Friday, September 1, 2006

Valley SAT scores below state average


By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

Overall, Wood River High School students scored well, although slightly lower than their peers across the state, on the College Board's new version of the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

"They tested quite a few students, which means they are not just testing the top 10 percent. The vast majority of their students appear to have taken the test, which would change the score a little bit," said Jennifer Oxley, a State Department of Education spokeswoman.

Of the school's 207 graduates this year, 138 students, or 67 percent, took the revised SAT college entrance exam. In 2005, the board added a writing section, a new math section with quantitative comparisons, and a new critical reading section.

The latest results showed that:

· The average (mean) Wood River High School critical reading score was 514 out of 800, compared to 543 among Idaho students. The national average reading score was 503.

· The average (mean) Wood River High School math score was 513 out of 800, compared to 545 among Idaho students. The national average math score was 518.

· The average (mean) Wood River High School writing test score was 523 out of 800, compared to 525 among Idaho students. The national average writing score was 497. This is the first year that SAT offered a writing test, which was optional for students.

The new writing category asked students to write an essay in response to an issue and support their position, with reasoning and examples taken from reading, studies, experience, or observations. Two readers scored each essay.

The reported scores account for SAT tests taken by all 2006 graduates. If students take the test as freshmen, sophomores or juniors, the scores are held to compile data for graduating classes. If students take the test multiple times, the highest scores are used in the overall calculation.

In conjunction with the SAT results, the College Board released Advanced Placement test results. Passing an AP test allows a student to enter most colleges with college credits.

Locally, 70 Wood River High School students took the AP tests. In total, 101 tests were taken in various subject areas. Of the total tests, 67 earned passing marks.




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