Minnesota Students Again Outperform Nation on ACT
State ranks first among states where 90 percent or more students take the college entrance exam
ROSEVILLE, MN - Minnesota students again posted the highest average score on the ACT college entrance exam, among the 17 states where 90 percent or more of students took the exam, earning an average composite score of 21.4. This score is up 0.1 points from 2018. Nationally, 52 percent of 2019 high school graduates took the ACT, earning an average composite score of 20.7. Scores for Minnesota’s student groups are very close to scores from 2018, meaning gaps between student groups remain the same.
“While Minnesota’s overall score is strong again, we still have work to do so that students of all backgrounds are ready for what’s next, whether that’s career or college,” said Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker. “We can be proud but we cannot be satisfied. We will continue to learn from areas where we see promising results and expand opportunities for all students.”
Thirty percent of Minnesota students met all four ACT college-readiness benchmarks, 3 percent higher than the national average, meaning they are likely prepared for the rigor of college-level coursework. Also in 2019, 46 percent of Minnesota students were likely to attain the Gold or Platinum ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate, compared to 41 percent nationally. In order to reach a Gold or Platinum ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate, students must earn a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT.
“We are committed to supporting every Minnesota student as part of our focus to end high school dropouts in Minnesota,” said Ricker. “We must continue to increase the number of students who graduate high school prepared to succeed.”
ACT releases the Condition of College & Career Readiness report annually, and includes ACT score results from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
View ACT results for Minnesota districts and schools in our Data Center.
National and state ACT Condition of College & Career Readiness 2019 reports are available on the ACT website.
###
|
