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College entrance test scores up in WISD, down in AISD for 2008
SAT Scores
Texas Scores National Scores
Students Testing 137,024 1,518,859
• Reading 488 502
• Math 505 515
• Writing 480 494
Total Composite 1,473 1,511
Big Country test scores by subject area
AISD Scores 2007 2008
Students testing 432 417 n Reading 500 489
• Math 516 499
nWriting 489 477
Total Composite 1,505 1,465
WISD Scores 2007 2008
Students testing 117 118 n Reading 505 521
• Math 530 538
• Writing 497 504
Total Composite 1,532 1,563
Source: School districts
ACT vs. SAT
Most colleges will accept either the ACT or the SAT, so many students take both to optimize their scoring options, which can affect many things, including scholarships.
The ACT measures what a student has learned with scoring based on the number of correct answers with no deduction for incorrect answers. The SAT is an aptitude reasoning test that measures students' knowledge and the application of that knowledge and deducts for incorrect answers.
-- Rebel Taylor
More Education The average composite SAT score for high school students in the Abilene Independent School District was below the state and national average this year.
The 417 AISD students who took the SAT college entrance exam in 2008 had an average composite score of 1,465 -- a 40-point drop from last year. The average state score this year was 1,473, and the national average was 1,511, according to information released Tuesday.
A perfect score is 2,400.
There were 118 Wylie High School students who took the SAT this year, and their average composite score was 1,563, a 31-point rise from last year.
"We are very pleased," said Brenda Sandifer, Wylie's guidance counselor. "Our students did an outstanding job and continue to improve each year."
Wylie ISD, in southern Abilene, has one high school with about 900 students.
Abilene ISD has a more diverse makeup of about 4,500 high school students.
Dr. David Polnick, AISD superintendent, said school officials are not content with their test scores.
"AISD is disappointed in the slight drop in SAT scores. We know the length of the new SAT test has increased significantly, and some research shows a fatigue factor on the part of the students," he said.
The SAT test measures skills in reading, math and writing.
Polnick said students will be encouraged to take courses that will not only challenge them but prepare them for success in college.
"This one factor will have the most positive effect on our college entrance scores and more importantly on the success of our students in college," he said.
Recently released scores for the ACT college entrance exam showed AISD and WISD students increased test scores even though scores dropped slightly nationally.
Although national SAT scores changed little from last year, the College Board Web site reports a record number of more than 1.5 million students taking that test this year. This is an 8 percent increase in the last five years and a 29.5 percent increase in the past 10 years.
The College Board reported significant national increases in minorities testing.
AISD reports reveal 19 percent of those testing were Hispanic or Mexican-American, 8 percent African-American, about 60 percent white and the other 13 percent were of Asian decent, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander or gave no response.
WISD did not have minority information of test takers available.
SAT and ACT are nationally administered standardized tests used by colleges and universities to evaluate applicants. Generally, colleges will accept either test and encourage students to take both to optimize their scoring options, which can affect scholarships.
In a recent interview, Baum said Texas students tend to take the SAT over the ACT, but he encourages students to take both to give themselves the best scoring opportunities.
SAT is an aptitude reasoning test that measures knowledge and the application of that knowledge and deducts for incorrect answers. ACT is an achievement testing test measuring what a student has learned in school with scoring based on the number of correct answers with no deduction for incorrect answers.
Posted by Tumbleweed on August 27, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the test AISD should be focusing on instead of a career center. This is shameful.
Posted by rampbrat on August 27, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I attribute the drop to more dual credit and less AP courses taken. The AP program is a vigorous college prep program, but now the local universities are offering the same courses to high school kids, just not at the same level. The kids in our youth group were comparing notes and it was obvious from the work load and the information covered that these college courses are blow offs compared to the AP. But most folks just want the points and credit and they will get it the easiest way possible. My kids took AP courses. Not only were their SAT scores better, they did better when they enrolled in college then a lot of kids I know. It's not that my kids were that much smarter; they were just better prepared!
And Tumbleweed, most of the students in AISD won't go to college. They will go directly into the workforce, into the military, or to technical school. Shouldn't we be focusing on the majority?
Posted by whatif on August 27, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did you notice just how many students chose to take this exam? Their scores would get them in most universities, these are not the one's who will hang around and look for low paying jobs. It's the other (majority) students who need other choices. Or would you prefer to continue the cycle that is happening today and complain about your tax dollares being wasted taking care of another loser, welfare queen, homeboy, lazy, the apple that dosen't fall far from the tree or whatever you want to call the non-degreed student? As I see it, there ain't no way that every student in every high school in Abilene will go to college. The ones that are left behind without any training will depend on us more and more. Closing one's eyes dosen't make a problem go away.
Posted by Tumbleweed on August 27, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
whatif - It's not the tax payers job to pay for an untrained person to enter the work force. High school is not the answer to all of societies problem.
