by Sharon Petrus, professional school counselor

The annual report from ACT for the 2010-2011 school year indicates that Willow Springs High School has exceeded the state and national benchmark scores in all areas: English, math, reading, and science. Through extensive research ACT has set benchmark scores for each subject-area test. According to ACT, if a student reaches a benchmark score in a subject-area test he or she has a “ . . . 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses, which include English Composition, Algebra, Social Science and Biology.”

The benchmark score for English is 18. Seventy-four percent of Willow Springs’ seniors scored 18 or higher compared to 73% state and 66% national. Ten percent more of Willow Springs’ seniors met or exceeded the math benchmark score than the state: 54%, 44% and 45% respectively. Students reaching or exceeding benchmark scores in reading were Willow Springs 57%, state 56% and national 52%. Reaching science benchmark scores were Willow Springs 37%, state 32% and national 30%. Seniors meeting or exceeding all four benchmarks were Willow Springs 29%, state 26% and national 25%.

Willow Springs High School encourages students to pursue a core curriculum of 4 English, 3 or more math beginning with Algebra I, 3 science and 3 social studies classes. The 2010 – 2011 report from ACT indicates that in 2010 – 2011 seniors who took the core or more classes had an average English score of 24, math 23.3, reading 24.1, science 22.7 and composite 23.6.

Fifty-five out of 69 seniors took the ACT test in 2010 – 2011. The above scores are based on their last test score not necessarily their highest test score.