August 31, 2004
Verbal and Mathematics Scores on SAT Reasoning
Test Show Increases by California SAT I Test Takers
SACRAMENTO — California's public high school class of 2004 showed steady progress for both the verbal and math portions of the SAT Reasoning Test, improving by an aggregated total of 3 points in the past year, according to figures released today by The College Board.
"I am pleased that the California students who are taking these tests continue to do better," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. "Now we need to focus on raising the sights for all our high school students, so that every student will have the option of pursuing a college path."
The state's public high school scores for the verbal section of the SAT increased two points — from 494 to 496 — over last year, while math scores increased one point — from 518 to 519. Nationally, the average verbal score for public school students was 504 and math was 513.
The number of SAT takers in California public schools declined slightly from last year. More than 139,000 California public high school students took the college entrance exam, slightly less than the 141,000 who took the test last year.
Both male and female students had increased scores on both the SAT verbal and the mathematics tests, the males by an aggregate of 2 points and the females by 3 points. The increase in female test scores was greater for the verbal test. Scores also increased on both exams for African American, American Indian, and Hispanic American students.
For more information on the performance of the state's high school students on the SAT, the California Department of Education's Web site Postsecondary Preparation will be updated October 15, 2004. National SAT results are posted at http://www.collegeboard.com (Outside Source).