Record number of TOPS-eligible scores
Published 8:36 am Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Three analyses of Louisiana students’ 2014 ACT results, which were released today by the state Department of Education, show a record number of students earned TOPS-eligible scores.
During a media teleconference Tuesday, State Superintendent of Education John White said the department released charts showing the number of public school students achieving various TOPS-level scores, the average best score for public school students and the most recent scores of both public and private school students.
White said the number of Louisiana students taking the ACT has increased as well due to the 2013 state requirement that all public schools administer the test to all students at no cost. White said that even with a large increase in test takers, TOPS-eligible scores have steadily risen. He said research has proved that students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, score well when given the chance to take the test.
“You see (on the 2014 results) a huge increase in the number of kids at every level that are achieving those scores that are required for college and scholarships,” White said. “We should be very proud of the … increased college access that we are providing through this policy of requiring the ACT.”
The 2014 results showed:
l 26,805 students scored a 17 or higher, qualifying them for TOPS Tech — an increase of 6,339 students since 2012.
l 16,935 students scored a 20 or higher, qualifying them for the TOPS Opportunity Regional University — an increase of 2,806 students since 2012.
l 8,834 students scored a 23 or higher, qualifying them for the TOPS Performance & Statewide University — an increase of 1,405 students since 2012.
l 5,301 students scored a 25 or higher, qualifying them for TOPS Flagship University — an increase of 1,005 students since 2012.
l 3,116 students scored a 27 or higher, qualifying them for TOPS Honors — an increase of 681 students since 2012.
White said the “best score” methodology, which is the top score a student earned at any time, showed Louisiana students average ACT score remained steady even with the large increase in test takers. The average score for public school students was 19.1 in 2013 and in 2014. He said the best score method is used by colleges and TOPS and in calculating school letter grades.
White said the “most recent score” methodology, which is what ACT uses, shows a lower score average — 18.6 for public school students in 2014, compared with 18.9 in 2013, and 19.2 for private-school students, compared with 19.5 in 2013.
“Overall the reports … indicate a success of the state’s policy of providing college access by requiring the ACT for every high school junior,” White said. “They also indicate that we have academic challenges, especially in mathematics that we can remedy if we raise mathematics expectations at every level. Our mathematics achievement when compared to other states is not near where it needs to be. We need to raise our expectations and teach our kids to higher expectations to expect them to be successful in life after high school.”