ACT Recognizes Outstanding Education and Workforce Achievements

October 28, 2009

Iowa City, IA—To celebrate 50 years of helping students achieve education and workforce success, ACT today presented awards to seven recipients who have demonstrated a strong commitment to college and career readiness at the "Recognizing Exemplary Achievement in College and Career Readiness" ceremony in Washington, D.C.

"ACT could think of no better way to celebrate our 50th anniversary than to recognize those who have achieved exemplary success improving college, career, and workforce readiness," said ACT CEO and Board Chairman Dick Ferguson. "ACT honors those who use our research and solutions to help their students and citizens achieve education and workplace success."

U.S. Representative Dave Loebsack (Iowa)—Member of the House Education and Labor Committee—attended the ceremony and pledged to continue promoting quality education and fair workplace opportunities for everyone.

"As a former professor, I have seen first-hand what education and career training can do to change lives," said Congressman Loebsack. "From valuable skills that are needed in the workplace to the background necessary to excel in higher education to increased confidence and self-reliance, education is truly the bridge to a better life for so many students. I applaud ACT for their exemplary work and commitment to their students and would like to congratulate all of the students, schools, businesses, and states that received ACT Awards."

See the Award Recipients

The ACT Achievement Award was presented to Isaac Santos, a 2009 graduate of Lincoln Park High School in Chicago, Illinois who now attends Columbia University in New York City. The award honors students who have made exceptional progress in becoming ready for college and career as shown by their academic growth from middle school through high school graduation, their academic achievement, and their potential to excel in postsecondary education.

The ACT College and Career Readiness Award recognized South Charleston High School in South Charleston, West Virginia. The award honors schools that have excelled in preparing their students for the rigors of college and career. South Charleston has demonstrated a capacity to successfully accelerate the college and career readiness of their students at rates significantly higher than their peers.

The ACT Systems of Excellence Award was presented to two recipients—the States of Colorado and Illinois. Each state has made significant progress toward improving the college and career readiness of their students, and both were among the first in the nation to expect all students to be college and career ready by the time they graduated from high school.

The ACT Employer of Excellence Award recognized Wolverine Coil Spring in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In business since 1946, the metal products manufacturer has successfully implemented ACT resources to improve workforce quality. The company served as a Western Michigan pilot site for ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate. Wolverine Coil Spring has been a tireless advocate for local and regional adoption of ACT initiatives to ensure a strong and skilled workforce into the future.

The ACT Workforce Readiness Award was presented to Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas. As an ACT test center, Hutchinson Community College provides job profiling and support to area businesses. In addition, the college administers ACT's WorkKeys^® assessments in their academic programs. Students may then work toward a National Career Readiness Certificate; a Certificate that shows students have the necessary skills to compete in the marketplace.

The ACT Community Development Award honored the State of Georgia. Through Georgia Work Ready—the state's career readiness program—the state issues a credential aligned with ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate. The State of Georgia promotes foundational skills and career readiness as critical parts of successful workforce and economic development.