Olentangy Local Schools has once again received excellent news regarding student academic achievement. The College Board recently informed the district that both the participation rates and various scores for Advanced Placement courses have increased. Also, recent ACT data indicates high-level achievement scores and increased participation rates.
“Giving our students the best foundation for college is an essential component of what we do at Olentangy – providing the best educational opportunity for our students,” said Olentangy Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D. “The ACT scores and AP participation levels emphasize the efforts of our students and staff. This is an excellent indicator that we are moving in the right direction.”
According to College Board, more than 58 percent of Olentangy juniors and seniors took one or more Advanced Placement course during the 2009-10 school year, and more than 75 percent of those students earned a score of three or higher on those exams.
In addition, the ACT scores for the class of 2010 have again increased, this time reaching an all-time high composite score of 24.5. Over the past five years, Olentangy’s ACT composite score has increased an entire point, up from a 23.5 in 2006. During that same time period, the state average increased by 0.3 to 21.8 for 2010.
Each of the district’s individual ACT section scores for English, mathematics, reading and science have also increased and are above the state average. For instance, Olentangy’s 2006 English score was 23.4 and the state average was 20.8. The Olentangy class of 2010 achieved a 24.2 average in English and the state average moved to 21.2. A complete listing of the scores for Olentangy and the state average for 2006 and 2010 is included below.
| Graduation Year | English | Mathematics | Reading | Science | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olentangy 2006 | 23.4 | 23.1 | 23.6 | 23.3 | 23.5 |
| State 2006 | 20.8 | 21.3 | 21.9 | 21.5 | 21.5 |
| Olentangy 2010 | 24.2 | 24.4 | 24.5 | 24.2 | 24.5 |
| State 2010 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 24.5 | 22.1 | 21.8 |
Olentangy’s ACT results also indicate that more of the students taking the test are well prepared for college-level coursework. This is measured through ACT’s college-readiness benchmark scores for designated college courses. ACT projects that students who meet or exceed the benchmark score for a section of the ACT have a 75 percent chance of earning a C or better in a correlated college-level class. For instance if a student achieves a score of 18 or better on the ACT English test, then that same student is likely to do well in a credit-bearing college English Composition course. ACT’s college-readiness benchmarks and correlated college courses are listed below.
| ACT Section | College-Readiness Benchmark |
Correlated College Course |
|---|---|---|
| English | 18 | English Composition |
| Mathematics | 22 | Algebra |
| Reading | 21 | Social Science |
| Science | 24 | Biology |
The percentage of Olentangy students meeting the college-readiness benchmarks in all four areas increased from 41 percent in 2009 to 48 percent in 2010. In addition, Olentangy’s percentage in each of the four areas is higher than the state average and either the same as or higher than the district’s 2009 results. The percentage of Olentangy students meeting or exceeding the benchmarks in the last two years is listed below along with the statewide averages for 2010.
| English Benchmark | Math Benchmark | Reading Benchmark | Science Benchmark | All Benchmarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olentangy 2010 | 88% | 73% | 73% | 55% | 48% |
| State 2010 | 72% | 48% | 58% | 34% | 28% |
| Olentangy 2009 | 85% | 66% | 73% | 47% | 41% |
In addition, more Olentangy students are also taking the ACT exam. In 2006, Olentangy had 362 seniors take the ACT as compared to the 671 who took the exam in 2010.
Director of Data, Research and Accountability Tom Fry will provide the board with a complete update of the district’s CIP benchmark data later this fall.