Class of 2006 Combined Score of 1634 Surpasses
National and State Scores by More Than 115 Points

The first Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) graduating class to take the new SAT scored significantly higher on the revised and lengthened exam than other graduates in Maryland and across the nation, according to College Board data released Tuesday. The Class of 2006’s combined SAT score of 1634 topped the average Maryland score by 123 points and the average national score by 116 points.

The new SAT results follow recent high achievement by MCPS students on the ACT, an alternative to the SAT, and the highest-ever performance on the Maryland High School Assessments (HSAs). All three exams showed Montgomery County well above the average student performance in Maryland, with the average ACT score above national performance levels.

“Our students on average outscored the state and nation by greater margins this year on the new SAT compared with previous years, which indicates that students and high schools in our county are continuing to move in the right direction,” said Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of schools. “However, we know we have work to do to build on our progress. We’ll use this new test data as a baseline and look for ways to help all students improve their performance on the exam in the coming years, especially African American and Hispanic students.”

At two MCPS high schools, students’ average combined scores exceeded the 1800 mark on the new SAT; at six, combined scores higher than 1650 were achieved; and at 18 high schools, average scores were higher than 1500, an MCPS analysis of the test data showed.

New SAT Has Top Score of 2400

The College Board began administering a completely revamped SAT in March 2005 that includes a new writing component, which increased the top achievable score to 2400. In addition, the math and verbal subtests were significantly revised. The old verbal subtest was replaced with a new critical reading test that added shorter reading passages and eliminated the analogies items. The math portion of the exam eliminated quantitative comparisons and added Algebra 2 material.

Altogether, the new SAT was taken by 7,191 graduating seniors in MCPS, producing a participation rate of 75.8 percent, which was not significantly different from the historic high participation rate of 76.5 percent set by the Class of 2005. However, what is significant is that both College Board and MCPS data show that fewer students nationally and locally chose to retake the new SAT compared with previous years. The decrease in repeat test taking could contribute to a decrease of several points in average SAT scores because repeat test takers tend to improve their scores. Researchers suggest that some of the decline in retesting may be due to an increase in the test length because of the addition of the writing subtest as well as perceptions among students that the new test is too difficult. It appears that students who in the past would have likely retaken the test were satisfied with lower scores because they did not want to endure another administration of the longer test.

Average scores were 1360 for African American students, 1710 for Asian American students, 1410 for Hispanic students, and 1735 for white students. Other data reported include average scores of students impacted by poverty (1316), English language proficiency (1148), and those receiving special education services (1383). Academic gains being made in MCPS will help continue to improve these results.

Other Test Scores Reflect High Achievement Levels

Last week, data released by the Maryland State Department of Education showed that MCPS achieved the highest-ever passing rates on three Maryland HSAs last spring—boosted significantly by continued improvement among African American and Hispanic students, who reached an all-time highest passing rate of about 60 percent or greater in Algebra, Biology, and Government.

The systemwide improvements on the HSAs also reflect substantial gains made by students with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, and students participating in the Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS). Each group reached the highest performance levels ever on all three tests—as the school system continues working to narrow the achievement gap by race and ethnicity and special services, while also raising standards and expectations for all students. In fact, all groups of students achieved the highest-ever passing rates on all three tests, with Asian American and White students scoring passing rates of 89 percent or better on each exam.

Earlier this month, a report outlining the achievement on the ACT assessment of college readiness by the Class of 2006 showed MCPS students performing consistently above Maryland and national averages in all sections of the test.

The ACT is taken by some students applying to college as an alternative to the SAT. It consists of assessments in English, mathematics, reading, and science that are designed to measure skills needed for success in first-year college coursework. The average composite score for MCPS students was 23.1, compared to a state average of 21.4 and a national average of 21.1.

Because 2006 is a baseline year for the new SAT, MCPS will continue to study the data and set new performance targets both for participation and performance.