Jenks Begins the Year with Raised ACT Scores
GREAT SUCCESS: The 2011 graduates of Jenks High School had an average composite score of 23.9, which is far above both state and national averages of 20.7 and 21.1.
Jenks has reason to celebrate the new school year. “The upward trend of Jenks students’ ACT scores is very fulfilling to faculty members across the district. Teachers at the elementary and middle levels work hard to develop the fundamental skills that ultimately result in students achieving high ACT scores. Jenks students, their parents, and teachers at all levels have, once again, shown that cooperative efforts in academics will ultimately result in great successes,” says Dr. Kirby Lehman, superintendent of Jenks Public Schools.
The 2011 graduates of Jenks High School had an average composite score of 23.9, which is far above both state and national averages of 20.7 and 21.1, respectively. The composite ACT score for graduating students at JHS has increased every year for the past five years and has had an upward trend since 1992. “The trend upward, coupled with three consecutive all time high composite scores during the past three years is a testimony to the skills students have acquired and the instructional expertise the District’s teachers have provided to all Jenks students,” according to Dr. Lehman. He went on to say these scores are even more impressive when considering over 80 percent of all graduates at Jenks took the exam, compared to the national average of 49 percent.
The success of these seniors is evidence of the hard work by all students, parents, support staff, teachers and administrators in Jenks Public Schools. Susan Oare, site principal at East Elementary comments, “The ACT scores earned by the students at the high school represent the culmination of 12 years of hard work on the part of the students, support from the families and commitment to success from teachers and school staff. The education of our children begins at home and is nurtured and broadened by every teacher who introduces new concepts and strategies and guides the child through the process of learning. It begins with the very first day of school in prekindergarten and culminates in high school. Every teacher that touched the lives of these young people contributed to their success; and this process continues every day in every classroom from prekindergarten through high school at Jenks Public Schools.”
Mike Means, principal at Jenks High School, has closely watched the ACT scores rise over the past 20 years. He understands the hard work that goes into the curriculum planning and teaching of all involved in preparing students for the exam. He says, “We are very proud of the continued improvement of our ACT scores. This is especially impressive as we have an increased number of students taking the ACT. Our teachers have made a concerted effort to incorporate the ACT objectives into their curriculum. It is evident our students are developing the critical thinking skills necessary to be successful on this test. All this is a tribute to the work being done by teachers throughout the district at all grade levels to prepare our students for rigorous coursework.”
Updated 09-20-2011
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