Virginia improves ACT scores, beats U.S. average

Posted to: Education News Virginia
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By Lauren Roth
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 19, 2010

Virginia students notched gains on the ACT college-readiness test, beating national averages and improving on results from 2009. However, the latest test scores show less than a third of the test-takers are ready for college-level work.

The 2010 test scores, released this morning, show that 31 percent of the Virginia students who took the test could be considered college-ready in English, math, reading and science. That is well above the national average of 24 percent. Average composite scores were also above national rates.

The SAT remains the dominant college-preparatory test for VIrginia students. However, the number and percentage of students in Virginia taking the ACT is rising. In 2010, 22 percent of the state's graduating seniors took the test, up from 19 percent from the year before.

To see state-by-state results, visit: http://bit.ly/agNPnt

SAT results will be released next month.

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This is a good indication that VA schools are on the right track

Submitted by HiYa on Wed, 08/18/2010 at 4:28 pm.

I seem to recall an article a few months back about VA deciding to stick with their own standards instead of some national standards. A few issues that seem to be overlooked are; not every student is college bound due to not being capable of the required study or wanting to pursue other careers that do not require college. Many students cannot afford the cost of college even though they want to go, most of these are middle income students whose parents cannot afford to send them and are not eligible for most scholarships. A college education can be a blessing to have, it can also be a waste of four or more years. Careful consideration should be given BEFORE deciding a major. Such as what are the job opportunities? What do the available jobs pay? Where are the jobs in the chosen field of study? Does the income from the job justify the cost of the education? Will you be content to spend your life in that field? I see a lot of wasted degrees and disappointed young people a few years after graduating.