The College Board announced Wednesday that more high school students are taking the SAT test across the nation and in Florida -- but state Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson maintained that the higher number of test takers led to lower scores in the Sunshine State.
Almost 1.65 million members of the Class of 2011 across the nation took the SAT in the last school year -- the highest number in the test's history. However, the College Board noted Wednesday, only 43 percent of those who tested met the SAT benchmark score of 1,550 on the three sections that compromise the SAT. According to the College Board, meeting that standard indicates a 65 percent likelihood of achieving a B-average or higher during the first year of college; which, in turn, is indicative of a high likelihood of college success and completion.
"The SAT is the national leader in assessing college readiness, and students who meet the College Boards college readiness benchmark are more likely to enroll in, succeed and graduate from college," said Gaston Caperton, a former West Virginia governor and president of the College Board, in a statement released on Wednesday. "Ensuring that students are ready to attend and complete college provides them with the competitive advantage they need to successfully compete in the global economy, which is critical to the future of our nation."
The Obama administration cheered the news that more students are taking the test, but noted that more students needed to pass the benchmark.
"In todays knowledge-based global economy, it's more critical than ever that American students are adequately prepared to pursue advanced degrees and compete for the jobs of the future, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a statement released Wednesday. "Growing participation in the SAT is an encouraging sign that more students are taking the necessary steps toward enrolling in higher education. But the overall preparedness rate from these SAT results reinforces the need to invest in reforms that prepare more students for success in college."
The average national score last year in the three combined sections was 1,500, garnered from average scores of 497 in critical reading, 514 in mathematics and 489 in writing. Florida trailed the national average across the board last year -- 487 in critical reading, 489 in mathematics and 471 in writing, leading to a total of 1,447.
That represented a drop of 26 points from the previous year, when scores were 496 in critical reading, 498 in mathematics and 479 in writing, for a total of 1,473.
Robinson insisted in a statement released on Wednesday that average scores in the state suffered because more students took the test -- a fact he celebrated.
Todays release of Floridas SAT results brings with it very positive news regarding the participation of our students on this important college entrance exam, Robinson said.
According to the College Boards report, nearly 12,000 additional public school students took the exam last year in Florida, highlighting the excellent work going on to introduce more students to the college-going process.
As Florida continues to raise its standards toward college and career readiness, some temporary decreases in overall performance may occur as increased numbers of students acclimate to higher expectations and increased rigor, added Robinson. This is the case with Floridas average SAT scores, which declined significantly this year in all three tested subject areas. Although performance decreases are never welcome, our transition to higher standards is critical if we are to graduate all our students with the skills and knowledge they need to find success at the next level."
Robinson added that more students in the Sunshine State are taking advanced placement courses, which allows them to test for college credit.
Although not part of the SAT report, preliminary advanced placement results show increases in both the participation and performance of our students on these exams, Robinson said. This positive trend has been growing in intensity over the years and is a direct result of our emphasis on encouraging more students to tap into their academic potential. I am confident that a similar positive trend will take place with our SAT results as our commitment to the increased college and career readiness of our students continues to take root throughout our schools.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
