ACT scores for Minnesota high schoolers among best in nation

ACT scores for Minnesota high school students remain among the best in the nation.

The state's class of 2011 scored an average of 22.9 of a possible 36.

Minnesota's score is unchanged from last year and is nearly two points above the national average of 21.1.

Averages on the English and science portions of the test remained flat. Math inched up slightly, but reading scores fell. In all cases, averages in those subjects bested the national average.

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Minority students participated in smaller numbers and on average scored lower than their white peers.

Iowa was in second place at 22.3, and Wisconsin was third at 22.2.

Comparing scores between states is difficult because participation varies widely. Seven states had a higher average ACT score than Minnesota, but in each of those states fewer than a third of all graduates took the test. In Minnesota, 72 percent of graduates took the ACT, also a new high for the state.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)