Marion High School tackles challenge of improving ACT scores
A recent report issued by ACT, Inc. revealed Marion High School students scored slightly lower than the state average last year for students taking the ACT college admissions examination, although scores were above national averages.
MHS Principal Ken Arnhold viewed the report as incentive for the school to continue to refine its overall efforts at improving student academic achievement.
"My philosophy is not to shoot the messenger, or shoot from the hip," Arnhold explained. "We have to take ownership of test scores, and make the best determinations for the students we have."
One challenge MHS students face when taking the ACT is that the multiple-choice format of the test differs significantly from the types of educational assessment routinely used at MHS.
"There is a disconnect between our educational assessment and the ACT testing style," Arnhold noted. "There's no short answer, no fill-in-the-blank, no essay section, all of which we use."
Arnhold emphasized the types of assessment used at MHS are the most meaningful for gauging students' actual learning, but acknowledged the ACT format is the most practical for a national testing program.
With that in mind, Arnhold said one strategy for improving ACT scores will be to better acquaint students with that style of assessment.
"Getting students familiar with the type of test they will be taking is important," Arnhold said.
The school will be purchasing the ACT Prep software program from ACT, which provides practice tests, content review for math, science, English, and reading, and individualized assessment and study plans.
"A student will have access to it not only at school but at home," Arnhold said, as he described how ACT Prep will be available by Internet, as well as at school.
Arnhold said the school also will implement small-group review sessions in early spring, likely during the period between winter and spring sports.
Utilizing the combined resources of the five school districts involved in the TEEN distance learning initiative is another avenue Arnhold is exploring to enhance student preparedness.
"We will probably discuss it at the principals' meeting in December," he said.
Arnhold emphasized student scores on the ACT should benefit as well from the ongoing efforts MHS is making to improve overall student achievement.
One such area is the possible implementation of honors classes.
"A class traditionally moves only as fast as the slowest learner in the class," Arnhold noted.
"Why not have an honors class that will do a little more writing, a little more reading, but move faster and prepare students better for postsecondary education?" he asked.
Whatever steps are taken to improve student achievement, Arnhold emphasized merely reaching state average scores is, in his eyes, too low a goal in the long term.
"We need to set the bar for the rest of the state here at Marion High School," he declared.
