ACT Test Scores For Some Alabama High School Students Impacted By ...

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Alabama high school juniors who took the ACT test with accommodations in April may have had the English portion of their test scored inaccurately, according to the state department of education.

Alabama State Department of Education Communications Director Michael Sibley told AL.com there were “weather-related technical issues with the ACT administration in a few areas, but nothing statewide.”

An incorrect score on a section of the standardized test could lead to an incorrect overall score. Many colleges require the test for applications.

Parents of impacted students in Vestavia Hills High School were notified through email April 29 of an “irregularity with the scoring of the English test’' for students who took the ACT with accommodations on April 12. The email indicated the issue “appears to be statewide” and both the Alabama Department of Education and ACT officials were looking into the irregularity.

“I recommend that you do not contact ACT and do not pay any rescoring fee,” the email to Vestavia parents continued.

Read more: Alabama class of 2021 ACT scores decline again

The ACT is given to all Alabama high school juniors during the school day as part of federal and state accountability systems. The ACT can be taken more than once, but students must register to take additional tests, typically given on Saturdays, on their own. The state funds only the school-day administration of the ACT.

Vestavia Hills City Schools spokesperson Whit McGhee said high school officials have notified all parents of students whose scores may be impacted but that no more information is currently available.

“Vestavia and one or two other systems were impacted,” ALSDE spokesman Sibley continued, saying they don’t have any specifics of exactly what happened or what needs to be done right now.

Education officials have not said how many students’ scores may have been impacted.

An ACT spokesperson sent AL.com the following statement: “Schools have reported possible issues with scores and ACT is currently investigating the matter.”