Wisconsin Students Again Score No. 1 on the ACT

Wisconsin students accomplished the academic equivalent of winning the Super Bowl seven years in a row by once again topping the nation on the ACT college entrance exam this year.

Wisconsin high school students have now placed first on the ACT for seven consecutive years.

“If Wisconsin were a sports team, this achievement would be headlines every day,” WEAC President Terry Craney said. “This accomplishment is a tribute to teachers, school personnel, students, families and communities throughout the state.”

Craney said the results are more evidence that Wisconsin public schools are succeeding in preparing children for life and jobs of the future.

“There is always room for improvement, but news like this shows that overall, Wisconsin public schools are great schools.”

He noted that even though more students are taking the test, Wisconsin scores remain high. Last year, 66% of Wisconsin’s graduating class took the ACT; that figure is 67% this year.

Craney warned that Wisconsin’s top ranking is endangered by state-imposed revenue controls.

“So far, schools have been able to keep the quality of education high, even though they have been forced to make severe cuts in programs and services,” he said. “The day will soon come when there is nowhere to make more reductions and our number-one education system will begin to falter, unless revenue controls are changed. That would be a tragedy for the children of Wisconsin and the entire state.”

Note: Wisconsin ranked number one among the 26 states where 40% or more of the graduating seniors took the ACT.

Posted August 17, 1999