Elkhorn aims for better scores in future years
By Vicky Wedig
Staff Writer
and Kellen Olshefski
Editor
All but four area high schools scored above the state average on the 2013-14 ACT test, according to results released Aug. 20.
Elkhorn, Union Grove, Palmyra-Eagle and Delavan-Darien high schools showed average composite scores on the test that were below the state average of 22.1 out of a possible score of 36.
The results are for 2014 graduates who took the test during high school, most their junior year.
The highest composite score of area schools was in Williams Bay where students scored 26.1 on average. The composite score is a compilation of results in English, math, reading, science and writing. The lowest composite score was in Delavan-Darien where students scored 19.9 on average.
Elkhorn Area School District Administrator Jason Tadlock said this year’s score was fairly consistent with where scores have been over the past few years, though improving scores is something the district is pursuing aggressively.
Elkhorn Area High School Principal Chris Trottier said the school district is taking a very proactive approach to improving scores, analyzing scores from previous years and what students who are excelling on the exam have done differently than those who might not have.
Trottier said one of the biggest challenges the district faces in improving scores is breaking some “systemic obstacles” in getting students into the highest level courses.
“So stretching our kids and getting them into college preparatory courses,” he said.
As an example, Trottier noted the district’s addition of AP Human Geography for freshman students.
“Some schools are doing that and I right away, along with our social studies department, said why not us,” he said. “So, getting kids into that disposition of taking rigorous courses, and we have kids who are capable of that.”
According to Trottier, about 130 students take AP tests last year. Trottier said research shows that by getting the mark closer to 200, students who simply took the AP test are not only more likely to score better on the ACT, but also perform better in the freshman and sophomore years.
“So, we have a goal, a school goal, of by 2018 having 300 students taking AP tests,” he said.
According to Trottier, the district has done some remodeling, specifically to the math curriculum, with more eighth graders taking geometry.
“From a systemic standpoint, we have our eye on the prize,” he said. “Getting more kids into those upper level courses links our students readiness to ACT performance.”
Additionally, Trottier noted that students in the past have taken either physical science or biography as a freshman at the high school. Looking at what the ACT aligns data to and its core requirements (bio, chemistry and physics), Trottier said this might be another issue.
“Why not have every kid take bio if that’s what ACT recommends and data shows that’s going to get our kids in the best position to be successful on the ACT test, which in term means college and career readiness,” he said.
Trottier said in terms of college and career readiness, data shows it’s important to get more students in physics and the high school has hired an additional teacher this year in hopes of expanding the program from three sections this year, to between five and seven in the future.
Additionally, Trottier noted that Elkhorn students who had taken bio, chemistry and physics scored significantly higher than the state average on the ACT, averaging around 26.3.
“By eliminating physical, going to that bio, chem and physics, and looking to expand that physics path, look at what we can do to our data, nationally known data by ACT, to improving our science readiness for college and careers,” he said.
The final part, according to Trottier, is establishing career pathways and having continuing dialogues about what it means to be career and college ready.
“So, kids understanding that, for example, ‘if I’m going to be an automotive technician, I need to take Project Lead the Way digital electronics, which is a college preparatory course for MSOE, but also take physics,” he said.
For the last time this year, the participation rate of graduating seniors will come into play. The percentage of 2014 graduates who took the test as juniors ranged from a high of 76.9 percent in Muskego-Norway to a low of 45.8 percent in Whitewater.
Beginning this school year, all juniors will take the ACT test, which will replace the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination as the required state test, said Delavan-Darien Superintendent Robert Crist Crist.
A fee will no longer be charged for the test, and all juniors’ scores will be compiled.
“I’m going to find this really interesting across the state on what these results will be,” Crist said.
Trottier said he thinks this replacing the WKCE with the ACT is going to be a great thing for students. Additionally, he noted the ACT Work Keys exam will be given on the day after the ACT.
“The really nice thing about the Work Keys is it’s a career-readiness assessment,” he said. “You get a certificate…there’s different rankings to where your readiness is according to this Work Keys. They’re giving both tests, it’s great for our kids.”
A student’s result on the ACT test can help him or her determine a future path whether it be college, technical school, the military or a trade, Crist said.
A good score on the ACT typically is 24 to 36, he said.
“Very few people get in the 30 category, but those who do can do pretty much whatever they want to do as far as college,” he said.
Students who score 24 and above will be admitted to most colleges, and students who score in the low 20s can still attend college but won’t have as vast a selection of schools to choose from, Crist said.
Students who score below 20 might not have the ability that college admissions people are looking for, he said. In those cases, it’s time for students to do some soul-searching, assess their strengths and find technical college programs that will facilitate a career that uses those abilities, he said.
“We want more kids to take the test,” Crist said. “I’ve always encouraged people to take the ACT so they can realize where they are as a junior so they can shore up their academics or start planning for something different than college.”
Additionally, Trottier said that he feels it is one indicator the school can use in terms of students college and career readiness.
“Getting those kids in that top 5 to ten percent, 26 and above, is where we want to be,” he said.
School that are trying to outperform other districts on their composite scores might encourage only college-bound juniors to take the test, but Crist said that is not the purpose of the exam for students.
“It’s about trying to help them prepare for their future,” he said. “The best we can do for kids is to help them understand their capabilities.”
Looking towards the future, Trottier added that Elkhorn Area High School is moving towards an embedded ACT preparatory class, continuing the ACT Explore with eighth graders and continuing the ACT Aspire with freshman and sophomores, both of which were put into place last year.
