Test Scores :::
For Release: September 18, 2006
LT best-ever test scores
Once again, Lyons Township High School test takers scored above state and national averages on standardized tests: the American College Test (ACT), the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT I), and Advanced Placement (AP) tests.
In the spring of 2006, students scored 3 or above on 92% of the Advanced Placement tests taken. Scores of 3 or higher are often granted college level credit by many college/universities. In total, 520 students took 1000 AP exams.
LT’s AP Program is among the top in the state. An astonishing 92% of the 1,000 tests taken scored at a level where college credit may be awarded. Those students that receive college credit have an opportunity to accelerate not only the pace at which they can take advanced courses but also may finish college early, potentially saving thousands of dollars in tuition.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Scott Eggerding said, “LT’s AP record is impressive. The number of AP scores at the 3, 4, and 5 levels can be attributed to many things, including raising awareness of AP courses and opportunities, increased teacher preparation and teaching excellence, and student motivation and effort.”
AP exams were offered in 25 disciplines, each consisting of multiple-choice, essay, or problem-solving questions. AP exams are graded on a 1-5 point scale (5 is the highest). Most of the nation's colleges and universities award credit and/or placement for grades of 3 or higher, and more than 1,300 institutions award one year of credit to students with a sufficient number of qualifying grades.
ACT on the rise…again
LT's 2006 ACT composite score rose .3 to 23.4, statistically and significantly
higher than the state score of 20.5 and national average of 21.1. Eggerding says, “It is difficult,
if not impossible, to attribute a higher ACT score to any one factor. There may be several factors
at work, such as an infusion to test prep into the curriculum and improved reading instruction. We’r
e encouraged by our results and hope to continue our upward trend.”
It’s important to note that LT’s composite ACT score is just shy of where it was five years ago when only the scores of college-bound students who elected to take the test were reported. Beginning in 2002, all juniors were required to take the ACT as part of the Prairie State Achievement exam. Since then, LT has increased it total overall score.
The ACT primarily serves as a measure of a student's preparation for college coursework in the first year of college. ACT scores are curriculum-based achievement tests designed to assess critical reasoning and high-order thinking skills in English, mathematics, reading, and science. They reflect students’ skills and achievement as a result of their high school coursework. ACT scores are reported on a scale of 1-36.
SAT average at an all-time high
The SAT I consists of critical reading and math tests, with a perfect composite score
equaling 1600. The exam is designed to test general reasoning abilities, to measure knowledge in
specific content areas, and to test the ability to apply that knowledge.
LT's SAT I composite score for 2006 is 1240, above the state average of 1200 and significantly
higher than the national average of 1021. While the number of students taking the SAT I is lower
than last year – 139 in 2006; 173 in 2005; 163 in 2004 - LT is encouraging more sophomores to take
the Preliminary SAT in anticipation of junior year testing. The PSAT is an exceptional way to
practice for the variety of rigorous and timed tests students will take for college admissions, and
increasing PSAT test prep improves LT students’ potential for National Merit qualification.
"LT’s challenges remain the same: ensure a rigorous, academic curriculum; provide sound
instruction; motivate and support students; and search for effective preparation tools,” according
Superintendent Dr. Dennis Kelly. He adds that “ACT and SAT scores play an important role in LT
students getting into the best colleges. We owe it to them and to our community to make sure their
scores reflect their true abilities.”