ACT scores are still declining, new data shows

2024's graduating class were freshmen during the first full year of COVID-19 learning disruptions, new research explains.

In 2024, it seems we’re still seeing the pandemic’s effects on student academics, new national data suggests.

Average composite ACT scores fell to a five-year low of 19.4 for the 2024 graduating class. That’s just slightly below 2023’s 19.5 average, with the research indicating a steady decline since the 2019-20 school year. Here’s a snapshot:

2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
20.6 20.3 19.8 19.5 19.4

One point to consider is that 2024’s graduating class were freshmen during the first full year of COVID-19 learning disruptions. The percentage of students meeting the STEM benchmark has also declined over the years. In 2020, it was 20%, compared to 15% in 2024.

Across the board, 30% of graduates met three or four of ACT’s benchmarks in English, math, reading and science, while 57% met one or more.

Here’s some additional data from 2024’s ACT data, which you can read more about here:

  • 26% of PreACT test takers who said they didn’t plan to attend college ended up enrolling
  • Among the 35% of graduates who tested multiple times, students improved their ACT Superscore by an average of 2.4 points

More DA coverage

Be sure to check out District Administration’s latest student achievement coverage:

Learning loss: How big are the achievement gaps heading into 2024-25?

While COVID is no longer something superintendents and their teams have to worry too much about, the learning loss caused by the pandemic continues to plague classrooms. What may be most concerning is that some achievement gaps are widening compared to pre-pandemic trends.

After-school STEM is one way to help students dream big

Superintendent Jesus Vaca wanted his elementary and middle school students to aim higher than low-level jobs in Southern California’s agricultural industry. The solution: An after-school STEM program powered by the U.S. Navy that introduces Somis Union School District students to robotics, the engineering side of farming, and other professional skills.

Micah Ward
Micah Wardhttps://districtadministration.com
Micah Ward is a District Administration staff writer. He recently earned his master’s degree in Journalism at the University of Alabama. He spent his time during graduate school working on his master’s thesis. He’s also a self-taught guitarist who loves playing folk-style music.

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