16
Friday, May 5, 1989 / University Daily Kansan
ACT scores predict students' success
by Thom Clark Kansan staff writer
To test an individual's knowledge about the state, the inside flap of the 1989 Iowa road map asks, What were your most difficult seniors rank highest in the nation?"
It is the American College Test, which has an impact on not only the high school students of Iowa, but on all high school students seeking admittance to The University of Kansas as well as other universities in the nation.
The ACT is a mandatory prerequisite for entry into the University, and it is used as an indicator of a student's progress in the course and also as a means of placement.
"To some degree, the higher a student's score on the ACT, the more likely they will do better in school." Of the University Counseling Center.
The ACT is a college admissions test, which computes a student's proficiency in English, mathematics, social science and natural science. It
also provides an overall score, ranging from 5 to 36.
A report issued by the ACT company also correlates a student's score on the test with their high school grade point averages to predict possible grades for various introductory college courses.
"The higher the correlation, the closer the figure is to a 1.0 and the better the predictor of a college GPA." Lichtenberg said.
The correlation index ranges from a positive one to a negative one, with a positive correlation being designator to the higher GPA and a higher ACT score.
Lichtenberg said the most recent report analyzed test scores and high school GPAs from the incoming freshmen of Fall 1986. It predicted the overall grade point average at the University, achieving a correlation of .048 with the overall correlation for the University's Biology 104 course, a .056 for Psychology 104, a .049 for Math 102 and 0.47 for English 101.
I think any good university requires a fairly high level of language sophistication to be able to use language well and not just squeak through.
-- Haskell Springer director of freshman and sophomore English
"There is always a certain amount of variability among the students and their performance on the ACT scores," Lichtenberg said.
Dave Shulenburger, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, said that the success students achieved in college after scoring between 16 and 36 on the ACT varied. However, those who took English or mathematics were more likely to encounter academic problems in the University curriculum.
"What we found was that students with an English ACT score of 15 or higher could get a D or F in English 101 over someone who did better on the ACT."
Shulenburger said.
Sulenburger said that incoming freshmen who scored more than 16 had only a 15 percent chance of passing F in the introductory English class.
Haskell Springer, director of freshman and sophomore English, said that students who scored a 26 or lower on the ACT were directed into English 101. Those incoming freshmen who scored between 27 and 30 on the test are eligible to take English 102 in addition to having the freshman and sophomore English requirement reduced from nine to six hours. Springer said that those who scored a 31 or higher were eligible to go
directly into honors English.
He said that scoring above or below a 15 on the English portion of the ACT was a huge difference.
“At a score of 15 or above, a good, hard-working student can do all right.” Springer said. “However, students with a high probability of no doing well.”
Springer said there was a reasonable connection between the English ACT score and how well a student is in the University's English program.
"I think any good university requires a fairly high level of language sophistication to be able to use English," said Lust interstate stump through. "Springer said."
Shulenburger said that a 15 on the ACT carried similar implications at the mathematics level. He said that those who scored a 15 or lower on the mathematics section of the test had a 50 percent greater probability of receiving a D or F in Math 101 than those who scored higher.
PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T CLIP COUPONS:
PEOPLE WHO NEVER WANT TO SAVE MONEY SAVE WITH KANSAN COUPONS
NATURAL WAY Natural Fiber Clothing For Men & Women 820-822 Mass. 841-0100
Macintosh MARATHON
Finish the semester in first place with Macintosh and the KU Bookstores.
Item:
List Price:
Educational Discount:
Marathon Discount:
• Macintosh Plus
1,799
1,200
949
• Macintosh SE 2/D*
3,169
2,050
1,569
• Macintosh SE 20 MEG.*
3,769
2,450
1,899
• Macintosh SE 40 MEG./ 2 MEG. RAM*
4,369
2,850
2,659
• Macintosh SE 30 1/HDD*
4,368
2,845
2,649
• Macintosh SE 30 40 MEG.*
4,869
3,170
2,959
• Macintosh SE 30 80 MEG./ 4 MEG RAM*
6,569
4,270
3,998
• Macintosh II CPU*
4,869
3,200
2,959
• Macintosh II 40 MEG.*
6,169
4,000
3,749
• Macintosh IIx 80 MEG./ 4 MEG. RAM*
7,869
5,125
4,799
• Standard Keyboard
129
100
85
• Extended Keyboard
299
175
150
*Standard or extended keyboard not included.
Burge Union 864-5697
- Promotional prices good until May 18.
- Offer open only to full-time KU students, staff and faculty.
- Information on financing plans available in 26 Strong Hall
- Payment must be made in one of two ways: cash, or cashier's check. No personal checks or credit cards. Have checks made payable to the KU Bookstores.
- Student Dividends already applied on computer prices.
The savings on Macintoshes have never been this great!
Don't get left in the starting block. Come to the computer store in the Burge Union and let Macintosh make you a winner.