Nebraska students' average ACT scores dropped slightly for the third year in a row, but officials say the Cornhusker State remains competitive with similar states.

The Nebraska Department of Education released the average test scores of students who graduated in May of 2024 on Wednesday, revealing how students across the state fared on the exam that measures college readiness in English, reading, math and science.

Each of the ACT's four parts are graded individually, and the average of the four scores is a student's composite score. The highest possible score is 36.

In Nebraska, every junior enrolled in public schools is required to take the exam as part of the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System.

In 2024, 95% of Nebraska public and private school graduates took the test, with an overall average score of 19.1, down slightly from last year's statewide average score of 19.2.

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Nationally, only 36% of students took the exam. The national average score also dropped by one-tenth of a percentage point, going from 19.5 last year to 19.4 this year.

Nebraska students averaged a score of 18.1 in English, compared to an average of 18.6 nationally. For reading, Nebraskans had an average score of 19.5, while the national average was 20.1. In math, Nebraska's average was 18.8 and the national average was 19. And, in science, the statewide score was 19.4 and the national score was 19.6.

However, when compared to other states with a high percentage of students tested, Nebraska's average score of 19.1 was fairly competitive.

When looking at the 13 other states with more than 90% of graduates taking the ACT, only two scored better than Nebraska: Montana, at 19.5, and Wisconsin, at 19.4.

Comparing states based on participation can be important because states that test a high level of students tend to have lower average scores because not every student who takes the ACT may be college ready, the Department of Education said in a news release.

The average score in Nebraska has been steadily decreasing over the past few years, with the most notable drop occurring from 2021 to 2022, which is most likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

In 2019, Nebraska students averaged a score of 20, and nearly 100% of graduates took the exam. The score dropped slightly to 19.9 in 2020, with another near 100% turnout for graduates. It rose back to 20 in 2021, when only 86% of graduates took the test. In 2022, average scores dropped to 19.4 and then to 19.2 in 2023.

Top Journal Star photos for October 2024

Russ Marr works on a wooden portion of "Vlad the Impaler" — an art piece depicting a goose that has the fangs of a vampire, the tongue of a serpent and the tail of a rattlesnake. The body of the piece uses an original tank from a 1977 Harley-Davidson Super Glide.

Malcolm's Cole Tiedeman (center) celebrates with his teammates after the Clippers defeated Raymond Central 27-19 on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Raymond Central High School.

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As seen from outside the UNL Union, Sen. Deb Fischer (right) speaks about her responsibilities as a senator and answers questions from students during a UNL College Republicans meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, at the UNL Union. Fischer, the Republican from Nebraska seeking her third term in the US Senate.

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Henry Oetjen augers corn from his combine into a grain cart while harvesting on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at Oetjen Farms near Walton.

From left, Nola Broderick, 7, and her twin Rose Broderick ride their bikes past the Halloween decorations at the home of Wade and Debbie McGinnis at 5043 Leighton Avenue is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Lincoln.

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Lincoln Southwest's Brenly Noerrlinger (from left), Ja'Sara Wilson and Hadley Madson sing a chant during a game against Fremont on Tuesday at Doris Bair Complex.

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