From Deseret News archives:
Utah tops U.S. on ACT
But gaps persist between whites and minorities
Yet achievement gaps between whites and ethnic minorities for the Class of 2006 test-takers continue even when some ethnic groups report higher percentages than whites enrolled in rigorous courses.
Why?
There is no easy answer. Education experts caution against drawing conclusions with insufficient data, a single test or using small samples. Still, the information adds to complex data on achievement gaps, an issue being debated locally and nationally.
"The problem is very tenacious and very complex," said Patrick Galvin, Salt Lake District research, assessment and evaluation director. "We've not found a silver bullet to fix it."
Utah's average ACT composite score rose from 21.5 to 21.7 between 2005 and 2006, surpassing the national average of 21.1, which was up from 20.9.
ACT scores are scaled from 1 to 36.
More than 21,500 Utah students 69 percent of the graduating class took the exam; about 1,000 more than in the class of 2005.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patti Harrington called all that "good news."
"In addition, the percentage of minority students taking the test is slightly increasing for some subgroups. This, too, is hopeful," she said in a prepared statement.
But ethnic minority scores trail whites'. Caucasians' composite averaged a 22 mirroring the national score for that group. Blacks and American Indian/Alaska natives averaged an 18.2, Hispanics a 19.3, and Asian American/Pacific Islanders averaged 20.7.
All Utah group scores, except those for "other" ethnicity/no response and Asian American/Pacific Islanders, improved from last year. And all but American Indian/Alaska native and Asian American/Pacific Islanders met or beat national averages.
A rigorous class schedule is known to boost ACT scores; overall, students who took the ACT-recommended "core" regimen averaged a 22.6 composite score versus 20.7 for those who didn't.
Half of Caucasians reported taking the ACT core regimen, and their composite averaged 22.9.
But 51 percent of Hispanics took the core regimen and averaged a 20 composite, well below Caucasians. Sixty percent of Asian American/Pacific Islanders reported taking "core or more" and averaged a 21.4.
Comments
- Liukin saving college gymnastics 3:15 p.m.
- Pettitte, Yankees agree 3:14 p.m.
- Stocks ended higher 2:59 p.m.
- S.L. County OKs budget, tax increase 2:45 p.m.
- 20 years ago: Jazz 2:44 p.m.
- College football top 25 2:43 p.m.
- UVU volleyball comes up short 2:42 p.m.
- Workers prepare for 2010 Census 2:37 p.m.
- Man sentenced in W. Jordan homicide 2:31 p.m.
- In football, Horns are cash cow 2:26 p.m.
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU
- Max Hall wants to look ahead
- Non-BCS schools not given fair shot
- Snow brings big chill
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- Jazz go up against 'the best'
- Many seek to wipe clean misdeeds
- Haws playing like a veteran
- Doctor calls Mitchell 'naive,' 'inept'
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
287 - Letters: Global warming a lie
225 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
175 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
145 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
131 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
121 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
100 - Revive full food tax?
98
My wife Lisa and I would prefer never to argue. But that's not going to...
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Senator, Brother Hatch has nothing on the Adam Sandler Hanukkah songs. Those...
Arent there laws preventing this "bate and switch" advertising? Shady my...
Even a national champion North Carolina team would have a hard time beating...
So, we should shut down amusement parks, Mt. Everest, all other recreational...
BCS, Utah 2 BYU O National Titles BYU 1 Utah 0 Cotton Bowl Wins BYU 1 Utah...
I used to think that congress should stay out of BCS matters and tend to more...
What ya gonna do with a guy who thinks it's his calling in life to bring...
A UTE FAN GUIDE TO POSTING COMMENTS 1. If you lose a big game, talk about...
I am sorry for your loss, I too had a burm, he is know 27. I moved to Ca from...
The news article says it all...40 years later.....by the judge of the...




You can be the first to comment on this story.