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Nevada's ACT Scores Show Importance of College Prep Courses

LAS VEGAS -- High school students have a greater chance of succeeding in college if they take more college preparatory classes while in high school, according to a report released yesterday by the ACT.

The report for Nevada's high school graduating class of 2000 showed that the average ACT composite score was 22.1 for students who completed a core curriculum. The national average was 20.0

Nevada students who took less than a core curriculum had an average composite score of 20.0, compared to the national average of 19.2.

These scores for Nevada's high school graduating class of 2002 indicate that there is a strong correlation between the academic preparation a student receives in high school and their success in college. Research from the ACT revealed that students who prepare academically by taking a core curriculum program consistently score higher on the ACT Assessment than those who do not. These same students also earn better grades in college. ACT defines the core minimum as four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of natural sciences.

"These results emphasize that the academic preparation a student receives in high school has a direct impact on their success in college," said Dr. Jane Nichols, chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada. "It is crucial that higher education continue to work with our K-12 partners to ensure a seamless education experience for the citizens of Nevada."

In order to strengthen this partnership, Nevada's Board of Regents last week approved the UCCSN's membership in the P-16 Council. The council, which will include P-12, higher education, and business and community representatives, will examine education issues including: increasing the college-going rate of Nevada's students; preparing students for entry into higher education; improving teaching preparation and professional development programs; and increasing communication to students of the academic expectations of the education and business communities.

Nevada's average composite of 21.3 remained unchanged for the past year, but was greater than the national average composite score of 20.8, down slightly from 21.0 the previous year.

Overall, Nevada students performed higher than the national average in all four areas:

The ACT Assessment comprises four curriculum-based achievement tests designed to assess critical reasoning and higher-order thinking skills in English, mathematics, reading and science. ACT Assessment results are used by postsecondary institutions across the nation for admissions, academic advising, course placement and scholarship decisions.

The Nevada Board of Regents is the elected, 11-member governing body for University and Community College System of Nevada. Comprising two doctoral granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one internationally acclaimed research institute, the UCCSN serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to more than 100,000 students.

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