1. Stipends for ACT College Ready Scores Director, Secondary Programs
Edith Pickens
Director, Secondary Programs
November 21, 2013

2. Stipends for ACT College Ready Scores
What: Stipend for students who meet or exceed ACT benchmark scores
Who: All HCS juniors taking the ACT
When: Spring, 2014
Why: To foster student investment in the ACT assessment

3. Background 
Most Colleges & Universities require ACT or SAT to apply for admission and for scholarships.
College scholarship applications are generally accepted in fall of the students’ senior year. Organizational scholarship applications are accepted at various times throughout the senior year.
Taking ACT in spring of the junior year provides students with additional opportunities to improve their score before submitting their college and scholarship applications.
In Spring 2013, only 236 (15%) of HCS high school juniors took the ACT.

4. Share of High School Juniors Taking the ACT In 2012-13
Percent of Juniors Taking the ACT in 2013
High School

5. Cumulative Distribution of Math ACT Scores by High School
Butler
Lee
Johnson
Columbia
HHS
NCTHS
Corresponding Credit Bearing College Freshman Course: College Algebra
Grissom
Math Benchmark Score
ACT Score

6. Cumulative Distribution of English ACT Scores by High School
Lee
HHS
Grissom
NCTHS
Johnson
Columbia
Corresponding Credit Bearing College
Freshman Course: English Composition
Butler
English Benchmark Score
ACT Score

7. Cumulative Distribution of Reading ACT Scores by High School
Butler
Lee
NCTHS
HHS
Columbia
Corresponding Credit Bearing College
Freshman Course: Social Sciences
Johnson
Grissom
Reading Benchmark Score
ACT Score

8. Cumulative Distribution of Science ACT Scores by High School
Corresponding Credit Bearing College
Freshman Course: Biology
Lee
NCTHS
Butler
HHS
Columbia
Johnson
Grissom
Science Benchmark Score
ACT Score

9. Cumulative Distribution of Composite ACT Scores by High School
Butler
NCTHS
Lee
HHS
Johnson
Columbia
Grissom
25th Percentile Score
for Auburn University
75th Percentile Score for
University of Alabama & Auburn University
25th Percentile Score for
University of Alabama
ACT Score

10. Purpose of the Proposed Stipend
Meeting or exceeding ACT benchmarks is a key predictor of whether a student will succeed during their first year in college.
Students who meet the benchmarks are likely to achieve a “C” or better in similar courses their Freshman year.
These students are less likely to require remediation in college.
HCS goal is to encourage all students to take a personal interest in doing well on the ACT.
By announcing the opportunity for the ACT stipend now, students will have adequate time to prepare for spring tests.
Stipend will be awarded to students meeting/exceeding ACT benchmarks.

11. Proposed Stipend 
Starting with Spring 2014 (April 23, 2014), ALL HCS juniors will take the ACT.
The ALSDE will cover the cost of the April, 2014 ACT for juniors.
This will provide students who otherwise might not have applied with a chance to pursue college or technical programs.
Retakes will be the responsibility of the student.
Proposed Stipend is $50 per subject benchmark (English, math, reading, science).
Additional $100 stipend provided for meeting/exceeding the composite benchmark.
Scores projected to be posted online April 28, 2014 – June 6, 2014.
Students will receive their stipend checks in the fall of their senior year.

12. Projected Cost based on 2013 ACT
Based on 2013 ACT scores and 1587 eligible juniors who will take the test, the following costs are projected:
Math
English
Reading
Science
Composite
Total
2013 Met Benchmark
48.31%
74.58%
55.51%
36.44%
35.17%
Max (100% students meet benchmarks)
$79,350
$158,700
$476,100
Min (Same percent meet benchmarks as in 2013)
$38,334
$59,179
$44,047
$28,915
$55,815
$226,290
Budget: Probable (Midpoint between Max/Min)
$58,842
$69,265 *
$61,699
$54,133
$107,258
$351,195
* Includes Rounding

13. Projected Cost based on 2012 PLAN
Based on 2012 PLAN scores and 1587 eligible juniors who will take the test, the following costs are projected:
Math
English
Reading
Science
Composite
Total
2013 Met Benchmark
29%
66%
45%
23%
43%
Max (100% students meet benchmarks)
$79,350
$158,700
$476,100
Min (Same percent meet benchmarks as in 2013)
$23,012
$52,371
$35,708
$18,251
$68,241
$197,583
Budget: Probable (Midpoint between Max/Min)
$51,181
$65,861 *
$57,529
$48,801
$113,471
$336,842
* Includes Rounding