During a recent school board meeting, Superintendent Law and Director of Assessment Dr. Matt Riga presented a comprehensive report on student performance in standardized assessments, including ACT, AP, and IB results, highlighting significant achievements and areas for improvement.

Dr. Riga noted a positive trend in ACT participation and scores, with 685 students taking the test this year compared to 587 in 2020. The average ACT score remained strong at 25.9, although there was a slight decline in science scores. The report also indicated that the number of students achieving perfect ACT scores has increased, with seven perfect scores last year and eleven in the current class.

In the realm of Advanced Placement (AP) exams, participation surged to over 1,900 tests taken, marking an all-time high. The percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher rose from 85.7% to 88.3%, with notable increases in AP Scholar designations. The report emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of AP and IB participation, which has been a focus of school leadership.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program also reported impressive results, with a 95% pass rate for the diploma program, significantly higher than the international average of 80%. However, Dr. Riga pointed out declines in average scores for certain IB science subjects, indicating a need for targeted improvement.

The board discussed the fluctuating number of students taking the SAT, which dropped to 91 this year, and the implications of changing college admissions policies regarding standardized testing. There remains inconsistency among universities about the necessity of ACT and SAT scores, prompting ongoing discussions about student preparedness and college readiness.

Board members expressed their satisfaction with the overall upward trends in student performance while acknowledging the need to address specific areas of concern, particularly in science and math. Superintendent Law indicated that further analysis would be conducted to assess the impact of recent policy changes on student enrollment in these assessments.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring student performance and implementing strategies to enhance educational outcomes across all assessment areas.