News Release
Contact: Thomas Algarin, Director, Communication & Information
talgarin@marietta-city.k12.ga.us
770-422-3500 ext. 282
Release August 18, 2010
Marietta City ACT Score Outpaces State and
National Average, Bests State in 3 of 4 Benchmarks
Twenty-two percent of MHS seniors demonstrate college-readiness
Marietta, GA - Marietta City Schools (MCS) composite ACT score (21.2) outpaced the state (20.7) and national (21.0) averages. The national average composite score was 21.0, down from 21.1 in 2009. In 2010, Marietta High School (MHS) students outpaced the state with higher average scores in English (20.9), Mathematics (21.8), and Science (20.7), and were on par with the state in Reading (20.9).
The 2010 ACT results reflect the performance of 155 MHS seniors. The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement test designed to measure college readiness and preparation. The ACT includes four separate exams in English, Reading, Mathematics and Science. There is also an optional writing portion. Scoring on the exam is based on a scale of zero to 36.
“Marietta High School students performed well on all four subject areas tested, outpacing the state in three out of four, on par in one, and above the national composite average,” said Dr. Emily Lembeck, MCS Superintendent. “Overall, 22 percent of MHS seniors demonstrated college-readiness in all four ACT Benchmarks, up from 21 percent last year.”
The ACT college readiness benchmark scores are used to determine whether students are likely to be successful in core college courses such as English Composition, Algebra, Social Science and Biology. Students scoring 18+ on the English test, 22+ on the Algebra test, 21+ on the Social Science test, and 24+ on the Biology test have a fifty percent chance of obtaining a B or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses.
When compared to the state and national percentages, Marietta’s ACT college readiness benchmark scores were higher in all areas. Approximately 65 percent of MHS seniors scored 18+ on the English test, 48 percent scored 22+ on the Algebra test, 50 percent scored 21+ on the Social Science test, and 27 percent scored 24+ on the Biology test. Overall, 22 percent of MHS seniors demonstrated college-readiness in all four ACT Benchmark scores.
