Release Date: Aug 30, 2005 1:00 AM  

AP Participation Rates, Scores Increase

Dover, Del.–August 30, 2005According to national statistics released earlier today by the College Board, the average mathematics and verbal scores of Delaware’s public and non-public college-bound seniorswho took the Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I) increased significantly in comparison to last year’s test score.

On the verbal portion of the SAT I, Delaware’s students, both public and non-public, scored an average of 503, a three point increase from last year.Nationally, students averaged a 508 on the verbal portion of the SAT I, showing no increase from last year’s scores.

The College Board reported that average mathematics score of Delaware’s college-bound seniors attending the state’s public and non-public schools was 502, a three point increase from 2004.This year’s national average math score is 520, an increase of two points from 2004.

Public school scores in Delaware also increased from last year’s results. On the verbal portion of the SAT I, 4,261 Delaware students averaged 485, a one point increase from last year’s results.Nationally, public school students averaged 505 on the verbal exam, a one point gain from last year. On the math portion of the SAT I, Delaware’s public school students averaged 487,a significant three point increase from last year. Nationally, public school students averaged 515, a two point gain from last year.

Delaware’s SAT I participation rate of 74% increased one percentage point from 2004 and is well above the nation’s participation rate of 49%.As a result, Delaware’s participation rate is ranked tenth in the nation.

In Delaware, nearly 57% of SAT I test takers were female compared to 43% males.However, male test takers outscored their female counterparts in both portions of the SAT.Male students scored an average of 490 on the verbal portion of the exam while female students averaged 481, both groups increased one point increase from 2004.In math, male students, on average, scored 506, a three point increase from last year, while female students scored 472, a five point increase from 2004.

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

Group	Number	% Part	Verbal	Change from 2004	Mathematics	Change from 2004
Male	1,842	43.2%	490	+1	506	+3
Female	2,419	56.8%	481	+1	472	+5
American Indian	31	0.7%	445	-45	445	-25
Asian	191	4.5%	516	+3	570	+2
Black	897	21.0%	423	+9	416	+8
Hispanic Overall	143	3.3%	452	+2	453	+17
Mexican American	39	0.9%	460	+2	466	0
Puerto Rican	52	1.2%	439	-4	435	+13
Other Hispanic	52	1.2%	457	0	461	+20
White	2,529	59.3%	506	+1	509	+4
Other	123	2.8%	485	+7	467	+5
No Response	347	8.1%	492	-7	485	-11

Delaware’s public school participation in Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities once again showed astounding increases from 2004 to 2005.The number of public school students participating in AP examinations increased 41.6%, while the total number of examinations increased by 46.4%.Female students increased AP participation 44.3% compared to 2004, while the number of male students participating in AP courses rose by 38.2%.Of the 4,916 AP examinations given to Delaware public school students, 2,395 students received a score of 3 or higher, a significant increase of 26.9% 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	Scores of 3-5
Male	1,193	43.1%	2,209	1,183
Female	1,576	56.9%	2,707	1,212
American Indian	18	0.7%	41	26
Asian	285	10.3%	608	361
Black	283	10.2%	435	115
Hispanic Overall	90	3.3%	147	53
Mexican American	11	0.4%	20	8
Puerto Rican	28	1.0%	42	17
Other Hispanic	51	1.8%	85	28
White	1,928	69.6%	3,388	1,716
Other	83	3.0%	146	56
No Response	82	3.0%	151	68

Governor Ruth Ann Minner stated, “I am pleased to see gains in both the verbal and math scores. These increases validate the hard work being done by educators,students and families to ensure our high school seniors are prepared to enter college.” Added Governor Minner, “To see an increase in our scoreswhile seeing more and more of our students taking Advanced Placement courses speaks volumes about the hard work our young men and women are undertaking to prepare themselves for future academic success.”

“Once again, Delaware is outpacing the nation in both the percentage of students taking AP examinations and the number of examinations being administered,” said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff.“Public school test takers increased by more than 41% which is nearly four times the U.S. growth rate. We have also seen an astounding 99% increase in the number of African-American students participatingin Advanced Placement (AP) courses which is nearly five times the U.S. growth rate.” Added Secretary Woodruff, “Scores in the 3 to 5 category also increased 26.9%, which is nearly triple the national average.”

Today’s release from the College Board also identified that Delaware’s public schools continue to show increased participation rates for the PSAT/NMSQT exams for sophomores (3.8%) and juniors (1.6%) this year.“High school sophomores and juniors can gain considerable experience by taking these exams,” said Woodruff.“PSAT scores can help high schools identify students’ potential so that support can be provided prior to their taking the SAT.”

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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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