While national mean scores for college-bound seniors remained generally flat in 2009, Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students scored higher on all four ACT tests (English, Mathematics, Reading and Science). The district’s average composite score rose by two tenths from 2008 to reach 25.1, compared to the state average of 22.8 (down .3), and the national average of 21.1, the same as 2008. At the same time, the number of LWSD students taking the test continued to increase, rising from 393 in 2008 to 403 in 2009.

Average scores for LWSD students rose one tenth of a point on both Reading and Science, to 25.4 in Reading and 24.4 in Science. State scores in those two areas averaged 23.5 in Reading and 22.1 in Science. National scores averaged 21.4 in Reading and 20.9 in Science. Reading scores nationally remained flat while Science score rose one tenth of a point.

Math scores showed a larger gain, from a 24.8 average in 2008 to 25.3 in 2009. That score compares to 22.9 in 2009 for the state average (down .3 from 2008) and a national average of 21.0.

LWSD scores in English also rose, from 24.6 in 2008 to 24.9 in 2009. State scores actually dropped on average, from 22.7 to 22.4. The national average remained flat at 20.6.

In addition, the percentage of LWSD students taking the ACT who met the college readiness benchmarks increased in math, reading and science while remaining the same in English.

The ACT College Readiness Benchmark Scores are the minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area test to indicate a 50 percent chance of getting a B or better or about a 75 percent chance of getting a C or better in the college course that corresponds to that subject.

The greatest gain came in math, where 78 percent of district ACT test-takers met the college-readiness benchmark, compared to 58 percent statewide. That level is up five percent from last year for district students.

Seventy-seven percent of district students met the college-readiness benchmark in reading, up four percent from last year. That compares to 66 percent statewide.

Fifty-nine percent of district students met the science benchmark, up three percent from last year, and compared to 38 percent statewide.

English scores remained the same, as 92 percent of LWSD students met the benchmark, while 77 percent met the standard statewide. Just over half of district students who took the ACT, 51 percent, met all four college-readiness benchmarks, compared to one-third statewide.