ACT scores are in.
Georgia’s class of 2022 recorded a mean score of 1052, 24 points higher than the 1028 national score but lower compared to the previous year, when Georgia students posted a mean score of 1077.
The Georgia group also scored higher in the component portions of the test, with a mean score of 536 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing portion and 516 in math.
The high marks came despite the disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic, which caused many schools to close and switch to online instruction.
“That’s a testament to the hard work of students and teachers,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “While students and school have faced significant challenges over the last several years, as a state we will continue to invest in academic recovery and the opportunities available to every graduate of every Georgia public school.”
Participation in the SAT among the Georgia class of 2022 increased sharply compared to 2021, when the impacts of the pandemic, the cancellation of some test registrations, and the closure of some test centers in 2020 caused fewer students in the graduating class to take the test.
Just more than half of the 2022 class took the SAT, up from 38% in 2021.
MORE: SAT scores show gains and losses in area schools
Georgia high school students haven’t been as incentivized to take the test as in past years. Citing the effects of the pandemic on learning, the University System of Georgia waived SAT and ACT test requirements at most of the system’s 26 institutions during the last school year and is doing so again this year.
According to a press release from Richmond County School System, the county reported ACT Scores for the Class of 2022 with the system average ACT Composite Score of 18.4.
ACT Scores decreased 1.3 points from 2020-2021 when fewer students took the ACT due to college waivers and other factors during the pandemic; while the class of 2022 ACT Scores increased 0.7 points over 2019-2020.
“We use data to help us understand where our students are and what they need to support and advance their learning,” said Kenneth Bradshaw, Superintendent of Richmond County School System. “The pandemic impacted some of the achievement gains our students were making, and we are committed to continue working with our families and the community to provide students the resources and instruction they need to be college and career ready upon their graduation.”
A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School and the Academy of Richmond County had the highest ACT scores of the county and were above the system average by at least a whole point – however, even the two highest scores were below the state average of 22.6 points for the 2020-2021 school year.
Columbia County’s School District reported average ACT scores that continue to exceed state and national averages for the 2021-2022 school year.
In an email from Columbia County, the school district claims to see an increase in the number of test takers, totaling just above 500, over the previous year.
These test takers have earned a composite mean score of 22.9, above both the state average of 21.6 and the national average of 19.8.
Greenbrier High displayed an especial increase in their overall composite scores on top of improvements in Reading, Science and STEM compared to last year. Harlem High also showed score improvements in Writing and English Language Arts.
MORE: Georgia high-school graduation rate up in 2022 – again
“The ACT is a gauge for college preparedness, and overall, the students of the Columbia County School District continue to return strong results on not only readiness, but also aptitude exams,” said Superintendent Steve Flynt. “In the coming days and weeks, we look forward to breaking these scores down to identify areas of strength, and expanding efforts into areas of possible improvement. Overall, we are extremely proud of the hard work of our students and staff.”
Meanwhile, South Carolina has a state mean composite score of 20.3 for 2021; however, Aiken County had a mean score of 17.4 for 2021 – almost three points below the state average.
With approximately 1061 test takers, Aiken saw an increase in test takers from the 2019-2020 school year by almost 100 students.
Aiken High School and North Augusta High School tied for the highest mean composite score of 19.1 in their county, while Ridge Spring-Monetta High School had the lowest mean score of 13.7.
Capitol Beat New Service reports were used in this story.
