Seventeen percent more Latino high school graduates took the test used for college entrance in 2007 compared with 2006. Statewide, the percentage of test-takers grew from 69 percent to 70 percent of high school graduates during the same period.

"We're seeing a growing number of Hispanics take the ACT nationwide," ACT spokesman Ed Colby said.

Utah test-takers earned an average composite score of 21.7 versus 21.2 nationally. That score compares with 21.7 for Utah and 21.1 for the nation in 2006.

The ACT tests students in English, math, reading and science. Tests are graded on a scale of 1 to 36. A composite score averages the four individual tests.

Latinos make up an ever-increasing portion of Utah's school population, and "it's good to see their numbers going up in terms of the ACT," said Mark Peterson, state Office of Education spokesman.

Despite the upward trend, Utah students' college-readiness is low, according to the ACT analysis, as it is nationwide.

Only 24 percent of 2007 graduates in Utah who took the ACT - and 9 percent of Latinos overall - met benchmarks that demonstrate they have a strong likelihood of earning a C or higher in all four subject areas in college.

"Does that mean 75 percent of Utah students are going to fail when they go to college?" Colby asked. "It means a lot of students, particularly in the area of science, are likely to struggle."

Statewide, 74 percent of Utah students tested achieved ACT college-readiness benchmark scores in English, but only 30 percent of students made the grade in science.

Peterson predicts ACT scores will go up in Utah as new graduation requirements take effect.

Starting with the class of 2011, this fall's ninth-graders, graduates will be required to take an additional year of English, math and science.

"We'd like to see more ethnic minority participation generally," he said. "And we hope as we've increased rigor we'll see more students seeing the ACT and the college route as a viable option."

jlyon@sltrib.com