The 2008 ACT College Readiness report, released today, paints a worrisome picture.  Of the 43% of college bound high school graduates who took the test, only 22% received scores indicating they were ready for college level work in all four of the major subject areas.   The ACT defines a student to be college ready if they are likely to earn a “C” or higher in first year courses in English, math, reading, and science.  The average score was virtually unchanged from last year: 21.1 out of a possible 36.

The individual scores on the subject tests were also virtually unchanged:
 Only 53% of students are ready for college level reading.
 Only 43% of students are ready for college level math (algebra).
 Only 28% of students are ready for college level science.
 Only 68% of students are ready for college level English (down one point from last year).

There are a multitude of factors contributing to kids’ inability to read, and do math and science at a proficient level for college success.  High school counselors have reported to me over and over that kids avoid harder courses.  Once a course gets hard, they drop out.  Easy classes might keep a kid’s grade point average up, but these classes don’t have the rigor to prepare a student for college.  High screen time is also an enemy of reading proficiency.  You only get better at reading if you spend time reading.

The character traits for success are at the heart of Say Yes to No.  Kids who have self-discipline, who can attend to a task, who can say no to themselves will be better prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.  These Say Yes to No kids will understand that success, even in school, only comes with concentration and hard work.  If the media values of “More, Easy, Fast and Fun” dominate, then success in school and life will suffer.  How do you think kids can prepare better for life after high school?

Dr. Dave