Florida’s Minority Students Top the Nation on College Entrance Exam

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PRESS OFFICE

(850) 245-0413

FLORIDA’S MINORITY STUDENTS TOP THE NATION ON COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM

– Students’ SAT performance rises across the board –

Tallahassee, Fla., September 24, 2012 – A report released today by the College Board shows that Florida’s graduating seniors increased their mean scores in every SAT subject area in 2011-12. The SAT Report on College and Career Readiness highlights achievement scores in critical reading, mathematics, and writing for public school students who took the SAT at some point in high school. Once again, Florida’s Hispanic students outperformed others nationwide on each SAT subsection. The mean score for Hispanic students in critical reading is 29 points higher than the nation, 13 points higher in mathematics, and 20 points higher in writing. Florida’s black students increased their critical reading scores by seven points – while national performance remained unchanged. The mathematics score for Florida’s black students increased three points, compared to a stagnant score for black students nationwide; and, in writing, black students increased their mean score by six points compared to a one-point decrease for their counterparts across the nation.

“I am pleased that our students are improving their SAT performance. The data released today are proof that their hard work is preparing them for the next step in education and life,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “I want to thank our state’s educators for their selfless contribution to our student’s success, and I applaud their efforts to help ensure our students realize their full potential.”

Florida ranks third in the nation for the total number of Advanced Placement (AP) grades of 3 or higher. The number of AP exam grades 3 or higher earned by our state’s students increased 8.3 percent this year, compared to a 1.8 percent increase in the number of AP exams administered in Florida’s public schools. Florida has the greatest number of black AP exam takers in the nation – as well as the greatest number of AP grades of 3 or higher received by black students when compared to all other states.


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About the College Board: In 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Formed by a handful of colleges, their purpose was to simplify the application process for students and college admission offices. More than a century after evaluating the first few test-takers, they help more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college each year, and serve the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.

About the Florida Department of Education: The department’s mission is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient education system by providing them the chance to expand their knowledge and skills through world-class learning opportunities. Serving more than 3.5 million students, 4,200 public schools, 28 colleges, 188,000 teachers, 47,000 college professors and administrators, and 318,000 full-time staff throughout the state, the department enhances the economic self-sufficiency of Floridians through programs and services geared toward college, workforce education, job-specific skills, and career development. Florida ranks first in the nation for teacher quality, first in the nation in advanced placement participation, and first in the southern region for graduation rate and degrees awarded by the Florida College System. For more information, visit www.fldoe.org.

FLORIDA’S MINORITY STUDENTS TOP THE NATION ON COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PRESS OFFICE (850) 245-0413

FLORIDA’S MINORITY STUDENTS TOP THE NATION ON COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM – Students’ SAT performance rises across the board -

Tallahassee, Fla., September 24, 2012 – A report released today by the College Board http://press.collegeboard.org/sat shows that Florida’s graduating seniors increased their mean scores in every SAT subject area in 2011-12. The SAT Report on College and Career Readiness highlights achievement scores in critical reading, mathematics, and writing for public school students who took the SAT at some point in high school. Once again, Florida’s Hispanic students outperformed others nationwide on each SAT subsection. The mean score for Hispanic students in critical reading is 29 points higher than the nation, 13 points higher in mathematics, and 20 points higher in writing. Florida’s black students increased their critical reading scores by seven points – while national performance remained unchanged. The mathematics score for Florida’s black students increased three points, compared to a stagnant score for black students nationwide; and, in writing, black students increased their mean score by six points compared to a one-point decrease for their counterparts across the nation. “I am pleased that our students are improving their SAT performance. The data released today are proof that their hard work is preparing them for the next step in education and life,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “I want to thank our state’s educators for their selfless contribution to our student’s success, and I applaud their efforts to help ensure our students realize their full potential.” Florida ranks third in the nation for the total number of Advanced Placement (AP) grades of 3 or higher. The number of AP exam grades 3 or higher earned by our state’s students increased 8.3 percent this year, compared to a 1.8 percent increase in the number of AP exams administered in Florida’s public schools. Florida has the greatest number of black AP exam takers in the nation – as well as the greatest number of AP grades of 3 or higher received by black students when compared to all other states. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) Mean Scores – Florida Public Schools SAT Subsection All (FL) White Black Hispanic 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 Critical Reading 483 489 517 520 424 431 467 472 Mathematics 486 490 521 523 422 425 469 471 Writing 466 472 498 501 409 415 452 457

### About the College Board: In 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Formed by a handful of colleges, their purpose was to simplify the application process for students and college admission offices. More than a century after evaluating the first few test-takers, they help more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college each year, and serve the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.

