ST. PAUL — A new report shows Minnesota students are leading the nation in ACT scores for the 10th consecutive year, but a persistent racial achievement gap remains.

Students in Minnesota have the highest average ACT scores among states where a majority of students take the test to measure college readiness. The state’s 2015 graduating seniors scored an average of 22.7 on their ACTs.

Although more minority students in Minnesota are taking the test, their ACT scores lag behind their white peers.

But state Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius tells Minnesota Public Radio News that she’s not concerned because more students are taking the test. About 1,500 more students took the test and a higher percentage of test-takers were minority students.

Minnesota also leads the nation in overall college preparedness.