ACT scores increase for GCS students, drop for Hall Co.

GAINESVILLE - While Hall County Schools recorded a slight dip in their ACT scores, Gainesville City Schools saw a slight increase this year.

The city school system reports a composite score 19.3 in 2011 compared to 19.1 in 2010.

Both the Gainesville City and Hall County school systems have shown a drastic increase in the number of students taking the ACT in recent years.

Since 2009, Gainesville City Schools has more than doubled the number of students taking the ACT by offering it to every enrolled junior in high school. Students are encouraged to take the test to use as admission for two or four year colleges or for placement in a two-year college. Every junior is offered the test. Students who qualify for free-reduced lunch are eligible to take the test without charge. The Board of Education has supported the goal of increased participation versus limiting the number of students and posting a higher composite score.

It is expected for the number of students taking the ACT to increase in 2012. Gainesville State College now requires the SAT or ACT for admission, and a large number of GHS and Wood's Mill graduates will apply. The Counseling Department assists every student in application to college through the Georgia 411 Program.

Although a slight dip in scores occurred from 2010 to 2011, overall Hall County Schools students still exceeded the state scores in every category, including the Composite. Furthermore, the HCSD composite (21.2) also exceeded the National Average (21.1) as reported on the DOE website. I

The number of test takers in Hall County rose by over 18% from the previous year (416 compared to 353); the number was up by more than 85% since 2007 (416 compared to 222).

Superintendent Will Schofield said, "In a time of dwindling resources, I applaud our students and staff for increasing participation while continuing to outpace state scores in every content area."