Florida kids defy dip in SAT scores in U.S.

By RON MATUS, Times Staff Writer
Published August 29, 2007

---

Flat SAT scores for this year's Florida graduates wouldn't seem to be good news, except by comparison to national scores, which dropped, again.

Florida's 2007 graduates did 1 point better on reading and 1 point worse in math and writing than last year's cohort, according to data released Tuesday by the College Board, which oversees the SAT.

Their national counterparts fell one point in reading, three points in math and three points in writing. The SAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800.

Both state and national officials tried to accentuate the positive, pointing to the increased numbers of students taking the test, which is widely used by colleges and universities to help determine admissions.

In Florida, 97,366 graduating seniors took the test last year, up 3 percent from the year before. Nationally, the numbers were up 2 percent.

"The record number of students, coupled with the diversity of SAT takes in the class of 2007, means that an increasing number of students in this country are recognizing the importance of a college education and are taking the steps necessary to get there," College Board president Gaston Caperton said in a press release.

"I am proud of the level of interest our students have shown in taking college entrance exams and higher level coursework," said Florida Education Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg in another press release.

Florida students still trail many other states.

Nationally, the average scores were 502 in reading, 515 in math and 494 in writing.

In Florida, the averages were 497, 496 and 479, respectively.

The number of minority students taking the SAT in Florida increased this year from 44 to 46 percent. Nationally, 39 percent of SAT takers are minorities.

Ron Matus can be reached at 727 893-8873 or matus@sptimes.com