High school graduates from South Carolina’s 2008 class achieved the highest average (American College Testing Program) ACT scores ever recorded for the state, while seniors in Oconee and Pickens counties and Anderson District 4 helped their respective districts exceed the state average.

According to ACT scores released today, the 2008 average composite score for seniors was 19.9 on the ACT’s 36-point scale, which is up from 19.6 last year. Although the number of ACT test-takers statewide decreased by 200 students last year, the number has increased nearly 25 percent since 2004.

Oconee achieved a 21.3 composite score, the district’s four high schools exceed the state average in English, math, reading and science. Walhalla High seniors led with a 22.0 composite, compared to 22.6 last year. Seneca High seniors posted a 21.1 score, up from 20.3 last year. Tamassee-Salem High seniors achieved a 20.8 composite score, and West-Oak High seniors achieved a 20.3.

Oconee County Superintendent Mike Lucas said Seneca and Tamassee-Salem students improved in English, math, reading, science and on the composite score. While Seneca students achieved the highest district score in math, those at Tamassee-Salem earned the highest score in science. Walhalla High posted the highest district scores in English, reading and composite score, and West-Oak High saw an increase in its math score.

“Oconee County was the eighth-best performing district in the state in composite score, and the school district also ranks in the top 10 for South Carolina school districts on the ACT in the test areas of English, math, reading and science,” Lucas said.

Lucas added that the school district exceeded the state and national averages in all ACT test areas this year.

Pickens County also saw all four of its high schools — Daniel, Easley, Pickens and Liberty — exceed state ACT composite scores. Daniel High seniors led the way at 22.5, up from 22 last year; Easley High seniors matched the 21.6 score achieved each of the previous two years; Pickens High seniors recorded a 21.1 score, down slightly from last year’s 21.3; and Liberty High seniors achieved a 20.5 score, up from 19.4 last year.

Both Daniel and Easley High schools exceeded the national average composite score of 21.1 while Pickens High equaled that mark and Liberty High fell slightly below.

“The fact that three of our four schools are at or above the national average is indicative of the high quality of instruction that is occurring,” said Pickens County Superintendent Lee D’Andrea. “Liberty High is slightly below, but we see that as an opportunity to revisit the instructional program. Our goal is to be at or above the national average in all schools.”

Pickens County’s 21.5 composite score is the fourth highest in South Carolina and equals last year’s mark. English, reading and science scores are the fourth highest in the state, while math scores are the seventh highest. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the school district has exceeded the national average.

Pendleton High School, the only high school in Anderson 4, saw its seniors score a composite 21.3, up from 19 last year.

Forty-four percent of the state’s 2008 high school graduates took the ACT during their high school years.

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said the state’s high school seniors not only continue to show steady progress but also are improving their scores at a faster rate.

“I said before that we needed to improve at a faster rate to be competitive,” Rex said.

“That’s exactly what we’ve done,” he added.