1. ACT Course Recommendations For the High School Student THE ACT CORE

2. WHAT IS THE ACT CORE? ACT research has shown that it is the rigor of coursework—rather than simply the number of courses—that has the greatest impact on ACT performance and college readiness.

3. WHAT IS THE ACT CORE? Mathematics Students who take a minimum of Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II typically achieve a higher ACT math score than students who take less than three years of math. Students who take more advanced math classes substantially increase their ACT math score.

4. WHAT IS THE ACT CORE? Science Students taking biology and chemistry in combination with physics typically achieve higher ACT science scores than students taking less than three years of science courses.

5. WHAT IS THE ACT CORE? English / Reading Students taking four years of English typically achieve higher ACT English scores. Students taking more than four credits of English in high school substantially increase their ACT English score. Students taking four or more credits of social science typically achieve higher ACT reading scores.

6. THE ACT CORE (IN SHORT) Math Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II Science Physical science, Biology, Chemistry

7. THE CORE (IN SHORT) English English I, English II, 3 rd year of English (English III or American Lit and Comp), 4 th year of English (English 110/214, AP American Lit and Comp, College Prep English) Social Science World History, American History, Government

8. ACT considers ‘the core’ the minimum standard and highly recommends students take courses above and beyond the core.

9. In all of these subject areas, the more rigorous the class, the more likely a student is to learn and that should translate into a higher ACT score.

10. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS In analyzing our scores, we believe that ACT is correct in its recommendations…

11. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS Math Scores--20132014 Courses takenScoreScore Alg I, II, Geo, Trig & Calc26.424.6 Alg I, II, Geo, Trig & Adv. 23.224.4 Alg I, II, Geo & Trig22.722.2 Alg I, II, Geo & other math20.019.3 Alg I, II & Geo (the core)18.0*18.6*

12. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS Science Scores—20132014 Courses takenScoreScore Phy, Bio, Chem & Physics24.223.4 Phy, Bio, Chem (the core)22.3*21.8* Less than 3 years of science20.020.6

13. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS English Scores—20132014 Courses takenScoreScore 4+ credits in English23.922.4 4 credits in English (the core)21.9*22.1* Less than 4 years of English17.019.8

14. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS Reading Scores--20132014 Courses takenScoreScore World, US, Gov & other23.925.5 Other combos of 4 23.722.9 World, US & Gov (the core)21.3*20.8* Less than 3 years of history14.722.2

15. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS Math Scores-- Courses taken% College Ready 20132014 Alg I, II, Geo, Trig & Calc71%67% Alg I, II, Geo, Trig & Adv. 70%80% Alg I, II, Geo & Trig69%67% Alg I, II, Geo & other math34%29% Alg I, II & Geo (the core)11%*17%

16. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS Science Scores— Courses taken% College Ready 20132014 Phy, Bio, Chem & Physics68%60% Phy, Bio, Chem (the core)45%*44% Less than 3 years of science34%35%

17. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS English Scores— Courses taken% College Ready 20132014 4+ credits in English89%75% 4 credits in English (the core)79%*78% Less than 4 years of English67%80%

18. WHAT WE SEE AT RPHS Reading Scores-- Courses taken% College Ready 20132014 World, US, Gov & other63%55% Other combos of 4 59%59% World, US & Gov (the core)44%*34% Less than 3 years of history33%60%

19. ? Questions?