OLYMPIA, Wash. — The college board has released results from the 2023 ACT high school assessment, showing Washington students performed in the top 15 states.
From the class of 2023, 78% of Washington test takers met the college preparedness benchmark in English, 71% met the benchmark in math, 61% in reading and 61% in science.
With every Washington test-takers exam score, 50% of them met the college preparedness benchmark in all four areas.
“From the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to ACT scores, we consistently see Washington’s students outperforming the nation when similar groups of students are assessed,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “While we have important progress to make following the pandemic, learning recovery and acceleration is taking place every day in our schools with the leadership and hard work of our teachers, paraeducators, counselors, principals, and other school staff under the guidance of locally elected school boards.”
ACT scores and participation vary by state. In Washington the ACT is not required for graduation or admission to college. About 6% of students in the class of 2023 took the test.
The ACT test is intended to measure whether a student is “fully prepared” for college and university level learning by assessing students’ English, math, reading and science skills.
Washington’s public K–12 education system has continued to offer advanced courses and college-level learning to high school students. Last school year, 72% of Washington’s high school graduates had already completed a college-level course upon their high school graduation.
