Kate Thayer, TribLocal reporter
Three of five high schools in District 211 improved their ACT scores over last year, while the district’s composite was exactly the same and above state and national averages.
The district-wide average composite score was 22.9. The ACT, taken by juniors, has a maximum of 36 points and four subject categories – English, mathematics, science and reading. Each category is scored and the composite is the overall score.
The national composite average was 21, down slightly from 21.1, while the average for Illinois was 20.7, down from 20.8.
The scores for Palatine and Fremd were lower, while the other three scored slightly better than in 2009. Palatine High’s 2010 score was 22.2, compared to 22.6 last year. Fremd scored 24.6 this year, 25.1 the prior year.
Fremd is the highest scoring school, the case for a while now, said Danielle Hauser, the district’s director of instructional improvement. It’s hard to tell why Fremd scores higher than Conant, Hoffman Estates, Palatine and Schaumburg high schools. Or, why scores fluctuate in general.
“We have the same programs at the five (schools),” she said. “Students are different. We try to put them in opportunities so they achieve their very best.”
Composite scores for the other three schools were as follows: Conant 23, compared to 22.9 last year; Hoffman Estates 21.9 compared to 21.1 and Schaumburg 22.2, up from 22.
The highest increase in individual subject scores was a 1.6 climb for Hoffman Estates in reading, which went from 20.6 last year to 21.9 this year.
The highest decrease was in Fremd’s English score, which dropped 0.8 from 25.5 to 24.7, but still remained the highest English score in the district.
Hauser said each school tries to prepare students for the ACT in several ways, including advanced placement courses, guided study halls and tutoring. Each school also has an ACT preparation course, which is offered during the day or outside school hours, she said.
A major component of preparing students for the ACT test and other such academic measures is the district’s curriculum, Hauser said.
“I believe the core strength comes from curriculum, and we continue to make advancements there,” she said. “That has some impact on how students score on the ACT.”
