Georgia’s average SAT score fell six points last year, despite a state push to expose students to more rigorous courses.
The state’s public, private and home school students scored an average of 1445, down from 1451 in 2010.
Georgia’s score trailed the national average of 1500, which also was down six points. The College Board, a nonprofit that runs the test, said the scores reflect the record size and diversity of the pool of test-takers.
Georgia’s score was 48th among states, unchanged. The College Board discourages such rankings, citing huge differences in participation rates. While 80 percent of Georgia seniors took the SAT last year -- the nation’s 5th-highest participation rate -- only 5 percent did in top-ranked Illinois.
The average math score in Georgia was 487, down two points from 2010. Critical reading fell three points to 485, while writing dipped one point to 473.
While the test is encouraged as a gateway to college, State Superintendent John Barge suggested many students took the SAT who didn’t need to.
“It’s good that we have so many students aspiring to go to college,” Barge said. “However, I believe we have to do a better job of educating our students as to what exam is needed to get into the appropriate post-secondary institution.
“We have far more students taking the SAT than the number of students going to four-year universities. Many of our post-secondary institutions don’t require the SAT. “
The number of students taking the SAT is up 18 percent since 2007. Officials at the College Board applauded the high participation.
“That is a huge, huge number,” said Jenny Krugman, Vice President of the College Board’s Southern Region. “By throwing the doors open Georgia has made a commitment to real college going, to real career readiness for all students, not a select few.”
Of the state’s 2011 college-bound seniors, 46 percent were minority students compared to 45 percent in 2010 and 39 percent in 2007. African American test takers increased 6 percent over 2010 and 42 percent since 2007. Hispanic test takers increased 14 percent since 2010 and 75 percent since 2007.
Whites in Georgia public schools scored 1530 on average, 36 points below the national average among whites. African Americans in Georgia scored 1268 on average, 5 points better than the national average for African Americans. Hispanics in Georgia scored 1398, 52 points better than the group nationally.
Barge noted that the gaps between whites and blacks and whites and Hispanics is smaller for Georgia than nationally.
State officials are optimistic SAT scores will begin to rebound for the Class of 2012 , which tackled a higher-level math curriculum.
Other initiatives that could boost scores include the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards, which will bring the state’s curriculum in line with national standards, and more information for students about appropriate post-secondary tests.
In Cobb County, the biggest jump on the SAT occurred at Osborne High School in Marietta, where students scored a 1246, up 52 points. Teachers there worked on teams focused on improving performance.
Osborne has one of Cobb’s most diverse students bodies, with Latinos making up more than 50 percent of the population, followed by African-Americans at 40 percent.
“The teachers have taken initiative in looking at the data to improve instruction,” said Josh Morreale, who has been the school’s principal for three months. “They are doing data teams, where a group of teachers get together to look at test scores and standards, which has been a huge key in the growth across the board.”
The state’s top performer, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, had an average score of 1914. The school of 707 students has a 100 percent college acceptance rate. The Class of 2011 was 39 percent Caucasian; 37.8 percent Asian; 12.6 African American and 7.2 percent Hispanic.
“It’s a great group of kids and they are going to represent our region well,” principal Jeff Matthews said, noting the school placed students at Yale, MIT and Georgetown.
GSMST unseated Northview High in North Fulton County, which had the state’s highest average for several years. It still posted metro Atlanta’s top score among traditional public schools, at 1751, up 23 points.
“The kids are just so competitive with each other,” said Tiffany Butera, Northview’s assistant principal for curriculum. “They have their eyes set on their college option when they come to us from middle school. They really try to create their transcript to fit those top colleges. Here peer pressure is to take very rigorous academic courses.”
Alpharetta High’s improvement plan includes exposing more students to AP classes and other college-prep opportunities. The school, which posted a score of 1679, offers SAT test prep during the day as an elective.
“We are working with teachers to ensure that they have the training to support students who are pushing themselves,” said principal Shannon Kersey.
At Grady High in Atlanta, three parent volunteers started the College and Career Connection center three years ago to provide information about SAT prep and college applications. Some of the students helped by the center were the first in their families accepted to college.
Grady student Quameiha Grandoit, 17, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, said the effort is helping her to find the college of her dreams, and her score of 1750 won’t hurt.
“I just met with (a recruiter from) Tulane,” she said. “Yesterday I interviewed with USC. Yale is going to be here in October or November. They are helping me to find the school that fits my personality.’’
Contributing: Ty Tagami and Ernie Suggs
About the Author
