FHS graduates continue to out-pace state ACT averages

Iowa tied for the second-highest average American College Test composite score among states testing more than half of students in the Class of 2012.

Fairfield High School is excited to share the recently released report from ACT showing FHS?s composite scores were again well above Iowa?s state average composite scores for English, math, reading and science, said principal Aaron Becker.

FHS?s composite score was 24.2 and Iowa?s average was 22.1.

From 2000 to 2012, FHS has exceeded the state average composite score every year. The 2011-12 year was the highest average composite during this 12 years, said Becker.

Last school year, 63 FHS students took the ACT exam, which represents 52.1 percent of the 2012 graduating class. This percentage is a similar average representation of the graduating classes of the past years. Taking the ACT is not required for two-years colleges and trade schools.

FHS students taking the ACT all (100 percent) indicated plans to attend a four-year college or graduate study program in the future.

FHS scores higher than state averages in college readiness

ACT also shared a report with FHS that included the percent of ACT-tested students ready for college-level coursework, which predicts a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher in college classes.

Students are considered college-ready in English if scoring 18 or above on the English portion of the test; 94 percent of FHS students tested were considered college-ready for English composition compared to Iowa?s average of 77 percent.

ACT considers students scoring 22 or high on the math portion of the test ready for college level work; 65 percent of FHS students taking the ACT were considered ready for college Algebra. The Iowa average was 51 percent in math.

Students scoring 21 or higher on the reading portion of the exam are considered prepared for college level work in social sciences; 76 percent of FHS students scored well enough to be considered ready for college social sciences compared to the state average of 62 percent of test-takers.

ACT considers students that score a 24 or higher on the science portion of the exam to be ready for college level work in biology.  FHS had 63 percent of its testing students score high enough in science to be considered ready for college biology compared to the Iowa average of 38 percent.

FHS exceeded the Iowa average of students meeting all four categories of college readiness, said Becker; 51 percent of FHS students met all four categories while the Iowa average was 30 percent.

ACT shares FHS scores by career interests

ACT also reported FHS students? scores according to indicated areas of interest in future careers. Some of the career-area FHS scores on average are as follows:

Ethnic and multidisciplinary studies ? 33.

Engineering - 27.5.

English and foreign languages -27.

Biological and physical sciences -26.5.

Computer sciences and mathematics ? 26.3.

Social sciences and law ? 26.

Communications ? 25.8.

Visual and performing arts ? 24.8.

Community, family and personal services ? 24.5

Health sciences and technologies ? 23.3.

Business ? 22.6.

Education -22.3.

Agriculture and natural resources ? 21.

Repair and construction ? 21.

Undecided ? 23.3.

?Fairfield High School staff are proud of our students? scores,? said Becker. ?We will continue trying to improve in all areas of influence with our students.?

Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass and Gov. Terry Branstad have introduced education legislation that all 11th grade students should take a college entrance exam like the ACT. This could be a priority in 2013.

The ACT action plan that has been offered will be implemented to increase the number of students that are college ready at FHS.

?We will have a continued effort to address the needs of every FHS student so they can experience post-graduate success,? said Becker. ?Each teacher and parent or guardian has played an important role in the success of the educational careers of the 2012 graduates.

?The celebration of the 2012 Fairfield High School ACT scores is a team effort.  FHS staff will continue to work toward rigorously preparing students for productive, successful lives after high school,? said Becker.