Alabama students are scoring better on the ACT according to a report released Feb. 18 by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.
The class of 2024’s ACT composite score for Alabama’s public schools rose to 17.85, up from 17.72 for the class of 2023. However, scores remain lower than before the pandemic, when the class of 2021 averaged 18.58. Nationally, ACT scores continue to decline, dropping from 19.5 in 2023 to 19.4 in 2024 — more than a full point below the class of 2021’s score of 20.3.
Unlike many states where only college-bound students take the ACT, Alabama is one of nine states where all students, regardless of post-graduation plans, take the test. Because of this, PARCA cautions against direct comparisons between Alabama and states where participation is optional.
In-depth look
PARCA’s report provides an in-depth look at school-level ACT scores, which are not released by the Alabama Department of Education. The analysis highlights a strong correlation between economic advantages and higher scores.
High schools in affluent areas, such as Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills, as well as academically selective magnet schools in Montgomery and Huntsville, tend to score higher than others. In contrast, schools with higher levels of poverty, measured by the percentage of students eligible for free meals, generally see lower ACT performance.
However, some schools outperform expectations based on student poverty level. For example, Piedmont High School in Piedmont City schools, where more than half of students qualify for free meals, posted an average composite score of 20 — higher than some schools with lower poverty rates.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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