By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The Tennessee Department of Education’s recent release of statewide ACT scores for 2020-21 confirmed Union City Schools’ lofty status.
Successfully negotiating the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, UC ranked fifth in the state among nearly 150 school districts in Tennessee in composite scores for the standardized test used for college admissions.
The ACT covers four academic skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and scientific reasoning. It also offers an optional direct writing test.
Union City students posted an average of 21.8 on the test, the best of any rural West Tennessee school system. UC has ranked among the Top 10 among all schools over the last several years.
Only much-larger systems from Williamson County, Germantown, Collierville and Maryville – all from decidedly-different socio-economic standings and with a higher per-capita family incomes – posted better scores than Union City Schools.
UC Director of Schools Wes Kennedy was beaming with pride after informing his faculty of the good news.
“I continue to be so amazed and proud of our teachers – from pre-K through the 12th grade – and our students who work so diligently to do their best, no matter the situation,” Kennedy said. “They all work tirelessly – our teachers for the future of our students whom they believe in and have expectations of. And our students are committed to achieving and reaching their potential.
“The ACT is part of our culture here at Union City Schools. We make sure our students know and understand the financial benefits of a 21 or above on the tests and the options it gives you later in life. We will always be committed to evaluating and improving our scores in every way.”
Ninety-four percent of UC High School students took the ACT during the last school year, and 58 percent scored 21 or better. That 21 score is significant as Tennessee public school graduates become eligible for the HOPE scholarship by earning that composite total.
There are currently 16 UCHS students – 12 seniors and four juniors – who’ve scored 30 or better on the ACT. A handful more are just a point or two away from that elite status that triggers even more significant scholarship monies.
“The most amazing part is that Union City Schools continues to rise among the elite despite the socio-economic standing and the per-capita family income of our area,” added Kennedy, who rewarded both faculty and students with several perks for the accomplishment. “When you look at the four districts that are ahead of us and compare those things with ours, it’s mind-boggling that we achieve what we do.”
The statewide ACT composite average for Tennessee schools in 2020-21 was 19.1 on average, down eight-tenths of a point from the year before. Due to pandemic-related school closures in some districts in the Spring of 2020, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted Public Chapter 652 in legislative session to waive the ACT testing requirement for 11th grade students.
Still, 96 percent of juniors and seniors across Tennessee participated, with 17 districts noting 100 percent participation. Only five districts had participation rates lower than 90 percent.
“Even with requirements waived and our districts, schools, and students facing so many challenges, we are proud to have achieved a 96% participation rate on the ACT for the 2020-21 school year. It is one of the highest in the country during this period,” said Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “While we know the effects of the pandemic are still being felt — especially by this class of students –we are proud of the collective efforts to ensure our students have every opportunity to be prepared for and take the ACT.”