District-Level Scores
School-Level Scores
October 7, 2014 -- Georgia saw slight
year-to-year drops in its SAT scores as more seniors
took the test, 2014 score reports indicate.
In
math and critical reading, scores dropped by two points. In writing, scores
dropped by three points. The mean score for critical reading was 488 in 2014,
with mean scores of 485 for math and 472 for writing.
“Do
we want to see scores go up every year? Absolutely,” State School
Superintendent Dr. John Barge said. “However, we know that as more Georgia
students take the SAT, we will sometimes see slight decreases. The measures are
in place to better prepare students for college and 21st-century careers and,
by extension, the SAT. The gains in scores will come.”
Seventy-seven
percent of Georgia seniors – 73,626 in total –
took the SAT in 2014. That is a 2.1 percent increase compared to 2013, and more
minority students are taking the test – both positive indicators that greater
numbers of students are pursuing higher education opportunities.
The
number of seniors taking the SAT increased by
7.5 percent among Asian students, 4.9 percent among black students, 12.5
percent among Mexican American students, 11.4 percent among Puerto Rican
students, and 9.7 percent among other Hispanic students. Of those Georgia seniors who took the exam, 47.9 percent (or 35,270
students) were minority students, compared to 46.1 percent from the class of
2013.
On
the PSAT, 34,036 Georgia eleventh-graders took the test, outscoring the nation
in reading, math, and writing. Georgia juniors
recorded mean scores of 48.8 in critical reading, 49.5 in math, and 47.9 in
writing. The math score increased by 0.4 points year-to-year, while the reading
score decreased by 0.1 percent and the writing score decreased by 0.7 percent.
Georgia
sophomores taking the PSAT recorded mean scores of 40.5 in critical reading,
41.3 in mathematics, and 39.7 in writing. The math score saw a 0.2 percent increase,
while the reading score and writing mean scores each decreased by 0.7 percent.
Data
released by the College Board along with PSAT and SAT score reports give some
indication of where Georgia’s college-bound students are heading. Among 2013
high school graduates who took one of the College Board’s tests – the SAT, the
PSAT, or an AP exam – 57.2 percent were known to be enrolled in college. Many
of those students – 79.8 percent – chose to enroll in Georgia universities.
The
2014 data also offer a look at students’ post-secondary plans, since SAT
test-takers tell the College Board where to send their scores. The University
of Georgia received the highest percentage (30.5 percent) of student score
sends, followed by Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia
Tech, Valdosta State, the University of West Georgia, Georgia College and State
University, the Duke University Talent Identification Program, and Georgia
Gwinnett College, in that order.
Quick
Facts:
·
73,626
Georgia students in the class of 2014 took the SAT, compared to 72,119 last
year
·
In
other words: 77.2 percent of Georgia students from the class of 2014 took the
SAT
·
Of
those Georgia students who took the exam, 47.9 percent (35,720 students) were
minority students, compared to 46.1 percent (33,243 students) from the class of
2013
·
In
Georgia in 2013, 179,736 students took the PSAT/NMSQT
·
Among
Georgia’s 10th-grade public school students, 80.2 percent participated in the PSAT/NMSQT
last year. This compares to 38.3 percent of 10th-grade public school students
nationally
·
In
Georgia, 87,155 minority students participated in the 2013 PSAT administration.
This represents 48.5 percent of Georgia test-takers.
