By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Only six percent of Knox County high school seniors who took the ACT last year were ready for college-level coursework in English, algebra, social science and biology, according to data presented to the Knox County Board of Education Tuesday evening.

Though that number sounds low, it’s not terribly far behind the state average of 19 percent.

The estimates were released by the ACT — a non-profit organization that provides the test used by many colleges to determine student admissions — and was based on the company’s established college readiness benchmark scores. According to charts presented to the school board this week, 46 percent of the 180 Knox County seniors who took the ACT last year were categorized as being “ready” for college-level English composition, compared to 68 percent statewide.

In social sciences, 41 percent of Knox students (compared to 53 percent statewide) were considered ready.

But the lowest numbers came in algebra and biology — in both subjects, only 13 percent of Knox students who took the ACT were deemed “college-ready.” That’s compared to 35 percent in algebra and 25 percent in biology who were college-ready state-wide.

Only six percent of local students were deemed college-ready in all four assessment areas.

The “college-ready” determination is based on ACT’s research which indicates that students who reach certain testing benchmarks have a high probability of earning a C grade or higher in first-year college courses.

The average composite ACT score for Knox County students was 18.9 — below the state average of 20.9 and national average of 21.1. A perfect score is 36.

The 2008 numbers reflect little change in Knox students’ scores. This year’s composite score for local students reflected a 0.1 drop from last year’s scores.

Knox County students fell below the state average in each of the ACT’s four testing areas, scoring an average of 17.9 in English (compared to 20.5 state-wide), 17.7 in math (compared to 20.2 state-wide), 20.0 in reading (compared to 21.5 state-wide) and 19.3 in science (compared to 20.7 state-wide.)

School Board Chairman Carla Johnson questioned the low results, noting that these were students who elected to take the ACT test and were likely the “best and brightest” who considered themselves college-bound.

Kentucky schools districts should get a more complete picture of all students’ college readiness in a few weeks. A new state law required all Kentucky juniors to take the ACT last spring, and those results are expected to be released next month.

The ACT results were the most recently released assessment data presented Tuesday evening, but the board also heard the results of the district’s federal No Child Left Behind goals. The district met 12 of 13 mandated goals, but even with coming so close, was classified as failing to meet adequate yearly progress reports.

Superintendent Walter T. Hulett said there were both “bright spots” and “areas of concern” in the results. The NCLB numbers represent an improvement from last year, but still show areas where students are struggling. West Knox Elementary had the lowest scores, meeting 9 of 13 goals in reading and math.

Hulett told board members that the district is addressing these concerns through new, interventive assessment systems. “Thinklink” student assessments will replace three existing learning checks district-wide to help identify where students may be struggling.

In other business, the board also approved a tentative agreement that may deed the sewer lines serving West Knox Elementary and Lynn Camp High School to the Corbin City Utilities Commission.

Currently the school board owns the lines, but an area property owner, John Bill Keck, has expressed interest in tying into the district’s sewer lines. Board members said law would not allow residents tie into the district’s line, but the City Utilities Commission has agreed to accept the line if certain upgrades were made. The board approved deeming the sewer line as surplus property in the event that Keck would pay for the upgrades and the utilities commission would than accept the lines. Board member Sam Watts said the agreement would be a good move for the school since the utilities commission would take over any future upgrades or repairs required for the line.

In other business, the board:

• changed the district’s student accident insurance provider to R.J. Roberts Inc.;

• appointed Board Member Jerry Cox to the local facilities planning committee;

• recognized Rogers Scholars Jessica Baker and Kari Williamson of Knox Central High School;

• recognized 2008 Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Kendra Martin, Wesley Shields and Holly Wilson of Knox Central High School;

• presented Lay Elementary with the 2007-08 attendance award for having 93.67 percent attendance;

• approved various, district-wide staffing changes;

• approved various contracts and agreements, including the purchase of copiers, a contract with Benjamin Morris for occupational therapist services, and pay applications for construction at Boone Elementary, Girdler Elementary and the Lynn Camp field house.