Decatur trying test incentives

— While high scores on the ACT test bring students long-term rewards - such as scholarships and admittance to better colleges - Decatur High School is adding some short-term incentives to help motivate students to achieve.

Students who score above 22 on the college readiness test will receive a city library pass, a free small pizza at the Gallery Cafe, a homework pass and an athletic pass.

Those who score over 25 on the test will receive a $200 college scholarship and will have their name entered in a drawing to win a Kindle Fire.

“One of the major focuses identified by the staff at Decatur High School and theschool board is to increase student performance on the ACT,” said high school principal Deborah Coffee. “The Professional Learning Community, established to focus on this goal, has created an impressive list of incentives for students.”

Students take the ACT test during their junior and senior years of high school to test their preparedness for college in the areas of English, math, reading and science. The average composite test score for Arkansas students in 2012 was 20.3 and the highest possible score is a 36.

Bryan Hembree, director of the University of Arkansas College Access Initiative, conducted several workshops in Decatur for parents and students last year. Hegave test taking tips and stressed the importance of taking the test as many times as possible.

Last week more than 130 students and parents attended an ACT night to hear a presentation by Hembree, and he will be returning to Decatur to work with students on Dec. 5 and March 25.

The efforts to improve ACT test scores are beginning to pay off. Already this year, two Decatur students have scored over 25 on the ACT, according to high school counselor Nancy Cotter.

She said the school is also looking to add incentives for students who score well on the Explore, Plan and PSAT tests, all of which help make sure students are on track to do well on the ACT test.

Opinion, Pages 8 on 11/14/2012