About the Florida Department of Education: The department’s mission is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient education system by providing them the chance to expand their knowledge and skills through world-class learning opportunities. Serving more than 3.5 million students, 4,200 public schools, 28 colleges, 188,000 teachers, 47,000 college professors and administrators, and 318,000 full-time staff throughout the state, the department enhances the economic self-sufficiency of Floridians through programs and services geared toward college, workforce education, job-specific skills, and career development. Florida ranks first in the nation for teacher quality, first in the nation in advanced placement participation, and first in the southern region for graduation rate and degrees awarded by the Florida College System. For more information, visit www.fldoe.org http://www.fldoe.org .

FLORIDA’S MINORITY STUDENTS TOP THE NATION ON COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PRESS OFFICE (850) 245-0413

FLORIDA’S MINORITY STUDENTS TOP THE NATION ON COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM – Students’ SAT performance rises across the board -

Tallahassee, Fla., September 24, 2012 – A report released today by the College Board http://press.collegeboard.org/sat shows that Florida’s graduating seniors increased their mean scores in every SAT subject area in 2011-12. The SAT Report on College and Career Readiness highlights achievement scores in critical reading, mathematics, and writing for public school students who took the SAT at some point in high school. Once again, Florida’s Hispanic students outperformed others nationwide on each SAT subsection. The mean score for Hispanic students in critical reading is 29 points higher than the nation, 13 points higher in mathematics, and 20 points higher in writing. Florida’s black students increased their critical reading scores by seven points – while national performance remained unchanged. The mathematics score for Florida’s black students increased three points, compared to a stagnant score for black students nationwide; and, in writing, black students increased their mean score by six points compared to a one-point decrease for their counterparts across the nation. “I am pleased that our students are improving their SAT performance. The data released today are proof that their hard work is preparing them for the next step in education and life,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “I want to thank our state’s educators for their selfless contribution to our student’s success, and I applaud their efforts to help ensure our students realize their full potential.” Florida ranks third in the nation for the total number of Advanced Placement (AP) grades of 3 or higher. The number of AP exam grades 3 or higher earned by our state’s students increased 8.3 percent this year, compared to a 1.8 percent increase in the number of AP exams administered in Florida’s public schools. Florida has the greatest number of black AP exam takers in the nation – as well as the greatest number of AP grades of 3 or higher received by black students when compared to all other states. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) Mean Scores – Florida Public Schools SAT Subsection All (FL) White Black Hispanic 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 Critical Reading 483 489 517 520 424 431 467 472 Mathematics 486 490 521 523 422 425 469 471 Writing 466 472 498 501 409 415 452 457

### About the College Board: In 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Formed by a handful of colleges, their purpose was to simplify the application process for students and college admission offices. More than a century after evaluating the first few test-takers, they help more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college each year, and serve the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.

About the Florida Department of Education: The department’s mission is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient education system by providing them the chance to expand their knowledge and skills through world-class learning opportunities. Serving more than 3.5 million students, 4,200 public schools, 28 colleges, 188,000 teachers, 47,000 college professors and administrators, and 318,000 full-time staff throughout the state, the department enhances the economic self-sufficiency of Floridians through programs and services geared toward college, workforce education, job-specific skills, and career development. Florida ranks first in the nation for teacher quality, first in the nation in advanced placement participation, and first in the southern region for graduation rate and degrees awarded by the Florida College System. For more information, visit www.fldoe.org http://www.fldoe.org .