Learning from the class of 2008

ACT test results are in for the graduating class of 2008. While the number of test takers increased by 9 percent and college readiness indicators held relatively stable, there is still work to do to ensure students are prepared to gain admission and succeed in college.

Nationally, less than 25 percent of students are ready for college. ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks indicate students who have a high probability (75 percent or greater) of earning a "C" or better and a 50 percent chance of earning a "B" or higher in corresponding first-year college coursework. Only 22 percent of the 2008 U.S. high school graduates met all four benchmark scores.

In English, 68 percent of the students achieved the benchmark of 18 or better, which correlates to readiness for first-year college composition. A math score of 22 or higher corresponds to college-level algebra; 43 percent of 2008 graduates demonstrated readiness in this subject. In reading, 53 percent achieved the benchmark score of 21 or more showing readiness for first-year social science courses requiring a great deal of reading and comprehension skills. And a score of 24 or higher in science was attained by 28 percent of 2008 graduates, translating into readiness for college-level biology.

Only six in 10 students take a rigorous curriculum to prepare for college. Sixty-one percent of 2008 graduates reported taking a college preparatory schedule in high school. Yet ACT research shows that 77 percent of middle and early high school students plan to enter a four-year college or university.

Less preparation means more remediation. As more and more unprepared students go to college, more will need remediation coursework. Up to 40 percent are forced to take at least one remedial class just to get up to speed on college-level work. Those courses cost money and slow progress to a degree. Students who are required to take remedial work are also more likely to drop out of college.

Help your teen prepare a road map to get to college and to stick with it. Be ready to guide your student to seek out answers to the questions you'll both encounter along the way. School counselors and teachers are valuable resources, but you can also seek out the knowledge and experience of those around you.

When to take the ACT

Because the ACT is a curriculum-based test, we recommend that students take the test in the spring semester of their junior year. Those test results should show which areas may need improvement and allow time for additional study. Students who test early still have time to retake the test in order to meet college application deadlines in their senior year.

We believe that every student should have the opportunity to go to college and have a successful career. By encouraging your student to take the ACT, you are taking a positive step toward college readiness.

To see if your student is ready to take the ACT, have him or her try the free practice questions.

Editor's note: Originally, the story read "we recommend that students take the test early in their junior year." To clarify, we suggest students take the ACT test in the spring semester of their junior year. This is early enough that they have time to re-take it, if they choose to, before college application deadlines.

The importance of college and work readiness

First, the good news. College enrollment is high. Three-fourths of students enroll in a postsecondary education program within two years of completing high school. The bad news is that almost half of those college students take at least one remedial course just to get up to speed and ready for college-level work.

Though we all need to review concepts from time to time, remedial classes are expensive and time-consuming. At most schools, a remedial class doesn't count toward graduation, yet costs as much as any other class and may delay a student's graduation. For many, retaking courses that should have been completed in high school may be frustrating to the point that it leads to dropping out of college.

ACT research shows that within eight years of college enrollment, 70 percent of students who took one or more remedial reading courses, and 58 percent of students who took two or fewer remedial math courses, did not obtain a college degree or certificate.

Being unprepared costs not only students, their families and the institutions they attend, it also creates higher costs for all of us. Some estimates claim that when students leave high school unprepared it costs our country $16 billion per year for remediation, lost productivity and increased demands on our justice and welfare systems.

So college preparedness is important to all of us. Your student can be ready for college and career by taking rigorous, college preparatory classes in high school. Encourage your teen to explore interests and careers early on and develop a plan to achieve his or her dreams. Find career planning tips on our website.

Meet the bloggers

At the ACT Student Blog, tag along as two students share their senior year and college prep experiences with all of us during the upcoming school year.

Emily attends high school in the Buffalo, NY, area. Both of her parents are educators and she has an older sister who's completing her bachelor's degree. Emily took the ACT this past June and is planning to take it one more time during her senior year.

Jedidiah will be blogging from the lone star state of Texas, where he lives with his parents and three siblings. Jedidiah has taken the ACT twice and worked hard to improve his score on the second test.

Together, they'll document the ways they navigate through the college admissions process and their final year of high school.

ACT test date reminder

The next 2008 – 2009 ACT national test date is October, 25, 2008. The registration deadline is September 19, 2008. Late registration, with an additional fee, is September 20 through October 3, 2008.

An optional Writing Test is available in addition to the multiple-choice achievement test. Find out about the Writing Test on the ACT student website, including the colleges that require it.

On the ACT student website, check out the test prep aids. Free sample questions are available along with test-day tips, a list of what to bring, and approved calculators for use on the Math Test.

Preparing for the ACT, a booklet with a complete practice test, scoring key, writing prompt, and sample essays, is available to download on the Test Prep section of actstudent.org. The ACT registration packet, available from the counseling office, also contains the booklet. Sign up for ACT Online Prep™, the only test prep program developed exclusively by ACT test development professionals. It is a very inexpensive tool your student can use for a full year.

For all your questions about the ACT test, visit ACT's student website.

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