Gatton Academy Students Shine in State ACT Scores

Students at Western Kentucky University’s Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky made significant gains on the state-required American College Test (ACT).

As mandated by state law, all of Kentucky’s public school juniors participate in the ACT, which assesses English, reading, mathematics and science and is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. This is the second year the test has been required for juniors.

On Monday, the Kentucky Department of Education announced the results of the March 2009 ACT for all public schools. Gatton Academy students outpaced their peers, receiving an average composite score of 29.9 out of 36 possible points on the exam — a score 11.7 points ahead of the statewide average.

View Full Results of the March 2009 ACT by District

In the individual subjects, Gatton Academy students scored an average of 29.9 in English, 30.4 in mathematics, 30.3 in reading and 29.0 in science.

Academy administrators were pleased with the improvement in scores between the 2008 and 2009 tests. The average composite score increased by 1.6 points, while the average math score increased by 1.8 points.

Corey Alderdice, assistant director for admissions and public relations, said the increase hints at the growing quality of students studying at the Gatton Academy.

“We are pleased that students are increasingly looking at the Gatton Academy as a place not only to challenge themselves but also learn alongside some of their most gifted and motivated peers from across Kentucky,” Alderdice said. “This test is, in many ways, the midpoint of their experiences during their two years at the Academy. We look forward to the great accomplishments of these students in their senior year and as they become future leaders for the commonwealth.”

The exceptional scores come as no surprise to Tim Gott, director of the Gatton Academy.

“When a program draws from many of the state’s most outstanding students, there is the expectation that their scores will be equally impressive,” Gott said. “This is a strong reflection of the caliber of gifted students from across Kentucky and their educational experiences to this point.”

Alderdice added that Gatton Academy students showed strength not only in math but across the English and critical reasoning sections of the exam as well.

“Because the emphasis of the Gatton Academy is math and science, many individuals are surprised to learn our students are equally outstanding in the classroom in subjects across the academic spectrum,” Alderdice said.

“Though these students intend to pursue advanced careers that require substantial study in math and science, we are pleased to know these students are growing as problem-solvers and critical thinkers, skills that are crucial to a 21st century economy.”

Statewide, the 43,511 public school juniors taking the exam received an average composite score of 18.2. In the individual subjects, students scored an average of 17.3 in English, 18.2 in mathematics, 18.4 in reading, and 18.5 in science.

Gott is quick to share the success of Gatton Academy students on the test with their local sending districts. Students’ scores are included in the average of their local school on this and other required assessments, an important component in the shared relationship between the program and high schools from across the state.

“We hope to be viewed as an extension of every school and district in the state,” Gott said. “We are excited that districts are partnering with us to provide appropriate challenges while helping students grow academically and socially.”

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For information, contact Corey Alderdice at 270.745.6565.