Mixed ACT report for Tri-Cities area schools

Two high schools in the Tri-Cities received mixed reports on ACT scores this week.

The composite ACT score for Kaneland High School rose more than one-half point to 21.3 in 2007 from 20.7 in 2006. Kaneland students continued to do better than the state average, which was 20.5 for both 2007 and 2006.

West Aurora High School students, however, scored a composite of 19.4, down by nearly a point from 20.1 in 2006. West Aurora composite scores had risen steadily since 2003 until this year.

Scores were down in each subject matter at West Aurora. The 2007 English score was 18.8, down by nearly a point from 19.7 in 2006; mathematics was down to 20.1 from 20.4; reading was down to 19.2 from 19.8 and the science score was down to 19.2 from 20.0 in 2006.

The St. Charles school district reported Thursday that district officials needed to review scores from both high schools before releasing any information.

Officials from both Batavia and Geneva school districts also declined to release scores as of Thursday, saying they needed more time for evaluation.

Schools in the northern Fox Valley also reported mixed results.

Students in Elgin Area District U-46 and Burlington-based Central District 301 posted lower marks in 2007 than they did the year before.

Scores in U-46 dropped for a second straight year but only slightly, from 19.4 to 19.2.

Central's 2007 composite score was 21.3, down from 21.5 in 2006.

The ACT -- scored on a 0-36 scale -- is taken by all high school juniors in Illinois. High schools use results for academic advising and also to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. Colleges use ACT scores for admission decisions.