For the first time in 30 years, high school students taking the ACT college admissions test had an average score below 20...
And 42-percent of high school juniors tested met none of the subject benchmarks in English, reading, science and math. Which are indicators of how well students are expected to perform in college courses -- according to a study published in the associated press.
School systems say it's another indicator of how the pandemic disrupted students learning.
One local high school wants to turn the numbers around. So today, they started a 5-week ACT boot camp program for all their juniors, to boost scores and help their students get into college and get scholarships.
"I want to boost my act score to open up more scholarship opportunities to get into a good school," said Foley student Emma Korhonen.
It's a goal not just for Emma, but every other 11th grade student here at foley high school.
Valencia bell is the founder of S.C.H.O.O.L.S -- which stands for success can help out of low scores.
For the next five weeks, she says these students will study hard preparing for the ACT.
Bell says by test time in February, each student should see a score increase of 5 to 10 points.
Foley high school's ACT boot camp is being funded by Alabama Representative Frances Holk-Jones, along with the City of Foley and the members of the educational advisory committee.
The school system is also working with middle school students, so by the time they reach high school, they've already reached benchmark levels.