Research shows link between Nebraska public school ACT scores and higher education

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS) released new research today, a comprehensive examination of ACT and College Going in Nebraska.

This research reveals a critical link between the ACT scores of Nebraska public students and the decision to pursue higher education. The ACT, renowned for its assessment of academic preparedness for college, serves as Nebraska’s eleventh grade statewide assessment.

This analysis explores the impact of ACT performance on educational pathways among graduating seniors from Nebraska’s public high schools. The choices made by these students, informed by their ACT scores, not only shape their personal futures but also hold implications for educational strategies, workforce development, and policymaking within the state.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

·  Higher ACT scores for public students generally correlate with a higher likelihood of attending college.

·  ACT scores have a significant impact on the type of college public students choose to attend (two-year or four-year colleges, public or private institutions).

·  The higher the ACT score, the more likely Nebraska public students are to consider out-of-state postsecondary institutions.

·  At the same ACT score, female students are more likely to attend college than male students.

To access the story, please visit: https://insights.nswers.org/stories/act-and-college-going/.