Texas ACT scores rise, now match national average
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Students' average score on the ACT in Texas increased enough to match the national average for the high school graduating class of 2013 - but far fewer youngsters here continue to take the college entrance exam than their counterparts in other states.
Results being released Wednesday show Texas students had an average composite score of 20.9 out of a possible 36, a tenth of a percentage point higher than the average score of 20.8 from last year and 2011. The 2013 national composite score slipped to 20.9 from 21.1 a year prior.
Only 37 percent of graduating Texas students took the ACT, however, down 2 percentage points from 2012. Nationwide, 54 percent of students graduating high school took the ACT, though that includes nine states where nearly all students take it.
Traditionally the ACT has been a rival college entrance exam to the SAT, but it is now taken by at least 50 percent of high school graduates in 29 states.
More at http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_23906600/texas-act-scores-rise-now-match-national-average .
[font color=green]Mediocrity meets in the middle.[/font] 