Students in Austin °¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ continued to earn a higher overall score on the ACT exam, compared with their counterparts across the state and nation, according to ACT, Inc.
"We are so proud of our students, who continue to excel on the ACT, and our staff for all the hard work they put in each and every day," Superintendent Paul Cruz said. "These scores are a testament that we are moving the mark on making our students college- and career-ready."
The average ACT composite score for A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ students was 22.2 and an all-time high for the district. A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ's average ACT composite score exceeded the state average of 20.9 and national average of 21. Over the past five years, average composite scores for A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ students increased, while national and state average composite scores remained stable.
"We're glad we're continuing to see a return on our investment for college test preparation, which is given to all sophomores and juniors," Chief Officer of Teaching and Learning Edmund Oropez said. "We also encourage our students and parents to take advantage of the free resources available to them online."
Figure 1. A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ, State, and National Average ACT Composite Scores, 2005-2015

Source. 2015 ACT District Profile Report
A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ had greater percentages of students who were college-ready, compared with percentages at the state and national levels, in math, reading and science and across all four subjects. In A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ and across the nation, 64 percent of students were college-ready in English. The percentage of A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ students who were college-ready increased from the prior year in reading, science, and across all four tests.
Figure. Percentages of College-Ready Students at the District, State, and National Levels

Source. 2015 ACT District Profile Report
Over the past five years, the average A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ ACT composite score and subject area scores in English, math, reading and science increased for all student groups. A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ students from every race/ethnicity category also had greater average composite scores on the ACT, compared with their peers at the state level.
Figure. Average ACT Composite Scores in 2015, by Student Groups

A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ's ACT average subject area scores in English, math, reading and science also exceeded state and national scores.
A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ students' participation in ACT testing continued to increase in 2015, compared with participation in prior years.
###
A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ is the fifth-largest school district in Texas, serving approximately 85,000 students at 129 schools. Follow A°¼Í¹ÊÓÆµ on Twitter at or on Facebook at