August 28, 2007 The College Board released results of the SAT for 2007 today, revealing a decline in scores at the district, state and national levels. Horry County Schools’ composite of scores for critical reading and math is 1001, which is 17 points above the state average of 984 and 16 points below the national average of 1017. The Academy for Arts, Science and Technology and Carolina Forest High School are both above the national average for the critical reading and math composite. The district saw a nine-point decrease in a year where the number of test-takers increased by one-tenth. District-wide, 930 students, or 43 percent of the senior class, took the test compared to 842 in 2006. As a state, South Carolina had one-point decrease for 2007, while the national average dropped four points. Despite the one-point decline, South Carolina’s 10-year improvement of 31 points remains the nation’s best among states where more than half of high school seniors take the test. Statewide, more than 24,000, or 62 percent, of high school seniors took the SAT. Nationally, 1.5 million seniors took the test. HCS seniors averaged 492 in critical reading and 510 in math tests. Statewide, seniors averaged 488 in critical reading and 496 in math tests. Nationally, seniors averaged 502 in critical reading and 515 in math tests. In the second year of the writing test, the district average was 481, six points above the state average of 475 and 13 points below the national average of 494. The Academy for Arts, Science and Technology and Carolina Forest High School exceeded the national average in critical reading. Aynor High School, Carolina Forest High School, and Conway High School exceeded the national average in math. The Academy for Arts, Science and Technology, Carolina Forest High School and St. James High School met or exceeded the national average in writing. District students who had taken more rigorous courses had a 43-point lead on their peers when comparing the composite of critical reading and math. These students were identified for having taken 20 or more academic courses at the time of testing, continuing to add creditability to the need for students to take more courses, and more rigorous courses, by the time they register for college entrance exams. In response to disappointing results, each high school in the district will prepare a plan to improve the college readiness of graduates. HCS high schools and their SAT composite scores on critical reading and math tests are as follows: - Academy for Arts, Science and Technology, 1028 in 2007, up 30 points from 998 in 2006;
- Aynor High School, 1005 in 2007, down 46 points from 1051 in 2006;
- Carolina Forest High School, 1030 in 2007, up 20 points from 1010 in 2006;
- Conway High School, 995 in 2007, down 39 points from 1034 in 2006;
- Green Sea Floyds High School, 1001 in 2007, down 42 points from 1043 in 2006;
- Loris High School, 945 in 2007, up 36 points above 909 in 2006;
- Myrtle Beach High School, 991 in 2007, down 35 points from 1026 in 2006;
- North Myrtle Beach High School, 993 in 2007, up two points from 991 in 2006;
- St. James High School, 1004 in 2007, up 30 points from 974 in 2006; and
- Socastee High School, 1001 in 2007, down 33 points from 1034 in 2006.
For more information about the SAT, visit the Horry County Schools website at www.horrycountyschools.net. |
