Mesquite ISD’s Dr. John D. Horn High School has received the “2008 College Readiness Award” from the Texas ACT Council for increasing the number of students taking the ACT.  The College Readiness Award recognizes schools that post significant increases in the number of students taking the ACT over a five-year period and significant increases in those students’ level of achievement and college readiness.  Less than 5 percent of all Texas high schools accomplish this goal. In 2008, more than 140,000 Texas students took the ACT test, which was an all-time high. 

The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement test designed to measure the skills and knowledge taught in school and deemed important for first-year college students to possess.  It is accepted by colleges nationwide.   

“College is the expectation for all MISD students, and success on the ACT is an important step in reaching that goal,” said Bruce Perkins, JHHS principal.  “This award is a direct result of the hard work and dedication by the Horn staff and students who recognize the benefits of being prepared for college.” 

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. In addition to publishing the ACT assessment, ACT, Inc. provides research, information, and program management services in the broad areas of education and workforce development.