Most ACT scores up in Shawano County

Most area school districts recorded improved ACT scores among students taking the test in the 2014-15 school year.

According to results released by the state, the Marion and Bonduel school districts registered highest in the county, both with an average composite score of 22.9.

That is nearly a full point above the Wisconsin statewide average of 22.1.

Students in the Clintonville and Shawano school districts fell just below the state average, with scores of 22 and 21.6 respectively. Clintonville’s score was unchanged from the previous year, while Shawano saw its average drop from the previous level of 22.3.

Marion School District Superintendent James Bena said the test results in his district are a tribute to both the quality of teachers working there and the hard work of their students.

“It reflects in these test scores,” Bena said.

The Marion average composite score was three points higher than the district’s performance the previous year — the biggest increase for any district in the county.

Marion High School Principal Dan Breitrick said the students taking the ACT during the 2014-15 school year included several high-achieving students.

“They took it upon themselves to do the best they could,” Breitrick said.

Bonduel High School Principal Jane Wonderling said students and staff worked very hard during the school year to prepare for the ACT, with the stated goal of beating the state average.

Bonduel’s average scored jumped a half point from the previous year, and the district also recorded Shawano County’s highest participation rate, with more than 58 percent of eligible students taking the exam.

“Our student body did a fabulous job,” Wonderling said. “We’re very, very proud of our students.”

All other districts in the county recorded average composite scores below the state average, although most saw their scores go up from the previous year.

The district experiencing the most significant drop in ACT scores was the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District. Students in that district scored an average composite 20.8, down from 21.6 the previous year.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood School Superintendent Garrett Rogowski said he and his staff would examine the ACT test results to determine how students performed.

Noting that officials also employ other assessment tools to gauge student performance, Rogowski said he was not overly worried about the latest ACT results.

“The ACT is one measure that we absolutely value and use,” he said. “Does the score reflect anything that’s of concern to me? No, because it’s one measure.”

can trim:Wisconsin tied with Iowa for second place behind Minnesota (22.7) among states where 50 percent or more of students take the assessment.

Approximately 73 percent of the state’s 2015 public and private school graduates (46,738 students) took the ACT during high school. With virtually all of Wisconsin’s public school 11th-graders having taken the ACT this past spring as part of statewide assessments, ACT participation will rise dramatically next year and scores are expected to decline. Those results for last year’s 11th-graders will be reported later in fall.

Wisconsin’s ACT-taking population was comprised of 10,216 students who identified themselves as being from a traditionally underrepresented racial or ethnic group. Black graduates had a composite score of 16.3, up one-tenth of a point from last year. For Hispanic students, the average composite score was 19.4, up two-tenths of a point. Composite scores for American Indian students increased three-tenths of a point to 19.8. That test-taking population is very small (235 students), which means scores can fluctuate widely. Scores for other student groups largely held steady. Achievement gaps between students of color and their white peers persist.

“While overall student achievement on the ACT is quite strong, we have work to do to close achievement gaps and assure college and career readiness for all students,” said Tony Evers, state superintendent of schools.