Strength and Conditioning

We talked a little today about the significance of ACT scores. I suggested that kids look at their percentile, in addition to their ACT composite. That number will give them an idea of how they compare to students around the country. If, for instance, a student scores in the 75th percentile, that means that 25% of students scored higher than s/he did and they'll get an idea of how they'll stack up in a "bigger pond" than Comstock Park. I also suggested students compare their scores (in English and reading for my class) to their class grade. If they scored a 27, for instance, and their class grade is a D, then we know there is probably a problem with completing work, studying, etc., and not with ability.

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Students scored (overall) fairly low on their mid-term exam--a reading comprehension test. And generally speaking, many scored low on their ACT reading test, too. Parents often ask what their kids can do to improve their reading--and I always feel rather lame saying ... "Read more!" But I just read a comment by a national reading specialist who suggested in order to improve reading skills, high school students should read one self-selected book a month--that's in addition to reading for school. Reading is a skill and it takes practice. An athlete wouldn't expect to neglect conditioning, skip practices, and go out to the field or court and score a touch down or a three-pointer; a musician couldn't expect to neglect practice, rarely picking up their instrument, and play a complex piece flawlessly. Well, it's the same thing with reading.