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Tuesday, August 28, 2007
We’re No. 46, Again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s average SAT scores declined this year — from a combined score of 1477 last year to 1472 this year, out of a possible 2400 — but the Peach State’s ranking nationally held steady at 46.
I’m still combing through the data the College Board released this morning, but here’s some initial information:
The state’s average score on the Critical Reading portion of the test remained at 494 points, on a scale ranging from 200 to 800 points.
The average score on the Mathematics part of the test dipped a point to 495.
Georgia’s mean score on the Writing section — credited with lifting our ranking last year — dropped four points to 483.
Although the state’s SAT scores declined on nearly every section of the college-entrance exam this year, the U.S. scores also fell across the board. But with a ranking of 46, it’s not surprising that Georgians’ scores remain lackluster when compared to the national averages of 502 in reading, 515 in math and 494 in writing.
The question of the day: How much do you care that Georgia’s SAT scores remain near the bottom?
UPDATE: I thought you would like to see what our elected luminaries have to say about the latest scores.
Gov. Sonny Perdue, in a press release from his office, said:
“While we never like to gain ground by allowing our scores to go down, Georgia was again able to close the gap with the national average, continuing a positive trend for the sixth year in a row.”
Later in the release he said: “Despite the fact that Georgia’s score did not drop at the same rate the national scores dropped, and Georgia held steady its national ranking of 46, we will not be satisfied until Georgia’s SAT scores reflect the quality of education that is being provided to students in our state every day.”
In her own press release, state Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox sounded a similar refrain: “Georgia’s high school seniors kept pace with the nation … which is good news. Of course, we won’t be satisfied until Georgia is a leader in SAT performance.”
