Just a quarter of 2013's high school graduates who took the ACT tests have the reading, math, English and science skills that they need to succeed in college or a career, according to data the testing company just released

The numbers are even worse for black high school graduates: Just 5% of black students are ready for college work in English, reading, math and science skills. Among American Indians, 10% are ready in all subjects, while 14% of Hispanics are ready. Pacific Islanders post a 19% readiness rate for all four subjects. White students have a 33% rate and 43% of Asian-American students are ready for studies in all four subjects.