State's math score on SAT jumps six points

Preliminary Advanced Placement results show continued growth; strong results

Wisconsin's 2008 graduates posted an average score of 604 points in mathematics on the SAT college admissions test, an increase of six points from last year and 89 points above the national mean score of 515. Along with solid SAT results, preliminary data on the College Board's Advanced Placement program showed continued growth of the program in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin had 3,522 public and private school graduates who took the SAT during high school. They represent about 5 percent of the state's graduates. Their critical reading score averaged 587, the same as last year; mathematics was 604, up six points from last year; and writing was 577, up two points. Nationally, 1.5 million graduates, about 45 percent of all graduates, took the SAT. The national overall mean scores were the same as in 2007: critical reading, 502; mathematics, 515; and writing, 494. On the ACT college admissions tests, more popular in Midwestern states, 67 percent of Wisconsin's 2008 graduates took the exams. Their scores also were well above national averages.

"Our 2008 graduates did a fine job on the SAT college admissions exams," said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. "They were well prepared, with 91 percent taking a core curriculum compared to 79 percent nationally. That college preparatory coursework, which includes four years of English and three years each of mathematics, science, and social studies, showed in their achievement on this national test."

Preliminary data on the Advanced Placement (AP) program showed more students are taking AP exams in Wisconsin. Student participation increased 6.3 percent from last year. In 2008, 26,593 public and private school graduates took 42,450 exams. The statewide passing rate-students earning a score of three, four, or five-was 67.2 percent. Nationally the passing rate was 57.8 percent with 1.6 million students taking 2.7 million exams.

"Advanced Placement participation has been growing steadily in Wisconsin, up more than 30 percent over five years," Burmaster noted. "Wisconsin recently was part of a pilot to increase the number of AP courses available; train teachers, counselors, and administrators to offer and support AP courses; and increase the number of students enrolled in AP, especially those from traditionally under-represented groups. Additionally, we partnered with Cooperative Educational Service Agency 9 to open the Wisconsin Web Academy, which will increase access statewide to a variety of coursework, including Advanced Placement classes."

Additional information is available in the complete news release.

Last updated on 8/26/2008 9:47:37 AM