More than half of Gorham’s 11th-graders have mastered what they’re supposed to be learning, according to statewide test results.
Under a new program, the Scholastic Assessment Test, a national, standardized test used for college entrance applications, was given to 95 percent of the state’s 11th-graders as a replacement for a locally grown Maine Education Assessment.
Statewide, the SAT average scores for last year’s 11th-graders were 444 for math, 443 for reading and 435 for writing out of possible scores of anywhere from 200 to 800. Based on those scores, 47 percent of 11th-graders statewide met the standard in math; 45 percent met the standard in reading; and 46 percent met the standard in writing.
The national average SAT scores for college-bound seniors last year were 503 for reading, 518 for math and 497 for writing. In Maine, those averages for college-bound kids were 501 for reading, 501 for math and 491 for writing.
At Gorham High School, the average SAT score for the 11th-graders was 456 in math, 463 in reading and 447 in writing. The tests show 52 percent met standards in math, 53 percent in reading and 51 percent in writing.
Gorham High School Principal John Drisko was pleased with Gorham’s results. “You can always strive for more,” Drisko said, “but I’m definitely pleased with how we did.”
Drisko said Gorham could have done better in writing, although Gorham was above the state average.
Drisko said the SAT couldn’t be “legitimately” compared to the previous MEA. He also said with 95 percent of students taking the SAT, it couldn’t be compared to SAT scores from last year, either. He said this year’s SAT also added an essay portion and added more grammar questions.
But with more students taking the SAT, Drisko said, it could encourage more students to consider furthering their education.
At Bonny Eagle High School in School Administrative District 6, the average SAT score was 432 in math, 436 in reading and 435 in writing. The tests show 41 percent met standards in math, 42 percent in reading and 46 percent in writing.
Suzanne Lukas, superintendent of SAD 6, said Bonny Eagle’s median scores were better in comparison to other schools than its average scores. But, she said, she recognized that Bonny Eagle needed work in math and that work was already under way.
Lukas said the SAT was not designed for all students, but rather to determine qualifications for college.
“There’s an issue of using this test as a measure of achievement,” Lukas said. “It’s not designed for that.”
At Westbrook High School, the average SAT score was 452 in math, 455 in reading and 436 in writing. The tests show 49 percent met standards in math, 47 percent in reading and 45 percent in writing.
Westbrook High School Principal Marc Gousse was pleased with how Westbrook students scored in the test, saying they rose to the occasion. Gousse attributed the students’ results to the knowledge that the test could have an impact on their future, as opposed to the MEAs.
“I think the SAT is a better predictor than the MEAs. There’s more legitimacy to it,” said Gousse. “There’s more of an investment overall for the kids. It’s tangible. They can apply it to college.”
Gousse said he thought many kids wavering on whether to attend college might be encouraged to do so if they do well on the SAT.
Statewide, the good news is the scores were not as bad as expected, according to Education Commissioner Susan Gendron, and more students were able to pass this assessment than the old one.
“We’ve been saying the minute you include all students our statewide (SAT) averages will go down,” said Gendron, but they didn’t go down as dramatically as predicted.
Going forward the SAT will be used under the federal No Child Left Behind Act to measure whether 11th-graders are making adequate yearly progress in mastering the skills they are supposed to have upon graduation.
“In three or four years, our scores will be in the 500-range for all kids,” Gendron promised, saying her goal was to make every student in Maine “college ready.”
Gendron’s use of the SAT as part of the testing series for No Child Left Behind was controversial and the federal government initially rejected the proposal. Gendron said the state is now on track to get federal approval by the end of this school year.
“It was a very deliberative decision by the Department of Education on behalf of students and families in the state of Maine,” to use the SAT, she said, because it pushes educators and students to make sure all Maine graduates are ready for college.
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