By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-855869.mp3
Dallas, TX –
For the 4th year in a row, Texas-wide ACT scores have risen. But they still don't meet national ACT averages. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.
ACT and SAT tests are the 2 national exams required of high school students applying to most colleges and universities. The 2009 ACT national average for all students was 21.1, fractions better than the Texas average of 20.8.
Still, the Texas Education Agency says average scores statewide have risen every year for the past 5. And the TEA's DeEtta Culbertson says that's even though more Texas students than ever are taking the ACTs.
Culbertson: Usually when you have numbers going up the score draws down. The national score didn't increase this year. It's unchanged whereas Texas did increase.
Texas Blacks, Whites, Asians and Native American students outscored the same groups nationally. Texas Hispanics scored below the national Hispanic average for ACTs.
The TEA expects scores to rise as Texas academic standards get tougher. Math and Science need the biggest effort, where Texas students on average are less prepared than national high schoolers.