Cullman County and City School students’ ACT scores rose this year, in conjunction with state and national scores, according to a report released this week by the Alabama Department of Education.

This year’s report shows the average composite ACT score for Cullman High School rose from 21.8 in 2006 to 23 this year, while Cullman County Schools’ average composite score rose from 19.9 in 2006 to 20.1 this year. With a rise in the number of test-takers state- and nationwide, state scores rose slightly from 20.2 in 2006 to 20.3 this year.

The ACT is a college entrance exam comprised of four curriculum-based achievement tests on English, math, reading and science. The score range is from 1 to 36, with 36 being the best possible score. Cullman High School Principal Lane Hill said ACT training classes for seniors are one reason test scores rose at CHS. He also credited students’ work ethic, kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and parents for the higher scores.

“It’s a good testament to the type of students, teachers and parents we have,” Hill said. “We have parents and teachers who are committed to education, and to students, and who are doing an excellent job of preparing them for the next level.”

Hill said the workshops implemented two years ago were held five days a week on average, with four days being devoted to preparing for the ACT with an English teacher, a math teacher and a guidance counselor, and one day set aside for college resume building and meeting with representatives of colleges and universities. Seventy-five percent of CHS students are involved in extracurricular activities, so scheduling time during the school day for test preparation gave those students an added advantage, he said.

“Especially those that were trying to get a certain score on their ACT so they could get into that particular college, or get that particular scholarship,” Hill said.

Eighty-six percent of CHS students took the test this year, making the composite average of 23 a more significant achievement, he said. Though CHS test scores have been on the rise in recent years, Hill said a slight drop may occur.

“These scores are going to fluctuate from year to year,” he said. “A lot of that depends on how many students are taking the test.”

The highest ACT score at CHS this year was 35, Hill said. Confidentiality laws prohibit the release of test scores for specific students.

CHS students scored above the state average in all categories of the test with averages of 23.4 on the English portion, compared with 20.3 statewide; 22.4 on math, compared with 19.5 statewide; 22.9 on reading, compared with 20.7 statewide; and 22.6 on science, compared with 20.1 statewide. Cullman County students scored higher than state averages on the math portion of the test, scoring 19.8, compared to a 19.5 state average.

Local county students scored 20.1 on the English portion of the test, compared to 20.3 statewide; 20.2 on reading, compared to 20.7 statewide; and 20 on science, compared to 20.1 statewide.

Nationally, scores rose from 21.1 to 21.2. Alabama’s ACT scores have remained within one point of the national average in all four categories of the test, while the state’s reading score increased a tenth of a percent from 2006.

This year’s ACT scores show 81 percent of CHS students meet college readiness standards in English Composition compared to 67 percent statewide; 54 percent meet college standards for college algebra, compared to 30 percent statewide; 61 percent meet college standards for Social Science compared to 46 percent statewide; 40 percent meet college biology standards, compared 21 percent statewide; and 34 percent meet college standards for all four subjects, compared to 16 percent statewide.

In Cullman County Schools, 69 percent met college standards for English, 29 percent met college standards for math, 42 percent met college standards for reading, 16 percent met college standards for science, and 11 percent met college standards for all four subjects.

State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton said in a press release that Alabama is seeing steady progress in its ACT scores.

“In some cases our scores are surpassing the national average,” he said. “Our participation rates continue to increase, indicating that higher education is a top priority of many Alabama students.”

According to the report, the top ten planned majors chosen by Alabama ACT test takers listed in chronological order are: Health Sciences and Allied Health Fields, Business and Management, Social Sciences, Engineering, Visual and Performing Arts, Sciences, Education, Engineering-Related Technologies, and Teacher Education.

The top five colleges chosen by Alabama ACT test takers listed in chronological order were: Auburn University, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama in Birmingham, Troy University, and Jacksonville State University.