OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 20, 2011) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi recently received notice that 32 Oklahoma High Schools have been awarded the 2011 College Readiness Award by the Oklahoma ACT Council.

The recognition means each school has shown a significant increase in its ACT composite score over the past five years, while at the same time increasing the number of students taking the ACT assessment. The result is a greater number of Oklahoma students prepared for college.

Only 5 percent of the high schools in Oklahoma were able to achieve the 2011 College Readiness Award. But, more than 76 percent of Oklahoma students took the ACT in 2011 – an all-time high.

The Oklahoma ACT Council, supervised by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, is comprised of secondary and postsecondary educators who advise ACT Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in Oklahoma schools and colleges. Directors from ACT Inc.’s Southwest Region joined Oklahoma ACT Council members in recognizing the significant achievement of the 32 schools.

Five GEAR UP for SUCCESS high schools received the 2011 College Readiness Award: Colbert, Haworth, Howe, Salina, and Westville. Congratulations and good work!