ACT scores keep getting better in District 214

For the sixth consecutive year, ACT scores have risen slightly in Northwest Suburban High School District 214.

The latest numbers put the average composite score at 23.1 for the district's class of 2008, up 0.2 points from the prior year. The figure includes scores from all ACTs taken by about 3,000 students.

Last year's average was in the district was 22.9.

"The districtwide improvement trend is extremely consistent, and its overall magnitude is substantial," said Steve Cordogan, District 214's director of research and evaluation. "These increases are a powerful indicator of systematic school and curricular improvement."

This year's state average ACT composite score is 20.7 and the national composite score is 21.1.

Illinois is one of only two states requiring all juniors to take the ACT during a standardized test sequence. That rule kicked in starting with the Class of 2002.

District 214's ACT scores have improved consistently since then, which is am important trend, Cordogan said.

"We're a large school district so we don't see drastic dips and peaks that smaller school districts see," he said. "But to watch these numbers go up six years in a row, that's really school improvement."

All of District 214's schools improved by at least five-tenths of a point on their composite score since the Class of 2002. Prospect and Hersey have made the largest gains - 2.2 and 1.9 points respectively - led by their English scores.

Hersey's English score remained the most improved subject area, growing from 21.9 to 25.1.

Between 40 and 50 percent of the students retake the ACT in hopes of getting a better score, Cordogan said.