La. ACT scores continue to rise at national pace

Louisiana’s average composite ACT score increased by one-tenth of a point, from 20.1 in 2010 to 20.2 in 2011, keeping pace with the national increase, the state Department of Education says. Louisiana’s average composite ACT score still trails the national composite score of 21.1 but the state’s growth over the last 10 years has outpaced national growth, the state says, citing a report released today by ACT Inc., which administers the college entrance test. Four groups of minority students in the state scored better than their national counterparts. The average ACT composite score for black students in Louisiana is 17.5, compared to 17 nationally. Louisiana’s American-Indian students earned an average composite score of 19.2, compared to 18.6 nationally. Louisiana’s Hispanic students’ average composite was 20.4, compared to 18.7 nationally. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in Louisiana scored 20.2, compared to 19.5 nationally.