Tennessee students notched a modest gain in ACT scores in 2024, according to data released Tuesday.
The graduating class of 2024 averaged a composite ACT score of 19.3, up from 19 the year before, according to a news release from the Tennessee Department of Education. Statewide ACT scores have fluctuated slightly in recent years. In 2018, the state average was 20.2 before slowly dropping to a low of 19 in 2023. More information can be found on the state report card at ReportCard.TNedu.gov.
The state also saw a 99% ACT participation rate from the graduating class in 2024.
The ACT, which stands for American College Testing, is a standardized test widely recognized in the college admissions process and seen as a key measure in understanding college and career readiness for students. Tennessee offers public high school students the opportunity to take the ACT twice, free of charge.
“Tennessee strives to support every student in their college and career aspirations, including preparing them for the ACT assessment that can open up additional postsecondary scholarships and opportunities,” Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds said in the release. “We commend districts and schools for their collective effort in improving the average composite score across the state.”
Here are a few other key numbers the department highlighted in its news release:
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78 districts had a 99% or higher participation rate in 2024, up from 75 in 2023
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Black, Hispanic and Native American students averaged a 16.8 composite score, up from 16.6 in 2023
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Students who are economically disadvantaged averaged a 16.6 composite score, up from 16.3 in 2023
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Students with disabilities averaged a 14.9 composite score, up from 14.7 in 2023
Additionally, the department shared data on students who scored at least 21 on the ACT, which puts them at the national average and qualifies them to apply for a wide range of colleges and universities.
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Of the 2024 graduating class, 37.7% scored a 21 or above
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19.5% of Black, Hispanic and Native American students scored at 21 or higher, up from 17.3% in 2023
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17.7% of students who are economically disadvantaged scored at 21 or higher, up from 15.8% in 2023
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8.6% of students with disabilities scored at 21 or higher, up from 6.7% in 2023
The full dataset for this year’s ACT scores, along with prior years, can be found at TN.gov/education/districts/federal-programs-and-oversight/data/data-downloads.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee ACT scores: Class of 2024 marks slight increase