Gwinnett schools top state, national averages

SAT scores released last week by The College Board show the Gwinnett County School System has topped state and national averages.

Overall, Gwinnett County's composite SAT score of 1521 is higher than the state average (1466), and the national average (1511). The top score possible on the SAT is 2400, based on three sections worth 800 points each.

About 82 percent of Gwinnett seniors took the test, which is a higher percentage than in the state or nation. Nationally, test scores averaged 1511. Across Georgia the average score was 1466.

Average scores on each of the three test components were: critical reading, 504; math, 522; writing, 495. Gwinnett bested national averages on each section.

Local high school scores included: Duluth High, 1580; North Gwinnett, 1548; Peachtree Ridge, 1544.

College Board discourages state ranking
The College Board released the 2008 test scores with a caution to journalists to avoid ranking states based on scores alone. The board reasons that making comparisons based on scores alone does not take into account that some states test only a small percentage of students, while others, such as Georgia, have a high rate of participation which tends to lower the overall score.

"We've had a lot of requests from the media for a state ranking, but we are not presenting the data in that way [at this time]," said an official with the College Board.

Based on scores alone, Georgia ranks 47th out of the 50 states.

Taking into consideration only the 22 states which tested more than half of their graduating seniors, Georgia students don't fare much better; ranking 18th. Only students from the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine and South Carolina ranked lower.

The SAT is the most widely taken standardized college admissions test in the US, with more than 1.5 million high school students taking the test in 2008.

The ACT is the preferred test for many Midwestern states, with approximately 1.3 tests taken last year.

In Georgia, about 38 percent of graduating seniors now take the ACT, compared with nearly 70 percent taking the SAT.

A look at the map of the US shows strong preference for the ACT among states in the mid-section of the country, with the SAT the preferred college test along both coasts.

Therefore, SAT scores from students taking the test in ACT-favored states such as South Dakota, where fewer than 300 students took the 2008 SAT, are generally high.

The SAT score from South Dakota was 1,766, compared to the national average of 1511. The students taking the SAT tests are likely high-performing students headed to top colleges who are taking both tests.

Georgia tested more than 62,000 public, private and home-schooled students last year and had an overall SAT average of 1,466.

Taking into consideration scores from public school students alone (51,591 tests) the average score drops slightly to 1453.

Though Georgia has improved its overall SAT score over the past several years, a 47th finish is nothing to brag about, say state officials, and the low scores demonstrate the need to continue the push for more rigorous standards, especially in math.

Officials with the Georgia Department of Education say it is expected the results on the SAT and all tests will improve as the state continues the implementation of its more rigorous curriculum and new graduation requirements.

The new graduation requirement calls for all students to take four years of mathematics and science.

While there has been criticism leveled at the state's new math curriculum, the low SAT math scores – 22 points below the national average – cannot be attributed to the change.

The new math was not implemented at high school until this year, meaning it will be at least two years before students in the new math curriculum will take the SAT.

Even Georgia students who took higher level mathematics classes trailed the national average when compared to other advanced math students.

"Our mathematics scores are like an anchor -- they are weighing us down and keeping us from moving up as a state," said State School Superintendent Kathy Cox. "I know the state's new mathematics curriculum and the graduation rule requirements will better prepare students for the SAT, for post-secondary education and for the world of work."
- www.gwinnettherald.com

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