SAT scores decrease; ethnicities remain at or above most counterparts
DURHAM—The average score for seniors taking the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) fell 14 points for Durham Public Schools seniors during the 2007-08 school year. Two major ethnic groups in DPS remained equal to or above their state counterparts.
The average score for the senior class of 2008 in DPS was 969, 14 points below last year’s average of 983.
It is important to note that when broken out by ethnicity, African-American students matched their state counterparts, Hispanic students averaged above their national counterparts, and white students outscored both state and national counterparts.
There was an overall three-point increase in average SAT scores in North Carolina, which reported an average 1007 compared to last year’s 1004. The average score for the United States remained the same as the previous year, at 1017 this year.
Points of interest regarding 2008 SAT results include:
Several high schools reported increases in their overall average SAT scores. They include Middle College High School at Durham Technical Community College, which reported a 65-point increase (1023 to 1088); Jordan High School, up nine points (1060 to 1069) and Hillside High School, whose average rose five points, from 849 to 854.
- DPS African-American students matched the state average score for African-American students (852).
- DPS white students exceed (1106) both the state (1062) and the national (1065) average scores for white students.
- DPS average scores for Hispanic students (928) exceed the national average for Hispanic students (914).
- Four schools scored higher than the North Carolina average score of 1007. They are Durham School of the Arts (1057), Jordan (1069), Riverside (1009) and Middle College High School (1088).
- Three schools outscored the national average score of 1017. They are DSA (1057), Jordan (1069) and Middle College (1088).
Ongoing strategies will continue in the effort to increase academic rigor and SAT participation, and to increase the average SAT score include:
- Increasing enrollment in advanced math and Advanced Placement courses;
- Placing greater emphasis on use of College Board software and additional technology in preparing students to take the test; and,
- Maintaining high standards and challenging students in all academic classes, plus increasing writing and vocabulary exercises across the curriculum.
“A decrease in SAT scores is a cause for concern, and we are looking at a number of ways to ensure that we tackle this issue head on,” said Superintendent Carl Harris. “We will continue to make SAT and other college prep programs and services available to a greater number of students, while simultaneously working with all students to ensure that they are well prepared not only for standardized tests, but also for college and the working world.”
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Attachments:
Durham Public Schools 2007-08 SAT Outcomes by High School
SAT Performance 1989-90 through 2007-08
African-American, White and Hispanic SAT Performance for DPS, N.C. and U.S.
