CHEYENNE (WNE) — Wyoming students’ average ACT composite score is in the top five among states that require all students to take the exam, sitting in second place behind Illinois.

The Wyoming Department of Education announced in a media release that this year’s ACT average composite score of 18.9 helped Wyoming maintain a high placement nationally.

Despite a 1% decrease in math, English and reading average scores, students continued to hold their second place among the 11 states that require 100% participation.

“Of those states that test all students on the ACT, we continue to be at the top of the pack. I am proud of Wyoming’s performance on ACT and Work-Keys nationally, and we will not stop pushing to improve scores,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder said in the news release.

Additionally, two students statewide achieved perfect scores of 36, and 46% of graduates increased their scores from previous tests by an average of 0.8 points, which, according to the media release, has helped them qualify for their school of choice and earn additional scholarship support.

The ACT also has a test option for graduates to earn their National Career Readiness Certificate, also known as the ACT WorkKeys.

This exam focuses on job skills and career readiness by assessing soft skills and foundational skills needed for the workplace. This year, according to the WDE media release, five students earned the Platinum NCRC, the highest possible.

The score, according to the ACT WorkKeys website, means that graduates have scored a minimum level score of 6 in applied math, graphic literacy and workplace documents assessments.

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