​According to a report in the Washington Post, the average student in the United States will take 112 standardized tests from the time they enter kindergarten until they graduate. While there is a growing group of people who believe that number is far too high, standardized testing is not going away anytime soon. Most of those tests serve no purpose beyond attempting to measure what a student has learned in a given class.  However, there is one test that can literally change a student’s life: the ACT. 

A student’s ACT score determines whether or not they must take remedial courses at the college level.  For example, a student who scores 18 or below on the math portion of the ACT will be required to take remedial math courses before taking any required math courses.  This equates to time and money because it could delay graduation and increase tuition. Tennessee students who earn a 21 on the ACT become eligible for the HOPE scholarship.  The HOPE awards a student $4,000 per year for a total of $16,000. The HOPE alone covers almost half of the tuition costs at most in-state public universities.  Most schools offer additional scholarships for students who score above a 25.  The ‘Holy Grail’ for ACT scores is 30 and above.  For example, the University of Tennessee has the Volunteer Scholarship, a $5,000 per year scholarship for an ACT of 31 and $8,000 per year for a 34.  There are many others of varying amounts at most institutions.  In some instances, students can actually receive more in scholarships than the cost of tuition and housing.  In summary, the right ACT score can speed up graduation and significantly lower costs and/or the amount of debt a student and their family assume. 

This is why we at AHS place such importance on the ACT test.  We understand that many of our students are not interested in attending a university after they graduate. We strongly support and encourage those who would prefer to attend TCAT or enter the workforce directly after graduating. However, not a month goes by that we do not have former students who contact us wanting a copy of their transcript sent to a community college or university.  After years in the workplace, many of them have realized that more education can greatly increase their career opportunities.  With that in mind, we prepare and encourage all our students to give their best on the ACT test.

I’ll see you in the halls. 

Someone once told me that a school year was like a trip on an airplane.  The flight is usually smooth--its the take-off and landing that gives you trouble.  This year has definitely been a bumpy take-off at AHS.  There were many things that had to be moved to the new junior high wing at AES.  Over a third of our teachers relocated to new rooms as we expanded into the old junior high classrooms. Students may have enjoyed the extra two weeks of summer break but it complicated things for sports and band. Teachers lost two weeks of valuable instructional time. The switch to a new student management system has also posed challenges that are still being resolved. However, after two weeks we are off the ground and headed for cruising altitude. 

Last year during the first week of school I shared my vision for Adamsville High School with both faculty and students.  There are two parts to that vision.  First of all, I wanted AHS to be a place where people want to be--a place students want to attend, a place where parents want their children to go, and a place where teachers want to work.  The second part of my vision is that I want our students to be ready when they leave---ready for wherever their decisions take them be that college, a vocational school, the military, or a job. 

Once again, during the first week of school I spoke with each individual grade level and told them that my vision hasn’t changed.  Those are still the two things that drive me each day.  Throughout this year, everything we do will be geared toward furthering that vision.  To be where we need to be it will take all of us--administrators, faculty and staff, students, parents, and the entire community.  With that in mind, I will be sharing regular updates with you through our social media and web page.  I’m looking forward to seeing what our students can accomplish.