Richland Senior High School has received the “2012 College Readiness Award” from the Texas ACT Council for increasing the number of students taking the ACT Assessment over the past five years and significantly increasing their level of achievement and college readiness. The Texas ACT Council is comprised of secondary and postsecondary educators who advise ACT, Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in Texas schools and colleges. ACT, Inc. is the not-for-profit organization that provides assessment, research, information, and program management services in the broad areas of education and workforce development and the publisher of the ACT Assessment. The ACT Assessment is the college admissions test that is used and accepted by all colleges nationwide and throughout Texas. In 2012, over 39 percent of Texas graduating high school seniors took the ACT in Texas while the total number of Texas students taking the ACT has increased over 40 percent since 2008.

According to Karen L. Pennell, Assistant Vice President and ACT Southwest Regional Manager:

“The Texas ACT Council wanted to recognize those Texas high schools that have made significant strides in increasing the college and career readiness of their graduates as demonstrated by their ACT score increases over the past five years. This can only happen as a result of the high school’s faculty and staff efforts and the dedication of Richland Senior High School students and parents to focus on college and career readiness and raise the level of academic readiness for all students. Only 170 high schools in Texas were honored for this superior level of accomplishment which represents only 9 percent of all Texas high schools. These outstanding Texas high schools should be proud of their faculty, staff, and students! Congratulations!”