More students taking ACT

Siloam Springs School District is administering more ACT Tests to seniors than ever before thanks to state funding for the college readiness test.

The number of students taking the test in Siloam Springs rose steadily over the past decade, from about 50 to 60 percent in 2007 to nearly 90 percent over the past two years, according to a report Kelly Svebek, director of assessment and accountability, presented to the school board at Thursday’s meeting.

In 2016, a total of 289 graduating seniors took the test, compared to 203 in 2015 and 142 in 2007, the report stated. The number of students taking the test is up across the state and nation as well, Svebek said. In Arkansas 28,120 seniors took the test in 2016 in comparison to 26,955 in 2015, and 2.09 million students took the test nationally in 2016 compared to 1.94 million the previous year.

More students are taking the test because the school district began offering the Voluntary Universal ACT Assessments to all high school juniors during the 2014/2015 school year. The test was paid for by district funds in 2015 and state funds in 2016. For many students, the Voluntary Universal ACT was the only time they took the test and their scores counted towards the school’s average during their senior year, Svebek said.

Previously, students and their parents were responsible for the expense, and generally it was only the students who were serious about going to college who

took the test. Encouraging more students to take the test provides a tremendous opportunity to show seniors they may have more options, Svebek said.

The increase in number of students taking the test led to a slight dip in scores. In 2016, the average composite score was 20.5 for Siloam Springs High School, slightly higher than the state average of 20.2 and slightly lower than the national average of 20.8. In comparison, the Siloam Springs High School average was 21.5 in 2015, the state average was 20.4 and the national average was 20.8.

Svebek also reported the results of the first year of ACT Aspire tests to the school board. Arkansas students have taken three standardized tests over the past three years, including the PARCC test in 2015 and Benchmark Exams in 2014, making it difficult for schools to track progress. The ACT Aspire is administered to students in grades three through 10 and tests students’ abilities in English, reading, writing, math and science.

The test categorizes scores by those “in need of support,” “close,” “ready” and “exceeding.” Svebek noted that district and state scores were low across the board. Students who fall into the categories of “in need of support,” and “close” are required to have an academic improvement plan, she said.

“When we see large numbers of students in need of support its alarming to us,” Svebek said.

Writing scores were particularly low, with only 10 percent of fourth-graders and 12 percent of fifthgraders scoring “ready” or “exceeding” in writing. However, the scores were only slightly below state averages. Writing scores were higher for older students, with 44 percent of ninthgraders and 53 percent of tenth-graders meeting the readiness benchmarks, slightly above state averages.

Svebek said the test required students to write entire essays online in just 30 minutes, which was particularly difficult for younger students who were used to composing essays on paper. Test makers are readjusting the writing portion of the assessment to allow more time next year, she said. The district also plans to work with students on composing essays online.

The district’s math scores were a highlight of the results, with more than 70 percent of sixth-graders meeting the state benchmarks, she said. She attributed much of the success in math to the district’s CGI math program. Students in early and middle grades, who have had CGI math instruction for several years, scored higher than students in higher grades who have not had as much instruction in the method, she said.

Svebek also reported that 160 students took a total of 246 Advanced Placement Tests in 2016. Advanced Placement classes allow students to earn college credit if they pass the test at the end of the exam. Scores for the 13 classes the district offers were well above state averages, Svebek said. She noted that AP classes are available to all students and said she was very pleased to see an increase in minorities taking the classes.

In other business, school board president Brian Lamb announced the results of the September school board election. Audra Ferrell was re-elected to serve the remaining two years of her father Louie Thomas’ term, and Chuck Hyde was elected to serve another five-year term. Both candidates were unopposed.

The board also held their annual election of officers, reappointing Brian Lamb as president, Brent Butler as vice president, Chuck Hyde as secretary and Roger Holroyd as legislative liaison.

The school board took the following additional actions:

• Approved a minority teacher recruitment plan as required by the Arkansas Department of Education.

• Approved a list of staff members who received raises over five percent this year, as required by state law. Most staff members who received large raises transitioned from parttime to full-time, or were hired toward the end of the school year last year and have signed a contract to work the full year this year.

• Accepted the resignation of Phillip Todd Craig, Middle School science teacher; and Kimberly Fielden, Intermediate School special education teacher.

• Approved 15 student transfers from the Gentry School District into the Siloam Springs School District.

• Approved five student transfers from the Siloam Springs School District to the Gentry School District.

• Approved the transfer of one student from the Siloam Springs School District to the Fayetteville School District.