Scores stable over the last 15 years
Madison students’ ACT scores remain high
Madison students’ ACT scores remain high
From Madison Metropolitan School District
Madison Metropolitan School District students received an average composite score on the ACT of 24.0. The scores were in line
with a 15-year history of the district where results have ranged from 23.5 in 1994-95 to 24.6 in 2006-07. (see table on pg. 2). In 2007-08,
MMSD’s average composite score was 24.4.
As in previous years, MMSD students outperformed their peers in the state and the nation on the 2009 ACT. District students
outscored their state peers by 1.7 points and their national peers by 2.9 points, scoring 7 percent higher and 13.7 percent higher
respectively. The average ACT score for Wisconsin and the nation remained the same as the prior year, 22.3, and 21.1, respectively.
Among the major ethnic and racial subgroups, MMSD students outperformed their peers across the state and nation in average
composite score. Madison subgroups were 9 percent to 13 percent higher than their state peers, and 2.5 percent to 14 percent higher
than their national peers.
Across ethnic groups in Madison, the one year comparisons were mixed.
• Madison’s Asian students posted the largest gain among all ethnic groups moving from 22.3 to 23.4. The state’s scores for Asian
students decreased negligibly from 20.4 in 2008 to 20.3 this year.
• Madison’s African American students’ scores dropped from 19.2 to 18.4, while the state’s score also dipped 16.8 (from 17.0).
• Hispanic students’ composite scores decreased from 21.7 to 21.4. The state’s scores for Hispanic students remained at 19.7 for
2008-09.
• The average composite score for MMSD White students dropped from 25.4 to 25.0 while the state’s score nudged up from 22.8 to
22.9.
Sixty-nine percent of all MMSD 12th grade students participated in the ACT during 2008-09, compared to 70 percent last year. Over
the last 15 years, MMSD participation has ranged from 67-74 percent.
“I’m pleased to note that nearly 70 percent of Madison’s 12th graders take the ACT and do well, demonstrating that we offer a
quality instructional program for the college-bound. However, we still have much work to do in addressing the continued gap between
students of color and White students,” said Superintendent Daniel Nerad.
The ACT exam, scored on a scale of 1 to 36, is administered locally by the American College Testing Program, and covers English,
math, reading, science reasoning, and includes an optional writing component. The ACT is one of two major tests (SAT is the other) for
students planning to enter a four-year college.
For more information, contact:
Joe Quick, 663-1902, or Ken Syke, 663-1903
Madison Metropolitan School District students received an average composite score on the ACT of 24.0. The scores were in line
with a 15-year history of the district where results have ranged from 23.5 in 1994-95 to 24.6 in 2006-07. (see table on pg. 2). In 2007-08,
MMSD’s average composite score was 24.4.
As in previous years, MMSD students outperformed their peers in the state and the nation on the 2009 ACT. District students
outscored their state peers by 1.7 points and their national peers by 2.9 points, scoring 7 percent higher and 13.7 percent higher
respectively. The average ACT score for Wisconsin and the nation remained the same as the prior year, 22.3, and 21.1, respectively.
Among the major ethnic and racial subgroups, MMSD students outperformed their peers across the state and nation in average
composite score. Madison subgroups were 9 percent to 13 percent higher than their state peers, and 2.5 percent to 14 percent higher
than their national peers.
Across ethnic groups in Madison, the one year comparisons were mixed.
• Madison’s Asian students posted the largest gain among all ethnic groups moving from 22.3 to 23.4. The state’s scores for Asian
students decreased negligibly from 20.4 in 2008 to 20.3 this year.
• Madison’s African American students’ scores dropped from 19.2 to 18.4, while the state’s score also dipped 16.8 (from 17.0).
• Hispanic students’ composite scores decreased from 21.7 to 21.4. The state’s scores for Hispanic students remained at 19.7 for
2008-09.
• The average composite score for MMSD White students dropped from 25.4 to 25.0 while the state’s score nudged up from 22.8 to
22.9.
Sixty-nine percent of all MMSD 12th grade students participated in the ACT during 2008-09, compared to 70 percent last year. Over
the last 15 years, MMSD participation has ranged from 67-74 percent.
“I’m pleased to note that nearly 70 percent of Madison’s 12th graders take the ACT and do well, demonstrating that we offer a
quality instructional program for the college-bound. However, we still have much work to do in addressing the continued gap between
students of color and White students,” said Superintendent Daniel Nerad.
The ACT exam, scored on a scale of 1 to 36, is administered locally by the American College Testing Program, and covers English,
math, reading, science reasoning, and includes an optional writing component. The ACT is one of two major tests (SAT is the other) for
students planning to enter a four-year college.
For more information, contact:
Joe Quick, 663-1902, or Ken Syke, 663-1903
ACT Score Comparison by Year
Average Composite:
Year Madison Wisc US % MMSD 12th Graders Tested
2008-09 24.0 22.3 21.1 69%
2007-08 24.4 22.3 21.1 70%
2006-07 24.6 22.3 21.2 69%
2005-06 24.2 22.2 21.1 70%
2004-05 24.3 22.2 20.9 74%
2003-04 24.2 22.2 20.9 70%
2002-03 23.9 22.2 20.8 68%
2001-02 24.4 22.2 20.8 67%
2000-01 24.1 22.2 21.0 70%
1999-00 24.2 22.2 21.0 72%
1998-99 24.4 22.3 21.0 67%
1997-98 24.5 22.3 21.0 67%
1996-97 24.5 22.3 21.0 70%
1995-96 23.8 22.1 20.9 71%
1994-95 23.5 22.0 20.8 70%