The Tennessee Department of Education has unveiled the ACT results and participation rates for the graduating class of 2025, showcasing an impressive 99% participation rate across the state. This achievement reflects the dedicated efforts of schools and districts to encourage student engagement with the ACT, a critical component of the college admissions process.

Despite high participation, the statewide average composite ACT score for 2025 stayed steady at 19.3, the same as in 2024. Tennessee is among the few states that require the ACT or SAT for high school graduation, making these tests a core part of their curriculum. All 11th graders must take one to earn a diploma, and the state offers free testing and retakes to ensure high participation. While many states use these tests for accountability, Tennessee's mandatory participation for graduation makes it stand out as a state that strongly links these assessments to diploma requirements, often resulting in nearly 100% participation.

JC Bowman, CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee, highlighted the importance of ACT scores in college admissions, stating, “ACT scores play a pivotal role in college admissions and scholarships...but they comprise just one facet of the multifaceted evaluation process for college admission.”

Tennessee's innovative ACT Senior Retake program, which allows public high school students to take the ACT twice for free during school hours, continues to support college and career readiness. The department annually releases ACT results, highlighting each student's highest score, with the most recent data available on their Data Downloads webpage.

Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education, expressed pride in the state’s educational institutions, stating, “We are incredibly proud of our districts, schools, and public charters for their unwavering dedication to guiding students toward bright futures.”

Key Statewide Highlights:

• Participation Rates: Among the 129 districts, 114 (87.7%) had participation rates of 99% or higher, up from 113 districts in 2024.
• Growth in Specific Student Groups:
• Economically disadvantaged students saw a slight improvement, increasing from 16.6 to 16.7.
• English learners improved significantly from 13.6 to 14.6.
• Students with disabilities rose from 14.9 to 15.0.

More than 99% of public charter school students participated in the ACT, with their average composite score increasing from 17.1 to 17.6.

Benchmark Achievement:

Overall, 37.2% of the graduating cohort met the ACT benchmark, scoring at least 21. Notably:

• Economically disadvantaged students increased from 17.7% to 18.3%.
• English learners increased from 2.3% to 6.3%.
• Students with disabilities increased from 8.6% to 9.2%.

 District Performance:

• Williamson County Schools led the state with 79% of students meeting the ACT benchmark, followed by Germantown Municipal Schools (73.8%) and Collierville Schools (69.4%).
• Significant improvements were noted in several districts:
• Moore County Schools: Increased from 29.8% to 50.0%.
• Jackson County Schools: Increased from 22.0% to 41.3%.
• Bledsoe County Schools: Increased from 22.7% to 36.4%.

Regarding specific student groups, Kingsport City Schools saw Black or African American students improve their benchmark achievement from 19.0% to 33.3%. Meanwhile, Jackson County Schools reported a 26.4 percentage-point increase among economically disadvantaged students.

The ACT and SAT results remain key indicators of college and career readiness in Tennessee. According to the state's accountability systems, scoring 21 on the ACT or 1060 on the SAT is one of four pathways proving readiness for postsecondary education.

As Tennessee remains committed to offering future educational opportunities for all students, the 2025 ACT results showcase the state's dedication to fostering academic excellence and preparing students for successful futures.

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