Executive Summary

Agenda Item:

College Readiness Report

Purpose:

provide a high level overview of college-readiness of Montana high school students

Summary Points

Class of 2008 Test-Takers 7100

8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

6286 3800 2648

ACT ACT Writing SAT MUSWA

Over 60% of Montana high school graduates took entrance exam.

Summary Points

ACT Average Scores

23 22.5

22 21.5

21 20.5

20 19.5

M ACT: state ACT: natl

Math Science Reading English Writing

500 490 480 470 460 450 560 550 540 530 520 510

Math SAT Average Scores

SAT: state SAT: natl

Reading Writing Montana’s class of 2008 scored above National Averages.

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

49% 64%

Summary Points

College Readiness by Test

% Meeting Admission or Proficiency Standard ACT SAT MUSWA

78% 81% 62% 71% 68% Math Proficiency Writing Proficiency Combined Writing Proficiency Essay Depending on the measure used, between 49% to 81% of the students tested College Ready.

Summary Points

20 15 10 5 0 25

ACT Average Scores: Core vs. Less than Core

Core Noncore

English Math Reading Science

580 560 540 520 500 480 460 440

SAT Average Scores: Core vs. Less than Core

Core Noncore

Writing Math Reading Taking a Rigorous Core in high school improves scores.

Follow-up Questions

Sample questions Regents may wish to pursue

• Montana’s averages look pretty good, why then do approximately 1/3 of entering freshmen require some form of remediation?

• Why do so many high school students take the MUSWA when ACT and SAT now offer writing assessments? • How does Montana’s college continuation rate compare to the percent of student taking admission exams?

• How do other states leverage entrance exams to increase college participation rates and preparation?