Sidney's class of '15 match state, surpass national averages on ACT

Last year's seniors at Sidney High School topped the national average and tied with their peers throughout Nebraska on scores received on the ACT.

The ACT is a test that measures college readiness, and at most schools, only college-bound students complete the assessment.

At Sidney, however, the ACT is administered to the entire junior class – meaning Sidney's scores are compared with many schools and states where only students planning on pursuing post-secondary education take the test. The latest results are from spring 2014.

Among states that do require 100 percent participation, Sidney still came out on top.

"Our district score is better than every other state score that is 100 percent," District Superintendent Jay Ehler told the school board at a meeting on Monday night.

The ACT scores students in English, mathematics, reading and science – and also includes a composite score.

Sidney students received an average composite score of 21.5 – tied with the state average, despite only 88 percent of Nebraska students completing the ACT. The national average composite score for the class of 2015 was 21.

This is the first time in the four years Sidney has administered the test to 100 percent of its students that the district's score has matched the state average.

In an interview on Tuesday, Ehler said when the district chose to enter a pilot program to test its entire junior class, administrators knew the average score was going to drop.

"We realized our scores were going to go down because we have some non-college bound kids take the test," he explained. "But we thought there might be just a few of those kids that might score higher than what they originally thought and they may take a look at that."

The higher scores could lead them to consider college or other post-secondary options, he added.

The pilot program covers the cost of the tests, and while it was initially scheduled to last for three years, it's been extended.

"More school districts in Nebraska over the past few years have taken it upon themselves to test 100 percent, but when we started doing it, around 70 percent of kids in Nebraska were testing," Ehler said.

Since the district began participating in the ACT pilot program, it had heightened awareness for parents and students about the significance of the assessment for college – and specifically its role in determining possible scholarships.

"College will look at ACT scores more than GPA because to a college, they're comparing apples-to-apples," the superintendent said.

While curriculum and the rigor of classes can vary among schools, the ACT is a standardized measure.

"So it means real dollars – scholarship dollars," Ehler explained.

And if Nebraska ever decides to implement a statewide policy that requires all juniors to complete the ACT – which some states have – Sidney will already be prepared," he added.

Ehler praised the district's achievement on the ACT.

"Kudos to the kids for working so hard, the teachers for teaching college-bound curriculum and to the parents for raising the kids the way they do," he said.

Sidney Principal Chris Arent presented the results to the school board.

"They came out very, very well," he said.

Board member Doug Means applauded the efforts' of students and staff.

"I think it's very commendable, and I think it's great for our students – regardless of plans post-high school," he said. "It's a great thing."