D.C. area students buck trend on SAT

Most school systems in the D.C. area reported SAT scores slightly above the national average, despite a sharp decline in scores that officials attributed to a newly revised exam and to fewer students electing to retake the test.

The class of 2006 was the first to take the newly revised SAT, which features a critical reading subtest in place of the verbal section, as well as an expanded math section. Officials also added a writing test, increasing the total possible SAT score from 1600 to 2400.

“When a new test is introduced, students usually vary their test-taking behavior in a variety of ways, and this affects scores,” said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board, which administers the SAT.

The national average scores were 518 in math and 503 in critical reading, down two points and five points, respectively, from last year. The national writing average was 497.

College Board officials said fatigue wasn’t a factor in the decline in scores nationally. Some had predicted that the extra 45 minutes needed to complete the writing portion of the exam — which was already three hours long — would cause scores to decrease.

“The addition of writing has made the SAT a better measure of the skills students need to succeed in college and later in life,” Mr. Caperton said. “We will continue to work with schools and colleges to encourage high standards and a great focus on writing in the classroom.”

In Maryland, 45,231 test-takers posted an average math score of 509 and an average reading score of 503, a decrease of six and five points from last year. The average writing score in the state was 499.

“The new SAT is a much different assessment,” Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick said. “It is longer and appears to be far more difficult than the previous exam for many students.”

Montgomery County students’ overall average score of 1,634 surpassed the state average of 1,511 and the national average of 1,518.

In Prince George’s County, students posted an average reading score of 437, down five points from last year, and an average math score of 425, down 10 points from last year. The county’s writing score was 433.

County schools spokesman John White said the decline in scores is evidence supporting proposals by new schools chief John Deasy to provide training for teachers on SAT preparation, free PSAT testing for all 10th- and 11th-graders and free SAT testing for 11th-graders who are income eligible.

“This is a base line from which our new CEO can help us build and improve upon,” Mr. White said.

Virginia also saw its critical reading and math scores fall overall this year. The average math score was 513, down one point from last year, while the average critical reading score was 512, a four-point decrease. The state’s average writing score was 500.

Billy K. Cannaday Jr., the state superintendent of public instruction, said the decline was because fewer students took the SAT a second time. Thirty-seven percent of Virginia public school students took the SAT only once in 2005-06, compared with 33 percent in 2004-05.

“We may find ourselves looking back on these results as a new base line because of the significant changes made to the test,” Mr. Cannaday said.

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