The Tennessee Department of Education has shared the 2023-24 ACT state results for graduates, noting a slight bump in the overall average score and a near-perfect participation rate. According to the Tennessee Department of Education official release, the statewide average composite ACT score saw an uptick from 19.0 in 2023 to 19.3 in 2024, with a participation rate soaring at 99 percent. The release highlighted the success of the ACT Senior Retake program in Tennessee, which provides public high schoolers the opportunity to retake the ACT during school hours at no extra cost.
Significant gains were seen across various student demographics with Black/Hispanic/Native American students' average scores rising from 16.6 to 16.8 and economically disadvantaged students' scores climbing from 16.3 to 16.6. As per Tennessee Department of Education official website, students with disabilities saw their scores increased from 14.7 to 14.9, evidencing marginal but meaningful progress. Encouraging an upward trajectory, over a third of the graduating students met the ACT benchmark, hitting a score of at least 21—a critical threshold for many post-secondary scholarships and opportunities.
District highlights from the ACT data suggested consistent improvement. Williamson County Schools topped the list with a striking 78.7 percent of students meeting the ACT benchmark, while both Germantown Municipal Schools and Maryville City Schools followed with commendable performances. Specific districts demonstrated impressive year-over-year leaps, with Oneida Special School District recording a 22.6 percentage point increase of students meeting the ACT benchmark and Millington Municipal Schools making a 15.6 percentage point climb.
Encouraging trends carried over to various demographic student groups as well. Tullahoma City Schools saw their Black or African American students' percentage meeting the ACT benchmark rising by 18.5 percentage points. Hickman County Schools witnessed their economically disadvantaged students improving by 15.4 percentage points, and Oak Ridge Schools' Hispanic students showed an 18.7 percentage point surge. These figures all stand testament to the strides being made to support students from traditionally underserved communities on their paths to academic readiness and success.
The importance of the ACT and SAT as indicators of college and career readiness cannot be understated within the Tennessee accountability systems. Scoring a 21 on the ACT or achieving a 1060 on the SAT reflects one of the four pathways that recognize students' preparedness for postsecondary education or careers after graduating high school. Such metrics hold a significant place in the broader narrative of educational development and the pursuit of higher learning access for all students in the region.
