PADUCAH — English, math, reading, and science are all subjects that appear on the ACT test for high school students. The agency administering the test announced that scores were the lowest in 30 years. It was the sixth consecutive year of decline, but the decline accelerated during the pandemic.
In Kentucky, less than 50% of students meet the minimum ACT score. Local educators are concerned but are working to resolve the issue.
McCracken County High School Principal Matthew Hauser said teachers and students are still playing catch-up due to the coronavirus. There have been several years of learning gaps that teachers are still filling.
Patel and Emily Matlock both attend McCracken County High School and have big dreams.
“I might be entrepreneurial and take it over like my father’s company. I might turn it into a company,” Patel said. “I’m doing something in the field of neonatal nursing, so I want to get a really good score,” Matlock said.
They want a good ACT score to go far.
“I really want to get out of state and explore outside of Kentucky and learn about new opportunities that are available to me,” Matlock said.
And to have more choices.
“The higher your score, the more likely you are to get scholarships, educational opportunities, and get into a particular university,” Patel said.
Principal Matthew Hauser said although scores have gone down since COVID-19, they are improving.
“You know there was a learning gap with COVID-19, but what we can say is that for this long, these kids are going to be in a situation where they need to perform. “We want to make sure that our students have every advantage and opportunity,” he said.
He says he incorporates ACT prep workshops and takes advantage of the CERT program. During this time, students work through practice problems and learn where they need to improve.
“Throughout school, teachers embed questions like the ACT. Maybe when the bell rings and you walk into class, you put a question on the board to start the lesson. That’s what our teachers do all year long. ” Hauser explained.
Overall, he says, they are doing what they can for students like Patel and Matlock. “I highly recommend getting out of the game,” Matlock said. “And the more you move on, the more likely you are to have better success later on.”
Younger students typically take the ACT. In McCracken County, Hauser said the school district recently started paying second-graders to take the CERT test so they can learn what they need to work on.
For parents looking to support their students, Hauser recommends considering ACT prep workshops. She can also create a CERT account to track student progress.
The preparation programs and workshops offered by the school are free, so everyone has equal access to improve their scores.