Average scores on the SAT tests by Texas high school students plummeted last school year in all three subject areas: reading, writing and math. The national numbers also declined to their lowest levels on record.
Here in Texas, the average math score for students, including all public and private schools, dropped two points to 502. Critical reading scores declined four points to 479. Writing scores were down seven points to 465.
National scores declined also, but were still higher than the Texas averages at 506, 494 and 483 for math, critical reading and writing, respectively. The maximum score on the SAT test is 800.
Among specific ethnic groups in Texas, Asian-Americans and Whites saw their average scores decline in all three subject areas. African-Americans and Hispanics showed gains in math.
The Texas Education Agency points to a large increase in the number of students taking the SAT test. The number of Hispanic students in public schools taking the SAT test grew by 58 percent in four years. The increase among African-American students in public schools over the same time period was 43 percent.
“States with the lowest participation rates typically have the highest test scores, while those that draw from a larger pool have lower scores,” the Texas Education Agency said in a news release.
