St. Joseph School District students scored slightly lower on the ACT exams in 2018 as those who took the test last year.

According to a press release from the district, more than 720 students in the SJSD took the exam, earning an average composite score of 18.9. That number is down from last year’s 19.6.

The ACT measures the skills needed for success in first-year college coursework by evaluating students in the areas of English, mathematics, reading and science.

“While it is disappointing that our group ACT average is statistically flat over the last three years, we drill down further and can tell you that our college-bound students have an ACT average of 22.0 and our predicted college and career readiness score (CCR) on our state performance rating is the highest it has ever been,” said Dr. Kendra Lau, SJSD director of school improvement.

From 2015 to 2017, all juniors were required to take the ACT, not just those who were college bound. The 2017 census testing is reflected in the 2018 ACT data (Table 1). For students who are pursuing career certificates or vocational pathways, the district considers student performance on the ASVAB and Work Keys assessments, measuring readiness for the armed services and the work force, in addition to the ACT college-readiness measure.

Statewide, more than 68,000 students took the college-readiness exam in 2018, with a composite score of 20.0 which is down from last year’s 20.4.