By AMBER DILLEY
GLASGOW — ACT scores for the Class of 2009 are in and both Barren County and Glasgow schools are pleased with the results, which are on par with the state’s average scores.
Glasgow High School’s Class of 2009 scored an 18.9 composite out of a possible 36, with an 18.4 in math; 19.4 in reading; 17.8 in English; and 19.2 in science.
Glasgow Independent School District Superintendent Kathy Goff said in an e-mail the district is proud of their students.
“Since this was the first year to test all juniors, there is no data to compare it to except for the state averages,” Goff wrote. “Glasgow High School did not have any special classes last year to prepare the students for this test. This year, we are working with the sophomores and juniors with some special ACT preparation course work. We expect our scores to be even higher next year.”
Barren County’s Class of 2009 scored a composite of 18, with a 17.8 in reading; 18 in math; 17.2 in English and 18.7 in science.
Benny Lile, director of instruction for the Barren County School District, said he thinks it’s a good score.
“We really didn’t know what to expect because it’s the first time doing this,” Lile said, referring to the fact that last year all juniors in the state were required to take the ACT. “Taking into account that obviously that (group) is one level below what normally takes the ACT, and it’s the entire class, we believe it’s a solid score.”
Lile said the ACT scores have increased the confidence of the students taking it.
“The high school has shared with me that they’ve already had kids who did better than they thought they would (who are) now looking at post-secondary schooling, when before they weren’t thinking of that.”
The state paid for the tests to be given to last year’s juniors, at a cost of $1.4 million, according to Lisa Gross, spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Education.
Lile said when it was learned a few years ago that juniors would be required to take the ACT, the district started planning for the cost of the test.
Overall, the state’s Class of 2009 got a composite score of 18.3, with an 18.5 in reading; 18.1 in math; 17.3 in English; and 18.7 in science.
