Dorn Congratulates Class of 2012 on ACT Results
Washington students finished with the nation’s fifth highest average composite score

OLYMPIA (August 22, 2012)—Washington 12th graders have again outscored the national average on the ACT exam in the 2011‒12 school year, according to numbers released by ACT today.

Washington’s average composite score was 22.9, which was the nation’s fifth highest, behind students in Massachusetts (24.1), Connecticut and New Hampshire (23.8), Maine and New Jersey (23.4) and New York (23.3) and tied with Rhode Island. 

A “composite score” consists of four content areas: English, reading, math and science. Scores are scaled from 1 (lowest) to 36 (highest). This year’s national average composite score was 21.1.

Just over 21 percent of Washington 12th graders (13,929) took the ACT in the 2011‒12 school year, a record for ACT participation in this state. 

“Our scores and participation rate on national assessments continue to rise,” State Superintendent Randy Dorn said. “The students who take these tests are planning for their future and performing at a high level.”

For more information

• The ACT
• List of ACT scores by state, 1994‒2012
• Using the ACT as an alternative means to Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA)
• Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

About OSPI
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State School Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at (360) 725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.

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Kristen Jaudon
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