Board of Regents Release Annual High School Feedback Report

PIERRE-The Board of Regents has released the annual High School Feedback Report for high school graduates entering Regental institutions in Fall 1997. Created in 1995, this report enhances communication between high schools and the public universities, provides high schools with information about their graduates’ readiness for post-secondary education, and helps universities, high schools, and parents work together to ensure that students are prepared to be productive in college.

Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry said, "The Board of Regents prepares the Feedback Report as part of its dedication to improving students’ readiness to enter South Dakota’s public universities. The Feedback Report is designed to help high schools and higher education identify areas where students need further preparation."

The report contains summary tables and explanatory notes for: the number of South Dakota high school graduates entering Regental institutions in fall 1997, remedial placement by institution, credit awarded for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, high school graduates’ first-year performance (GPA), high school graduates’ performance compared to their composite ACT score, and high school graduates’ placement in math and English courses.

The average composite ACT score of the 2,583 South Dakota high school graduates entering Regental institutions who took the ACT was 21.8. The average composite ACT score for the

2,482 (96.08%) admitted to baccalaureate degree programs was 22.0 and for the 101 (3.91%) admitted to associate degree programs the average score was 18.1.

The average for all South Dakota students taking the ACT was 21.4, while the national average was 21.0. The South Dakota average includes students who did not attend a Board of Regents university in Fall 1997.

Comparison of 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 South Dakota high school graduates entering Board of Regents universities reveals some change. After rising for three straight years, there was a slight decrease occurred in the average ACT composite score and retention rate, when compared to the 1996 values. The percentage of students receiving credit for College Board Advanced Placement (CBAP) increased by more than a percentage point to 3.86%. Enrollment in degree credit courses decreased as unduplicated remedial enrollment increased. The percentage of unduplicated enrollments remained lower than in 1995. The percentage enrolled in English remedial courses increased (5.17%), continuing a four-year trend. The percentage enrolled in mathematics remedial courses increased (3.75%), but remained lower than in 1995.

	1994	1995	1996	1997
Entering Cohort	2,986	2,718	2,527	2,704
Average ACT composite score	21.47	21.68	21.96	21.86
Percentage enrolled in English remedial courses	3.85%	3.95%	4.13%	5.17%
Percentage enrolled in mathematics remedial courses	5.29%	5.85%	3.37%	3.75%
Percentage of unduplicated remedial enrollments	8.10%	8.94%	6.26%	8.28%
Percentage enrolled in degree credit courses	91.90%	91.06%	93.74%	91.72%
Percentage awarded credit for CBAP	NA	2.79%	2.13%	3.86%
Average GPA of those in remedial courses	2.10	2.38	2.06	2.28
Average GPA of those in degree credit courses	2.60	2.72	2.71	2.72
Average GPA of those awarded CBAP credit	NA	3.38	3.45	3.29
Average GPA of all students at end of year	2.56	2.69	2.68	2.69
Retention rate	98.00%	98.79%	98.69%	98.67%

The percentage of 1997 South Dakota high school graduates enrolling in remedial courses at the regental institutions (8.28%) is less than reported nationally.

A study by the National Center for Education Statistics, Remedial Education at Higher Education Institutions in Fall 1995, indicates that 81% of the public 4-year colleges in the United States offer remedial courses, and 25% of first-time freshmen enroll in them. Regental institutions also are among the 60% nationally that identify students who need remedial coursework by giving all entering students placement tests. The report concludes that nationally, "There does not appear to be a substantial, consistent upward or downward change in remedial education offerings or enrollments."

Perry said, "A strong foundation is essential when building an academic career. South Dakota high schools are doing an excellent job of preparing their graduates. The university system will continue to work with high schools to guarantee the readiness of high school graduates for higher education."

A copy of the Feedback Report may be obtained from the Board of Regents office by calling 605-773-3455. Please direct any questions to Daniel Petra at the Board office.