Record Number of Hispanic Students Take ACT Test in 2005

“The fact that more Hispanic students consider college to be part of their future is very good news,” said Richard L. Ferguson, ACT’s chief executive officer and chairman. “But for many students, there’s a disconnect between plans and preparation. Their ACT scores suggest that many will have a hard time in college, or they’ll need remedial help to fill some of the academic skill gaps.”

Hispanic graduates in 2005 earned an average ACT Composite score of 18.6. This is one-tenth of a point higher than last year’s score of 18.5 but significantly lower than the national average score of 20.9.

“Hispanics still fall below the national average, but the increase in their average ACT score this year—even as the number of test-takers expanded—is encouraging,” said Ferguson.

Majority of Hispanic Students Do Not Meet College Readiness Benchmarks
The majority of Hispanic students fail to meet ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks, the scores that indicate the likelihood that a student will succeed (earn a grade of C or higher) in particular first-year courses in college.

Just 48 percent of ACT-tested Hispanic students achieved an 18 or higher on the English Test, indicating they are likely to earn a C or higher in freshman English composition.

Only 33 percent scored 21 (the College Readiness Benchmark) or higher on the ACT Reading Test.

Only 24 percent reached the benchmark of 22 or higher on the ACT Math Test, indicating their readiness for college algebra.

A meager 12 percent scored a 24 or higher on the ACT Science Test, indicating readiness for college biology.

“Students who don’t reach the benchmark scores could still succeed in college with hard work,” said Ferguson. “But it’s likely they’ll have a harder time than students who are better prepared. Many students who don’t reach the College Readiness Benchmarks will need remedial help in at least one subject in college.”

He added, “College readiness is a problem across all racial and ethnic groups in high school, but these math and science scores should be a call to action if Hispanic graduates are going to compete for high-paying jobs that require advanced math and science skills.”

Many Hispanic students plan to pursue college majors that require strong math and science skills, yet most are graduating from high school without these skills. The most common college major choice among Hispanics is health sciences (named by 21 percent). Other majors frequently mentioned include engineering (8 percent), science (4 percent), and computer science (3 percent).

Many Hispanic graduates are not taking the courses in high school that they need to prepare for college. Just more than half (54 percent) reported taking the recommended core curriculum for college-bound students, which includes four years of English and three years each of math (algebra and higher), science, and social studies.