Teachers

The average ACT college-entrance exam score for Oklahoma and the nation remained unchanged for 2009 from 2008. Although Oklahoma posted gains in math and science in 2009, its average composite score remains 20.7; the nation's average score is still 21.1. During the last five years, Oklahoma has improved its composite score by 0.3; the nation's has improved by 0.2. The ACT is graded on a scale from 0-36.

The 2010 ACT college-entrance exam scores for each public Oklahoma high school were presented to the State Board of Education today during its regular monthly meeting. The scores, posted at www.ok.gov/sde, include both composite scores and subscores in the ACT-tested areas of English, reading (social sciences), mathematics and science.

High school principals soon will be presenting ACT scores for their schools along with college remediation rates to their local school boards.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi said this year’s scores show the continued need for all Oklahoma students to take four years of core subjects.

“The results are very clear that if you take four years in these core subjects, whether or not you plan to go on to college, it is the best training for your future career,” Barresi said.

Oklahoma is one of eight states to receive part of $7.7 million in grants each year for five years from the U.S. Department of Education for training systems to help students with disabilities. The state Department of Education will receive the nearly $1.2 million annual Special Education-State Personnel Development Grant to assist in reforming and improving systems for teacher training and professional development in early intervention and Common Core State Standards to enhance results for children with disabilities.