Texas SAT scores slip farther behind U.S.
August 27, 2008
The College Board reported Tuesday that average Texas scores slipped a couple of points in math to 505 and four points in reading to 488. The national averages were the same as last year at 515 in math and 502 in reading. A perfect score on each is 800.
Written by Terrence Stutz, The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Texas students lost ground on the SAT this year, widening the long-standing gap between themselves and their counterparts across the U.S. as average math and reading scores in the state dropped.
The College Board reported Tuesday that average Texas scores slipped a couple of points in math to 505 and four points in reading to 488. The national averages were the same as last year at 515 in math and 502 in reading. A perfect score on each is 800.
State officials noted that a larger number of Texas students took the college entrance exam this year, with minority students making up nearly half of all test takers. That percentage is significantly higher than the percentage of minority students taking the SAT nationwide.
An analysis of Texas results by the College Board found that students who took a rigorous schedule of courses in high school – including four years of English and three years each of math, science and social studies – earned scores that were 36 to 40 points higher on each section of the SAT that those who took a lighter class load.
"Today's data proves that Texas students are headed in the right direction," said state Education Commissioner Robert Scott. "Students taking the Recommended High School Program are more prepared for postsecondary success."
High school students were tested in writing for the third time this year. Texas students had an average score of 480, down two points from last year. About half of the Class of 2008 took the SAT, according to the Texas Education Agency.
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