Are they ready for college?

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports:

A report designed to help Kentucky public and private high schools determine their strengths and weaknesses in preparing students for post-secondary education was released Monday.

The "Kentucky High School Feedback Report: Class of 2004," shows various data for each school, including: ACT scores and grade-point averages; percentage of students with developmental needs; number of Advanced Placement tests taken; graduation rates; and college grades.

The data are based only on those students who graduated in spring 2004, took the ACT and matriculated to an in-state postsecondary institution...

"It does not capture every single kid, but it does give a good sample," said Lisa Gross, spokeswoman for the department of education.

For example, according to the report, Beechwood High School had a cumulative GPA of 3.01, an in-state college-going rate of 49.4 percent and 24.4 percent of its students had developmental needs in one or more subjects. That information could help Beechwood determine where it needs to strengthen its curriculum.

But Beechwood Superintendent Fred Bassett pointed out that 84.4 percent of the 2004 class went to college - including those who went to out-of-state schools. And because many went to reputable schools such as Northwestern University, the University of Notre Dame and Xavier University, Beechwood's cumulative GPA likely would be higher and its percentage of students with developmental needs would likely be lower if those out-of-state students were included.

TO CHECK YOUR SCHOOL
The "Kentucky High School Feedback Report: Class of 2004" data for all public and private high schools is available online (www.cpe.ky.gov/news/reports/highschoolfeedback).