The Louisiana ACT Council recently recognized Northeast High School with its highest honor, the 2010 College Readiness Award, in recognition of the school having a significant increase in its American College Testing (ACT) Composite Score over the past five years while, at the same time, increasing or maintaining the number of students taking the ACT assessment. 

A great number of Northeast High students were college ready as a result of those efforts, the Council said.  Only 34 high schools in the state were able to accomplish this.  Northeast High was the only area public school to receive the award.

More than 90 percent of Louisiana students took the ACT in 2010, which was an all-time high, and Louisiana scores have remained steady during the last five years.  This indicates students are using score results to make improvements to their college readiness levels.  It also indicates school faculty and staff are providing the “kind of education that makes a positive difference for all students in preparing them for college and the workforce,” the Council letter stated.

According to figures released on August 19, East Baton Rouge Parish’s public schools’ average ACT score grew to 19.7 points from 19.5 points the previous year.  The largest gains in the district occurred in English, which grew by 0.3 points.  The increase of 0.2 points for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System is well within yelling distance of the nation’s unchanged average of 21.1 points.  The state average, 20.1, is 0.2 points less than last year’s average of 20.3 points.

The Louisiana ACT Council is comprised of secondary and post-secondary educators who advice ACT Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in Louisiana schools and colleges.