Resources Available for Students Who Took ACT
Nevada students who took the ACT in February and March are now receiving their scores, which is valuable information as they begin to make future plans. This information allows students to plan for college and career and gives schools a helpful resource in identifying ways to both help accelerate students on-track and provide the essential support necessary to students who are not.
“With the vast majority of jobs in Nevada’s new economy requiring post-secondary education or training, the value of the ACT has never been greater,” said Steve Canavero, Ph.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction. “This is why Nevada, in an effort to provide equitable access to post-secondary education to all students, provides the ACT for free to every 11th grader. Most of the 34,342 students now have a score that they can submit to colleges in Nevada and across the country for college admission purposes.”
The decision to administer the ACT to all 11th graders is anchored in Nevada’s commitment to equity. By offering the college entrance exam to all students, Nevada has seen a seismic shift in the demographics of participating students. In 2015 only 9,308 Nevada students participated in the ACT. Of the number of students who tested, 45 percent were White, 7 percent Asian, 6 percent African Americans, and 27 percent Hispanic/Latino. In 2016 the number of Nevada student participants increased to 32,261. Of the number of students who tested, 32 percent were White, 5 percent Asian, 7 percent African Americans, and 36 percent Hispanic/Latino, accurately reflecting the diversity of Nevada.
Nevada aims to be the “Fastest Improving State in the Nation” over the next five years and has set a target to raise its average ACT composite score from 17.7 to 20.8. If Nevada is successful in achieving this goal it would move the state from last amongst the 17 states that offer the ACT to all 11th graders in the 2016 administration of the ACT into a tie for second place. The non-remedial placement guarantee at Nevada System of Higher Education is an ACT score of 18 in English and 22 in mathematics.
ACT scores are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities across the country. Nevada students have received their score results from the recently completed ACT statewide testing assessment. ACT provides a variety of resources to help students, parents and educators with interpreting students’ ACT scores: