When administrators at Marietta Public Schools began to receive preliminary ACT
testing scores for this school year, they did it with smiles on their faces. After years of
composite scores that trended in a downward direction, this year’s scores show marked
improvements.
The ACT is a standardized, curriculum-based college entrance exam used for
admissions and scholarships in the United States. It tests high school students in
English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, with an optional Writing section to
measure college readiness.
In Oklahoma, the test is given to all high school juniors as a part of the Oklahoma
College- and Career-Readiness program, acting as a state-mandated accountability
measure to gauge school performance.
Students are tested in English, Math, Reading, and Science. They receive a subject
area score in those areas in addition to a composite score.
In an apples-to-apples comparison of the 2025-26 school year to the 2024-25 school
year, MHS improved in every one of those areas.
According to administrators, those gains were the result of a multi-faceted plan of action
that’s been implemented over the past few years.
A big part of that process was the addition of an ACT prep class that provides juniors
with year-long support in test-taking strategies and skill development.
Additionally, the Professional Learning Communities process allowed staff to identify the
essential skills students needed most and teach those skills to mastery. Another key
component was increased rigor in the classroom that was directly aligned to the
Oklahoma Academic Standards.
“Ultimately, this improvement was made possible through the hard work, dedication, and
collaboration of our teachers,” said Principal Michael Oakley, “and I am very proud of
the effort they put forth on behalf of our students.”
Although higher scores are a step in the right direction, MHS administrators and faculty
will continue their work to increase scores, realizing that the link between better ACT
scores and better-prepared students is one that cannot be ignored.