Glossary-2012 (and prior years) ACT Report
This glossary defines key terms for the school, district, county, and state level records. These definitions are applicable to the 2011-12 reports as well as prior year reports.The terms described below are listed in the order in which they appear in the headings.
Background
This document is meant to accompany the ACT Report. The California Department of Education (CDE) receives ACT data at the student level from ACT, Inc. The CDE then aggregates the data by school, district, county, and state in order to produce the ACT Report. The ACT Report includes only California public schools with one or more students enrolled in grade twelve according to data submitted by local educational agencies (LEAs) and maintained in the California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS). Scores for schools that had fewer than eleven students taking the ACT are not shown on the ACT Report in order to preserve the anonymity of the students.
ACT Report
Grade 12 Enrollment
The number of students reported as enrolled in grade 12. Data reported to CBEDS by LEAs (as of October).
Number Tested
The number of students at California public schools with grade 12 enrollment for whom ACT, Inc. reported ACT test scores. ACT, Inc. and CDE public school data. (Note: A secondary school code recorded by student on ACT test is used to link ACT scores to the school.)
Percent Tested
“Number Tested” divided by “Grade 12 Enrollment.” Calculated element. (Note: Because data for Grade 12 Enrollment and Number Tested are compiled at different points in time, these numbers may be valid even when the percent tested exceeds 100 percent. In other cases, source data may be in error.)
Average Score
The average score at the school, district, county, or state level was calculated by summing the scores of the students and dividing by the “Number Tested,” for each level. ACT test scores range from 1 to 36 points. Calculated element.
Score >=21 Number
Number of students at the school, district, county, or state level who scored 21 points or more on the ACT test. Calculated element.
Score >=21 Percent
Beginning in 2007–08, the percent was calculated by dividing the “Score >=21 Number” by the “Number Tested.” Calculated element.
Score >=21 Rate
Prior to 2007–08, the rate was calculated by dividing the “Score >=21 Number” by the “Grade 12 Enrollment.” Calculated element.