High school students’ scores on the ACT college admissions test have dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student preparedness for college-level coursework, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.

High school students’ scores on the ACT college admissions test have dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student preparedness for college-level coursework, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.

Scores have been falling for six consecutive years, but the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students in the class of 2023 whose scores were reported Wednesday were in their first year of high school when the virus reached the U.S.

“The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career,” said Janet Godwin, chief executive officer for the nonprofit ACT.

The average ACT composite score for U.S. students was 19.5 out of 36. Last year, the average score was 19.8.

  • iforgotmyinstance@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1126·
    9 months ago

    When I say Gen Z and newer are fucking stupid, I mean it. Many have very low media literacy, don’t understand how to use a desktop computer and are wholly absorbed with social media.

    It isn’t really their fault though. Education salaries have dried up in the public sector over the last 20 years. I had typing classes, various computer literacy classes and higher maths available to me prior to high school. Somehow these programs have changed or evaporated while band and sports programs continue to swell.

    • atetulo@lemm.ee
      53·
      9 months ago

      Many have very low media literacy, don’t understand how to use a desktop computer and are wholly absorbed with social media.

      “Many don’t know how to use an abacus and are wholly absorbed by television!”

      • speff@disc.0x-ia.moe
        42·
        9 months ago

        Yea, it’s the same old complaint as every generation. Not like there’s evidence of actual mental decline like… oh wait…

        Scores have been falling for six consecutive years, but the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students in the class of 2023 whose scores were reported Wednesday were in their first year of high school when the virus reached the U.S.

    • JokeDeity@lemm.ee
      76·
      9 months ago

      And yet the dumbest shit I hear on a consistent basis comes from boomers. Maybe you’re just surrounded by dumb kids? Maybe you’re just too dumb to get what they’re into and talking about? Kids these days are insanely smart, but not skilled. Maybe that’s what you were trying to express? Most of the kids I know are really intelligent and advanced for their age, and definitely so for the same comparable ages when I was a kid.

    • ANGRY_MAPLE@sh.itjust.works
      21·
      9 months ago

      I’d argue that anyone who was happy to make education worse for future generations was “fucking stupid”. They cut their nose off to spite their face, so to speak.

      Why would someone want doctors, surgeons, scientists, and everyone in every other skilled profession to have less of an education? What part of that isn’t “fucking stupid”? Too many people don’t think about the long term consequences. What’s going to happen when the older generations retire?

      I hope that you’re trying to stop education cuts, otherwise you’re a part of the problem that you’re talking about.