A Misleading Headline?

The Sun Post had an interesting headline in the August 25 edition;

ACT scores increase in Robbinsdale Dist. 281

However, the article doesn’t mention higher scores;

The percentage of high school students in Robbinsdale District 281 taking what the ACT labels as “core classes” increased from 83 percent in 2010 to 88 percent in 2011. In addition, the schools have increased participation in college preparation programs such as Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) and Admission Possible. Both programs support students who are determined to get to college. The ACT is a series of tests designed to specifically measure a student’s proficiency in skills needed for academic success in the first year of college. ACT has established benchmark scores, which is a minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area test to indicate a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher in college courses.

So did the percentage of students taking the ACT increase or did our scores increase?  We think there is a difference.  Now on a good note;

Both the 2011 District 281 and state composite scores remained the same as 2010, well above the national composite score of 21.1. Robbinsdale Area Schools’ composite score was 22.6.

So the headline of the article is that our ACT scores increases but here they say scores remained the same as 2010!  We’re also not sure a score of 21 out of a possible 36 is a great average but at least Robbinsdale is above that.

“Both high schools are working hard to increase participation in rigorous coursework because we know that rigorous coursework in high school leads to further success down the road,” Supt. Aldo Sicoli said. “We are excited to see that more students are participating in rigorous coursework, our ACT scores remain high, and our students are leaving our high schools with tools they need to excel in life.” The ACT is the primary college entrance exam taken by Minnesota students. In addition to being a predictor of academic success in the first year of college. The achievement test covers English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. It also has a writing test, which is optional.

Misleading headline anyone?