Dist. 95 ACT scores continue to rise

Lake Zurich District 95 students' average ACT score hit an all-time high of 23.9 this year, marking the third consecutive time numbers have risen in the district.

"I'm extremely proud of our staff and our students and I think we can continue to improve," Superintendent Mike Egan said.

The district's scores rose from 23.7 in 2008 and 22.8 in 2007.

Egan, who started as superintendent last month, formerly served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Board of Education President Kathy Brown attributes gains the district has seen in the last few years largely to Egan's work in that post.

"The board watched for three years while Dr. Egan implemented changes to the curriculum," Brown said. "Obviously the changes were successful."

She said adding new courses, adjusting rotations of courses and changing the timing of some courses improved ACT preparation for students.

Egan said organizing the curriculum with the exam's standards in mind has been key to the students' success.

"We want to make sure our curriculum alignment is such that we are teaching the skills that the state requires," Egan said.

Consistently improving test scores is part of the reason Egan now holds the top post in the district, Brown said. The board of education appointed him to replace Brian Knutson after he announced plans to retire.

The ACT tests students' abilities in reading, English, mathematics and science. It is taken during the junior year of high school and is an important factor in the college admissions process.

"We intend to keep doing what we're doing and get better at what we're doing," Egan said.