Oregon students top national average on SAT scores
(Update: Bend-La Pine Schools top Oregon, U.S. averages)
Oregon students who took the SAT exam during the 2016-17 school year continue to outperform their peers around the country, according to results released Tuesday by College Board, which administers the test.
Oregon public school students had an average score of 555 on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing (ERW) test on a scale of 200 to 800, above the national average of 527. On the math portion of the test, Oregon students scored 543, compared to the national average score of 517. Due to a change in the test, scores from this year cannot be compared to previous years.
“While it is always good to see Oregon students performing well, I am most encouraged by the increased participation among student groups that have been historically underrepresented,” Deputy Superintendent Salam Noor said. “Taking a test like the SAT is often a precursor to going to college, so it’s important that all of our students have the same opportunities.”
Every student group registered significant increases in the number taking the SAT this year. For example, last year, only 12.4 percent of Oregon students taking the SAT were Hispanic or Latino, despite making up 22 percent of the student population. This year, 15.7 percent of Oregon SAT takers were Hispanic or Latino and the overall number of students in that group taking the test increased from 1,254 to 2,190.
Student Group
Taking Test in 2015-16
Taking Test in 2016-17
American Indian/ Alaska Native
67
131
Asian
751
917
African-American/ Black
151
279
Hispanic/Latino
1,254
2,190
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
36
63
White
6,894
9,120
Oregon also increased the number of students taking at least one Advanced Placement (AP) test in 2017 compared to the year before and the number of students scoring a three or better (on a scale of one to five) on at least one AP exam. The College Board also administers those tests.
“The continued increase in participation and performance on the SAT and in Advanced Placement is a reflection of the investments the state has made in providing opportunities for students,” Noor said.
He cited a variety of programs designed to support increased student achievement, including ongoing implementation of the American Indian/Alaska Native State Plan, the English Learner Outcome Improvement Plan, the African American/Black Student Success State Plan and new investments to improve student attendance.
Additionally, Oregon is taking strides to increase culturally responsive programs and practices, including new efforts to expand ethnic studies programs and tribal curriculum. The state is also engaged in broader efforts to improve teacher quality and the effectiveness of school principals.
“The increases observed in every student group are a sign that we are moving in the right direction to close opportunity gaps among our students,” Noor said.
Student Group
Taking AP Exam in 2015-16
Scoring three or higher in 2015-16
Taking AP Exam in 2016-17
Scoring three or higher in 2016-17
American Indian/ Alaska Native
86
26
90
34
Asian
1,819
1,184
1,970
1,283
African-American/ Black
217
72
247
89
Hispanic/Latino
2,728
1,270
3,146
1,488
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
71
15
77
20
White
11,477
7,221
11,637
7,279
Meanwhile, Bend-La Pine Schools students taking the SAT exams during 2016-17 scored higher than peers in the state and nation, according to results released from the College Board. Students in Bend-La Pine Schools scored an average of 1,163, compared with a statewide average score of 1,106 and 1,070 for the nation.
Bend-La Pine Schools students scored an average of 590 on Evidence-based Reading and Writing, compared with 559 for the state and 538 for the nation. In math, Bend-La Pine Schools students scored an average of 572, compared with 547 for the state and 533 for the nation. Due to a change in the SAT exam, these scores cannot be compared with previous year’s results.
The College Board also released results of Advanced Placement (AP) exams taken in 2016-17. Bend-La Pine Schools students took 1,492 Advanced Placement exams in 26 subjects, including Calculus, Japanese, Music Theory, Psychology and Statistics, to name just a few.
“Advanced Placement courses are one of several ways that students in our schools are able to earn college credits while still in high school,” said Superintendent Shay Mikalson. “These rigorous academic opportunities help set students up for success in college and careers. We are thrilled to see so many of our students performing well on both the SAT and AP exams.”
