Monarch Butterflies and Wax Moths are similar in many ways, but there are some important differences. In the fall, Monarchs migrate thousands of miles from Canada and the United States to a particular region in Mexico. Their top speed is around 12 miles per hour so it is a long journey but they have a goal, they don’t deviate from it, and they eventually arrive. Moths, on the other hand, don’t have a goal. They just circle around and eventually end up flying into a candle flame or stuck to a car windshield.
At one time, our approach to the ACT test was more like a moth than a butterfly. We fluttered around, sometimes going in the right direction and at other times, the opposite way. Our scores varied from year to year but were never what we felt they should be. About four years ago we revamped our ACT Prep program by targeting juniors and seniors with lessons taught by subject area teachers. Following those changes there was some improvement, but we still did not get the results we wanted. We were still just fluttering around, hoping for the best. This summer, we finally realized one major weakness of our efforts to improve ACT scores was that we had no real goal. Sure, we wanted better scores, but what were better scores? Did that mean raising our average composite score but one tenth of a point? Two tenths? A half point? With that thought in mind, a group of teachers met several times during July and August. The results of those meetings have been a revamped ACT prep program and a specific goal.
Our goal at AHS is “21 x 23”-- a school average of 21 by the time our current freshman class graduates in 2023. This year each of our four grades has a specific goal which culminates with a 21 for the class of 2023. This is over 1.5 points higher than any graduating class at AHS has ever scored. While this might seem like a modest goal, raising the school average this much will be a major achievement that will require work and commitment.
Mark Hansen, who co-wrote Chicken Soup for the Soul once said “You fail at 100% of the goals you don’t set.” We have set an ambitious but attainable goal. Like a Monarch Butterfly headed for Mexico, it may take a while, but we have a destination and we are going after it.
21 x 23
I’ll see you in the halls.
At one time, our approach to the ACT test was more like a moth than a butterfly. We fluttered around, sometimes going in the right direction and at other times, the opposite way. Our scores varied from year to year but were never what we felt they should be. About four years ago we revamped our ACT Prep program by targeting juniors and seniors with lessons taught by subject area teachers. Following those changes there was some improvement, but we still did not get the results we wanted. We were still just fluttering around, hoping for the best. This summer, we finally realized one major weakness of our efforts to improve ACT scores was that we had no real goal. Sure, we wanted better scores, but what were better scores? Did that mean raising our average composite score but one tenth of a point? Two tenths? A half point? With that thought in mind, a group of teachers met several times during July and August. The results of those meetings have been a revamped ACT prep program and a specific goal.
Our goal at AHS is “21 x 23”-- a school average of 21 by the time our current freshman class graduates in 2023. This year each of our four grades has a specific goal which culminates with a 21 for the class of 2023. This is over 1.5 points higher than any graduating class at AHS has ever scored. While this might seem like a modest goal, raising the school average this much will be a major achievement that will require work and commitment.
Mark Hansen, who co-wrote Chicken Soup for the Soul once said “You fail at 100% of the goals you don’t set.” We have set an ambitious but attainable goal. Like a Monarch Butterfly headed for Mexico, it may take a while, but we have a destination and we are going after it.
21 x 23
I’ll see you in the halls.
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