More Ohio high schoolers taking ACT

COLUMBUS (AP) — Mirroring a national trend, the number of graduating high schoolers in Ohio who took the ACT grew this year.

Ohio’s average score of 21.7 remained the same from 2008, despite the fact that the number of test takers grew from 88,103 to 88,754. The number represented 64 percent of Ohio’s graduating class.

The state outperformed the average national score of 21.1, but only 26 percent of those who took the test met all four benchmarks measuring readiness for college.

Under Ohio’s new education policy, the ACT will become a requirement for graduation. Based on data from five other states that require the exam, Ohio is likely to see its average score dip, at least temporarily.