Published Online in: Educational Researcher January 28, 2020
Elaine M. Allensworth, University of Chicago Kallie Clark, University of Chicago
High school GPAs (HSGPAs) are often perceived to represent inconsistent levels of readiness for college across high schools, whereas test scores (e.g., ACT scores) are seen as comparable. This study tests those assumptions, examining variation across high schools of both HSGPAs and ACT scores as measures of academic readiness for college. We found students with the same HSGPA or the same ACT score graduate at very different rates based on which high school they attended. Yet, the relationship of HSGPAs with college graduation is strong and consistent and larger than school effects. In contrast, the relationship of ACT scores with college graduation is weak and smaller than high school effects, and the slope of the relationship varies by high school.
Read the full open-access article online here.
Read the press release: "Research Finds that High School GPAs Are Stronger Predictors of College Graduation than ACT Scores."
Opinion: Do away with standardized testing The Crimson White, February 11, 2024
Editorial: Time is right to drop ACT, SAT Gaineville, June 10, 2020 Dr. Kent Ingle: Coronavirus may reveal college admission exams are nonessential for higher education Fox News, April 16, 2020
Colorado K-12 education news in brief Denver Post, February 15, 2020
Grades Predict College Success Better Than ACT Scores Real Clear Education, February 10, 2020
High school GPAs outweigh ACTs for college readiness: study Xinhua News Agency, February 7, 2020
ACT, SAT scores are no longer required for admission to UMKC Associated Press/U.S. News & World Report, January 31, 2020
GPA Better than ACT as College Graduation Indicator Politico "New York Education," January 30, 2020
New Study Finds High School GPA Beats Standardized Tests Fatherly.com, January 30, 2020
It’s GPAs Not Standardized Tests That Predict College Success Forbes, January 29, 2020
Study: Grades Are 5 Times Stronger Than ACT Scores Inside Higher Ed, January 29, 2020
High school GPA 5 times more likely to predict college success than ACT scores Education Dive, January 29, 2020
ACT and SAT scores are no longer required for admission to this Missouri university Kansas City Star, January 29, 2020
UMKC eliminates mandatory ACT, SAT scores from admissions process KSHB-TV, January 29, 2020
Study: High school GPA better predictor of college success than ACT scores Des Moines Business Record, January 29, 2020
Report Roundup Politico “Morning Education,” January 29, 2020
Study Finds GPA Stronger Than ACT in Predicting College Success Diverse Issues in Higher Education, January 28, 2020
High School GPAs and ACT Scores as Predictors of College Completion: Examining Assumptions about Consistency across High Schools