DPS turns in higher SAT scores in 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dr. Bert L’Homme, Associate Superintendent, Instructional Services, 560-3716DURHAM--The average score for Durham Public Schools seniors taking the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) increased by two points in 2002. Durham seniors posted the second highest participation rate out of 117 districts in the state of North Carolina.
For the 2001-02 school year, the average SAT score for Durham Public Schools is 994. This result continues the decade-old "saw-tooth" pattern of increases every other year. When disaggregated by ethnicity, both African-American and white students were well above the national average.
Highlights of this year’s SAT results include:
For the second consecutive year, three high schools scored above the national average of 1020. Durham School of the Arts seniors posted an average SAT score of 1080, an increase of 34 points over last year; Jordan High School seniors scored an average of 1070, up 14 points; and Riverside High School seniors averaged 1042, 21 points higher than last year. Northern High School saw the largest decrease this year over last, dropping 39 points, from 998 to 959; Southern High’s average dropped 30 points, 874 to 844; and Hillside High School’s average score decreased by 11 points, from 878 to 867. Durham Public Schools had the second-highest participation rate in the state, with 88.8 percent of all seniors taking the test. African-American students in Durham Public Schools outscored their peers across the state and the nation, coming in at 19 points higher on average at 858 than their counterparts statewide (839) and one point above the national average for African-Americans, 857. White students did likewise with their average score of 1094, outscoring their state peers by 48 points on average (1046 for the state) and 34 points nationally (1060). Hispanic students taking the SAT scored an average 948, 13 points below the state average of 961, but 37 points above the national average for their counterparts (911).
The SAT is typically used for college admission information. The test is divided into verbal and mathematics sections worth 800 points each, with the highest possible score being 1600.
"While we are pleased with this year’s increase in SAT scores, we nonetheless expected to see greater gains," said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. "In the coming year, we will implement the Closing the Achievement Gap plan, which will include the College Board Initiative, a strategy to significantly bolster our efforts around identifying areas in which our students need extra support or increased challenge."
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Attachments:
US, NC and DPS SAT Performance: 1992-93 through 2001-02
SAT Performance: 1989-90 through 2001-02
DPS 2001-02 SAT Outcomes by High School
African-American/White SAT Peformance for DPS, NC and US
