Sixth consecutive year of declines with average down in every academic subject
Bob Unruh
WND News Center
Many of America’s teachers’ unions and school districts have gone to the far-left politically, advocating for social and ideological programming for America’s students.
And it shows.
A report from ACT, which administers the well-known college entrance exams for high-school students, says scores have fallen for the sixth year in a row.
This time the plunge was by one-third of a point on the 36-point scale.
The report noted 70% of seniors fall short of college readiness benchmarks in math, and about 40% meet “none” of the college readiness benchmarks.
ACT reported the average composite score fell to 19.5 points for the class of 2023, down 0.3 points from 2022.
The average scores in mathematics, reading, and science subjects were all below the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks for those subjects, the report said.
The benchmark scores are set at a level that if students reach them, they have a “high probability of success in credit-bearing first-year college courses.”
“ACT research continues to show that students meeting a benchmark on the test have approximately a 50% chance of earning a B or better and approximately a 75% chance of earning a C or better in the corresponding college course or courses,” the organization reported.
ACT chief Janet Godwin noted the sixth straight year of declines, and warned an increasing number of high school seniors are unable to meet any of the goals.
“The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career. These systemic problems require sustained action and support at the policy level. This is not up to teachers and principals alone – it is a shared national priority and imperative,” she said.
The report also noted members of the class of 2023 were in their first year of high school when COVID-19 struck.
Only 21% of the class met all the benchmarks, while 43% met none.
The report said English scores declined 0.4 points, mathematics scores 0.3 points, reading scores 0.3 points and science declined by 0.3 points.
A wide range of assessments in recent months, additionally, have noted that fewer and fewer employers are calling for their new hires to have college degrees.
Also read:
- Vancouver Police release critical incident video from Dec. 28 officer-involved shooting
Vancouver Police Department released a Critical Incident Video related to a December 28 officer-involved shooting while the Office of Independent Investigations continues its review. - Opinion: Transit agencies need accountability not increased state subsidy
Charles Prestrud argues that Washington transit agencies face rising costs and declining ridership due to governance structures that lack public accountability. - Letter: ‘For years, American foreign policy too often felt like a blank check’
Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi argues that the 2025 National Security Strategy marks a long-overdue shift toward clearer priorities, shared responsibility, and interest-based American leadership. - POLL: Are you better off than you were a year ago?
This week’s poll asks readers to reflect on their personal financial situation and whether they feel better off than they were a year ago as economic conditions continue to shift. - Opinion: Does tailgating cause speeding?
Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl examines whether tailgating contributes to speeding and explains why following too closely increases crash risk with little benefit. - Opinion: ‘The Democrats’ part of the bargain’
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on a New Year’s Eve encounter and a Bill Maher commentary to assess what he sees as cultural and political changes from the past year. - Free fares on New Year’s Eve is a big hit with C-TRAN riders
C-TRAN’s New Year’s Eve free-fare program provided extended late-night service and a safe transportation option for riders across Clark County just after midnight.
wpDiscuz
