OLYMPIA, Wash.-Washington students continue to perform among the best in the country on the ACT high school assessment test according to new data from the College Board.
Washington is in the top 15 states in the country for ACT scores and is one of only five states nationwide to see an increase in scores since 2021 and the COVID pandemic.
“From the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to ACT scores, we consistently see Washington’s students outperforming the nation when similar groups of students are assessed,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal.
The ACT is usually taken in 11th or 12th grade and measures whether a student “fully prepared” for college and university level learning by assessing their mastery of concepts in English language arts, math, reading, and science according to the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction.
ACT participation rates vary by state, with the testing a requirement in some, but not others. In Washington the ACT is not required for graduation or for admission to a public college or university according to OSPI, however, about 6% of the graduating class of 2023 took the test statewide.
According to data from OSPI and the College Board, 78% of Washington’s test-takers met the college preparedness benchmark in English language arts, 71% met the benchmark in math, 61% in reading, and 61% in science.
Of all Washington test-takers, half met the college preparedness benchmark in all four areas assessed.