Posted by unsub on August 27, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's the same song, with a different verse.
Not getting better, just keeps getting worse.
First the TAKS, the ACT, and the SAT.
It's got to be the test, with no accountability.
That's it! We need new tests and success we shall see! :)
Posted by whatuthink on August 27, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tumbleweed- It might not be the tax payers job to pay for an untrained person to enter the work force. I would rather pay to help them work then pay for the rest of their lives to let them sleep and watch T.V.
Posted by mbs0606 on August 27, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
whatuthink- I'll tell you what I think. I take personal offense to your above comment about people joining the workforce, instead of college, as losers.
"I would rather pay to help them work then pay for the rest of their lives to let them sleep and watch T.V."
Aren't people in the work force THE taxpayers, no matter how much they make?
You are stepping on some toes here.
Posted by Tumbleweed on August 27, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
think - why pay them to sleep and watch tv?
Posted by whocares on August 27, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did anyone pick up on the line "Abilene ISD has a more diverse makeup of about 4,500 high school students" being used as an excuse?
What happened to diversity makes us stronger? There are only possible conclusion to the logic used in that statement:
1) Either AISD is arguing that "diversity" means that African Americans, Hispanic-heritage Caucasians, Pacific Islanders, or whatever else they lump into "diverse" are not as genetically capable of scoring higher on the SAT at Wylie's less "diverse" (assumed Western European-heritage Caucasians) - or
2) AISD is not as good of a school as Wylie.
Since this line was being used as an excuse to not imply statement 2, than 1 is the only logical implication of that statement. I would encourage ARN to actually follow up on that statement, because someone in AISD (assuming it was not added by Rebel Taylor, the reporter of record) appears to be using raciest excuses to address serious educational problems in AISD!
Posted by whatuthink on August 27, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What are you talking about mbs0606 I told Tumbleweed I would rather pay for an untrained person to receive training in order to get a job rather then leave them untrained and on the welfare rolls for ever. Never did I say anything about them being losers. The sleep and watch T. V refers to those living off the government.
Posted by mbs0606 on August 27, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whatuthink- I guess I took what you said differently than the point you were trying to get across. But I surely agree with you. I can't stand to see a lady in the grocery store with WIC, food stamps and a Lone star card, with 6 kids, buying them nothing but junk food with OUR money. Now that I know what you were getting at, I 100% agree with you.
Posted by whatif on August 27, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whatuthink, what's the old saying? Teach a man how to fish....
Posted by Tumbleweed on August 27, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
whatuthink - why let anyone live off the government? You a proposing two live off the government programs. Cut all welfare programs and watch how many people that can't work or find work all of a sudden have a job.
Posted by rampbrat on August 27, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Diversity is good, but we're not just talking about ethnic diversity, we're talking about economic diversity. And that does play a roll in kids learning. Every study shows it.
AISD also has a large number of refugee students, many who speak little English and have suffered persecution and unbelievable deprivation in their former homelands. Diversity comes with its own set of problems.
Posted by Reagan_Bush08 on August 27, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tumbleweed hit the nail on the head. Do away with welfare completely!
Posted by dlmjam on August 27, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My last child took AP courses and dual credit course. Got an average score on the SAT and did very well on the ACT. She 'passed' all of her English AP tests. And the dual credit classes she took were no 'blow offs'. That is not to say there are not any dual credit classes that are 'blow offs' but I think it all depends on what the child with help from the parent(s) choose to take. To me, AP courses combined with challenging dual credit courses is better than just AP courses.
Posted by whatuthink on August 27, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tumbleweed and Reagan-Bush08- I don't think congress would go for that. What about you can not vote until you are off welfare. I'm also for flat tax and term limits for congress.
Posted by greygoose23 on August 27, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Refugee students are often top students both in hs and college.
Posted by rampbrat on August 28, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
greygoose -- yes, once they have a good grasp of the language. Most I have met have a great work ethic, but many have also been traumatized and it does take some time to adjust.
Posted by golf4food on August 28, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Economic diversity has always been an issue. Look at the free lunch numbers in AISD. It's a fact that those kids, as a group face more issues and it affects school performance. Wylie largely doesn't have to deal with it. Both districts provide a quality education(far better than the one I got). I have a kid in AISD who scored very high on the SAT in large part due to AP courses and generally guality teachers. A great education is available to all in AISD and Wylie if you want it and will work for it. Quit dumping on the district and look to the real problem, parents who don't care.
Posted by wild_bill on August 29, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good point golf4food. Most folks get about as much out of something as they put into it. I got a great education at Wylie. So did my kids and grandkids. I was able to "CLEP" out on most of my Freshman couses at McMurry thanks to what I learned while going to Wylie and that was a long time before AP or dual-credit courses were even heard of. I wasn't the only Wylie student to go on to college either.
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