Marshall Gains on 2007 SAT Scores

Posted by: DMK

at 10:12 pm

Marshall HS One of the FCPS High Schools to Make Significant Gains on 2007 SAT Scores

Several Fairfax County high schools—including South Lakes High, Mount Vernon High, Marshall High, and Stuart High—have made large, statistically significant gains on their 2007 SAT scores, according to figures released today by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Jack D. Dale.  Overall, FCPS students earned a combined average score of 1639 for the total SAT I: Reasoning Test (SAT), posting an average score of 545 on the Critical Reading section, 559 on the Mathematics section, and 535 on the Writing section. The average scores represent tests taken by FCPS seniors from the class of 2007 and include the scores of students who are not enrolled in FCPS but take the test in Fairfax County high schools.

Students at South Lakes High made the most impressive SAT gains, raising their school's average Critical Reading score by 15 points, their school's average Mathematics score by 12 points, and their school's average Writing score by 19 points.  Mount Vernon High students improved their school's average score in Critical Reading by 28 points, their school's average Mathematics score by 9 points, and their school's average Writing score by 15 points.  Students from Stuart High improved their school's average Critical Reading score by 20 points, their school's average Mathematics score by 4 points, and their school's average Writing score by 11 points, while Marshall High students improved their school's average Critical Reading score by 10 points, their school's average Mathematics score by 9 points, and their school's average Writing score by 12 points.

According to figures compiled by the College Board, which administers the SAT, FCPS students once again scored much higher on the Mathematics section than students across the nation and in Virginia, with an average score of 559, compared to 515 nationally and 511 statewide.  On the Critical Reading section of the SAT, FCPS students also scored significantly higher than students in the nation and in Virginia with an average score of 545, compared to 502 nationwide and 511 statewide.  On the Writing section—in its second year as part of the SAT—FCPS students also scored significantly higher than students in the nation and in Virginia with an average score of 535, compared to 494 nationwide and 498 statewide.  The Critical Reading and Writing average scores for FCPS in 2007 stayed the same when compared to 2006, and the Math scores showed a decrease of four points compared to 2006. 

"The majority of our high schools posted gains in at least one section of the 2007 SAT," said Dale.  "Several of our high schools made gains in multiple sections, an impressive accomplishment. Our Asian students' scores have risen in all three sections, and our Black students have improved their Critical Reading scores."

Following are highlights of the SAT results for FCPS, using College Board-reported data:

• FCPS Asian students' scores increased from 2006 to 2007 by 7 points on the Critical Reading section, and 1 point on the Math section, as well as 4 points in Writing.
• FCPS Black students' scores increased by 2 points on the Critical Reading section, decreased by 3 points on the Math section, and went up by 4 points in Writing.
• FCPS Hispanic students' scores decreased by 2 points on the Critical Reading section, remained the same in Math, and decreased by 4 points in Writing.
• FCPS White students' scores decreased by 3 points on the Critical Reading section and 6 points on the Math section as well as 1 point in Writing.
• When compared with 2006 scores, the FCPS average Critical Reading score remained constant, the average Math score decreased 4 points, and the average score remained the same in Writing.
• The national Critical Reading average decreased by 1 point from 2006 to 2007; the Math average decreased by 3 points and the Writing by 3 points.
• In Virginia, the average Critical Reading score decreased by 1 point, the average Math score decreased 2 points, and the average Writing score decreased by 2 points.
• FCPS students exceeded the national average in Critical Reading by 43 points, in Math by 44 points, and in Writing by 41 points.
• FCPS students exceeded the statewide average in Critical Reading by 34 points, in Math by 48 points, and in Writing by 37 points. 
• Critical Reading, Writing, and Math scores for all FCPS ethnic groups exceeded all national and state averages for ethnic groups.
• FCPS Asian students' scores exceeded national Asian students' scores by 22 points on the Critical Reading section, by 20 points in Writing, and by 16 points on the Math section.
• FCPS Black students' scores exceeded national Black students' scores by 37 points on the Critical Reading section, 32 points in Writing, and 35 points on the Math section.
• FCPS Hispanic students' scores exceeded national Hispanic students' scores by 36 points on the Critical Reading section, 31 points in Writing, and 40 points on the Math section. 
• FCPS White students' scores exceeded national White students' scores by 38 points on the Critical Reading section, by 36 points in Writing as in 2006, and by 36 points on the Math section.

Source: FCPS website