--Students in public, non-public schools make gains --

(Dover, DE.) According to national statistics released earlier today by the College Board, the average critical reading, math and writing scores of Delaware's public and non-public college-bound seniors who took the SAT Reasoning Test increased in comparison to last year’s test scores.

On the critical reading portion of the SAT Reasoning Test, Delaware’s students, both public and non-public, scored an average of 499, a two point increase from last year. Nationally, students averaged a 502 on the critical reading portion of the SAT, remaining constant from 2007 with no change.

The College Board reported that the average mathematics score of Delaware's college-bound seniors attending the state's public and nonpublic schools was 498, also a two point increase from 2007. This year’s national average math score is 515 and no change from last year.

For the third year, results were released for the writing portion of the SAT. For Delaware’s public and non-public high school seniors, the mean score for writing was 490, a four point increase from 2007. Nationally, the average writing score was 494, and once again, no change in scores from last year.

Delaware’s SAT Reasoning Test participation rate of public/private schools 70% decreased two percentage points from 2007 but is still well above the nation’s participation rate of 45% which decreased 3% from last year. As a result, Delaware’s participation rate is ranked ninth in the nation versus tenth last year.

Public school scores in Delaware also remained stable from last year’s results. On the critical reading portion of the SAT Reasoning Test, 4,378 Delaware students (a decrease of 0.4%) averaged 482, a two point increase from last year’s results. Nationally, public school students averaged 497 on the critical reading exam, a one point decrease from last year. On the math portion of the SAT, Delaware’s public school students averaged 483, the same score achieved one year before. Nationally, public school students averaged 510, a one point increase from last year. On the writing portion of the SAT, Delaware public school students averaged 471, a three point increase while nationally, students scored 488 which was the same as last year’s results.

In Delaware’s public schools, nearly 55% of SAT Reasoning Test takers were female compared
to 45% males. Male test takers scored an average of 484 on the critical reading portion of the exam while female students averaged 480. In math, male students, on average, scored 501 while female students scored 469. In writing, female students scored an average of 477 while male students averaged 464.

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

The number of public school students participating in AP examinations increased 7.4%, while the total number of examinations also increased by 4.6%. Of the 5607 AP examinations given to Delaware public school students, 2,906 students received a score of 3 or higher, a decrease of 1.5% 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:

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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.