Release Date: Aug 26, 2003 1:00 AM  

Delaware Scores Remain Steady; Advanced Placement (AP) Participation Rates Soar

Dover, Del.–August 26, 2003According to statistics released earlier today by the College Board, the average mathematics and verbal scores ofDelaware’s college-bound seniors who took the Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I) at least once during their secondary careersin public and non-public schools remained steady compared to last year’s test scores,showing a slight increase in mathematics scores and a slight decrease in verbal scores.

In today’s national release, the College Board reported that average mathematics score of Delaware’s college-bound seniorsattending the state’s public and non-public schools increased one point from last year’s average score.Delaware’s math score of 501 places Delaware fourth in the mid-Atlantic region, behind Maryland and New Jersey (515),New York (510) and Pennsylvania (502). This year’s national average math score is 519, a three point increase from last year.

On the verbal portion of the SAT, Delaware’s students scored an average of 501, a one point decrease from last year,placing Delaware second in the mid-Atlantic region behind Maryland’s average score of 509.Nationally, students averaged a 507 on the verbal portion of the SAT, a three-point increase from last year.

Public school scores in Delaware remained constant from last year’s results. On the verbal portion of the SAT,more than 4,200 Delaware students averaged 484, showing no change from last year’s results.Nationally, public school students averaged 503 on the verbal exam, a three point gain from last year.On the math portion of the SAT, Delaware’s public school students averaged 486, a one point increase from last year.Nationally, public school students averaged 513, a two point gain from last year.

Delaware’s participation rate of 73% continues to increase. As a result of a four percentage point increasein the number of students taking the SAT 1 test, Delaware is ranked 8^th in the nation, well above the national rate of 48%.This is the highest rate of increase in the entire middle states region. The nation, as a whole, saw a 2% increase in the SAT’s participation rate.

Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff stated, “It is important to note that scores statistically tend to declinewith a rise in the percentage of test-takers. We still see our test scores remaining constant.Delaware schools are encouraging more and more students to take the SAT and to consider higher education as a realistic option.”

A breakdown of Delaware public school scores by ethnicity is as follows:

Group	Number	% Part	Verbal	Change from 2002	Mathematics	Change from 2002
American Indian	17	0.4%	434	-42	490	-11
Asian	165	3.9%	501	-6	554	-4
Black	782	18.5%	417	-4	409	-4
Mexican American	25	0.6%	456	+52	454	+30
Puerto Rican	35	0.8%	458	0	443	+11
Other Hispanic	30	0.7%	490	+29	474	+13
White	2,243	53.1%	504	-1	505	-3
Other	86	2.0%	478	-26	465	-24
No Response	845	20.0%	495	+15	498	+24

In Delaware, nearly 56% of SAT 1 test takers were female compared to 44% for males, however,male test takers outscored their female counterparts in both portions of the SAT 1.Male students scored an average of 490 on the verbal portion of the exam, an increase of six points from last year,while female students averaged 480, a four point drop from 2002. In math, male students, on average, scored 506,a seven point increase from last year, while female students scored 470, a two point drop from 2002.

Delaware’s public school participation in Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities showed significant increases from 2002 to 2003. The number of public school students participating in AP examinations increased 17.5%, while the total number of examinations increased by 12%. Female students increased AP participation by 25.2% compared to 2002, while the number of male students participating in AP courses rose by 5.3%. Of the 3,046 AP examinations given to Delaware public school students, 1,704 students received a grade of 3 or higher, an increase of 1.4% over last year’s results. Generally, a score of 3 or higher is needed at most colleges and universities in order to receive course credit.

A breakdown of Delaware public school students taking AP examinations is as follows:

Group	No. of Students	% Part	No. of Exams	Grades 3-5
Asian	198	11.0%	420	294
Black	121	6.7%	184	62
Mexican American	14	0.8%	18	11
Puerto Rican	12	0.7%	15	7
Other Hispanic	27	1.5%	45	20
White	1,331	73.9%	2,194	1,217
Other	55	3.1%	96	55
No Response	39	2.2%	68	33

“I am also quite pleased to see that more and more of our high school students are taking AP classes and getting high scores on the AP exams,” said Secretary Woodruff. “Compared to last year, nearly 18% more of our students have taken AP courses, compared to less than a 10% increase across the country. Additionally, we have seen a 7.5% increase in the number of students who are receiving high grades on the exams.” Added Secretary Woodruff, “Today’s results clearly show that our high school counselors and teachers are providing college-bound students with the tools necessary for success in their college coursework.”

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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.	Contact Info. Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us
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