CCSD's SAT Woes: Playing Catch Up

Here are the CCSD high schools that managed to meet or exceed the national average of 1511 on the 2008 SAT:

• Academic Magnet 1855
  

• School of the Arts 1,608

• James Island 1,513

• Wando 1,569

That's four out of 15 high schools. Not surprisingly, South Carolina retained its seat in the bottom four in the nation, surpassing only DC, Hawaii, and Maine (where every senior must take the test). We can make excuses for this poor showing by saying that more than 50 percent of seniors take the test in only 22 states, but don't forget--that's students who make it to their senior year. What would happen if the dropout rates for the states were factored into the equation? Why do I think SC and DC would be vying for last? And where does Charleston rank among those 22 states where more than half do take the test?

Speaking of questions, SC's two-point increase overall includes the scores of ALL students, not just those in public schools. What was it without them? If the P & C prints the scores for all public high schools, why does it not print those for others?

Parents might be interested in this paragraph from the report in USA Today:

"But the College Board released data Tuesday suggesting that scores on the newest portion of the exam [Writing Skills] are the most accurate gauge of first-year success in college. Studies by the University of Georgia and the University of California support the group's findings, it reported."

No surprise there to English teachers. Those who can write clearly can think clearly.