“Over the past four years, West Virginia students have shown significant improvement in all areas tested on this assessment,” said State Superintendent Dr. Henry Marockie. “These results indicate that our state’s students can compete with their peers across the nation on this important test that is considered a precursor to the ACT.”
West Virginia students scored 14.1 in English, compared to the national average of 14.0; 14.2 in math, compared to the national average of 14.3; 14.0 in reading, compared to the national average of 13.6; and 14.3 in science, compared to the national average of 14.1.
West Virginia’s 1999 composite score of 14.3 is .2 above the national average of 14.1 and .4 above the state’s composite score of 13.9 in 1996. The state’s students have shown increases in all areas since 1996.
According to ACT, an increase of .1 is considered statistically significant.
The ACT EXPLORE assesses academic progress and helps students understand and begin to explore career options. It also assists them in developing a high school coursework plan that prepares them to achieve their post-high school goals.