college in most subject areas, while 31 percent did not meet readiness levels in any areas, according to the test’s organizers. These percentages have remained roughly the same for the past several years. The ACT tests students in English, math, reading and science.

Jon Whitmore, ACT CEO and director, said these results should be a “wake-up call” for the nation and that the education system needs to do better, The Associated Press reported.

U.S. News reached out to high school teachers on Twitter and over the phone for an on-the-ground look at why scores aren’t improving. Their theories and thoughts are described below.

1. Some students who have no interest in going to college are taking the ACT. Some states, including Missouri, require that all high school students get the chance to take the ACT for free. That means often students who don’t plan on going to college take the test. Roden thinks these students’ performances on the test is affecting overall scores.

Test [your SAT, ACT knowledge.]

“They just aren’t interested in scoring well on a test that has no bearing on their future,” says Roden, who has been teaching for nearly 30 years.

But he thinks there is value in students taking the ACT. It lets students know where they stand in comparison to others and it can be a motivator, he says.

2. Students aren’t always learning what’s on the test. Lindsay Fluker told U.S. News on Twitter that the content on the ACT doesn’t always align with curriculum standards in each state and that’s why scores aren’t improving nationwide.

Missouri started testing students statewide with the ACT this past academic year. Roden says the curriculum is still being changed to align more with ACT objectives, whereas the curriculum used to align more with another standardized test the state used. As that happens over time, he expects scores will go up.

“A lot of teachers hesitate to teach to a test, but if the test is a good test, you’d be stupid not to teach to a test,” he says.

Find out [how ACT student interest in STEM has remained steady for 2014 graduates.]

3. Some students are just average. Lisa Britten, who teaches English and ACT prep at Lee High School in Wyoming, Michigan, thinks the national average ACT composite score of 21 is “fairly decent.” She says that students can get into a lot of colleges with that score, even though they probably won’t get any scholarships.

“I find it hard to look at that and say that that’s a failure,” she says.

Last year, Michigan tested students using the ACT. Britten thinks that when all students are tested, including special education students, the result will be average because not just the best and brightest are being tested.

She doesn’t think it is realistic to expect all students to perform at an honors level, since every student has different abilities. But that’s not to say that students can’t improve, she says.

“Every student has to reach their own potential, but not everybody has the same potential,” she says.

Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com .

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High School Teachers Dish on Why ACT Scores Aren’t Improving originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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