2017 ACT scores released Thursday show the Cowboy State is making steady progress in readying students for college, the career field or military service.

The Wyoming graduating class of 2017 had an average ACT composite score of 20.2, a slight increase over 2016's score of 20.04.

"We're in the top half of states that give the ACT to all of their juniors and every partial point matters on the ACT," said State Superintendent Jillian Balow. "Not even two points would get us in the top two or three."

"As we report this news out, (we hope) that every single high school in the state is looking at ways that they can contribute to the success of their students on the ACT," Balow added.

Wyoming state law requires all students to take the ACT as juniors. The state is among 17 that have results for 100 percent of graduating seniors.

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