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September 25, 2012

Vigo SAT scores rise 15 points in this year's tests

Sue Loughlin The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Students in the Vigo County School Corp. increased SAT scores in all three tested areas in 2012, according to results released Monday.

The corporation verbal/critical reading score increased from 492 to 497; the math score improved from 491 to 497; the writing score increased from 472 to 476; and the total score improved 15 points from 1455 to 1470.  

The corporation total score met the state average of 1470. The corporation exceeded the state average in verbal/critical reading and met the state average in writing.

Nationally, SAT scores were 1498, down two points from the previous year. Verbal/critical reading was 496, down one; math remained the same at 514; and writing was 488, down one point.

“We are pleased to see improvement in the performance of last year’s seniors across all four areas, verbal/critical reading, math, writing and total scores,” said Karen Goeller, Vigo County schools deputy superintendent. “The SAT is important in the college admissions process, and our students are demonstrating their accomplishments with these improved scores.”

Students at Terre Haute North Vigo and Terre Haute South Vigo improved in all four areas, verbal/critical reading, math, writing, and total scores. The corporation improved 15 points, while the state improved one point.

North Vigo’s total score was 1473, up 11 points; South Vigo’s score was 1507, up 31 points; and West Vigo’s score was 1359, down three points.

West Vigo had the highest number of SAT test takers in more than five years, with 86 students taking the test.

Research shows that when students take challenging courses in high school they perform better on the SAT, Goeller said. Teachers in all subject areas, from science to art to technology, are including higher levels of reading, writing, and math experiences in their daily lessons, she said.

Vigo County students also have other enrichment opportunities, including academic competitions, summer programs and camps.

The SAT measures what students have learned in school and their ability to succeed in college-level courses. The best way to get ready for the SAT is to do well in school, take challenging courses, study hard and read as much as possible, district officials say.

Research continues to show that short-term, for-profit test-prep courses don’t increase test scores significantly, and such courses can’t replace years of solid work in the classroom, according to a school district news release.

Higher SAT scores provide more college options for students, Goeller said. Many colleges make admissions and scholarship decisions based partly on SAT scores.

According to the Associated Press, this is the first year in which more students nationally took the rival ACT exam than the SAT. The ACT narrowly surpassed the SAT, by fewer than 2,000 test-takers out of about 1.6 million who took each exam.  

The number of VCSC students taking the ACT is increasing.

In Vigo County, 575 students took the SAT in 2011-12, while 130 took the ACT. The year before, just 92 VCSC students took the ACT — which represents a 41 percent increase this year.

On the ACT, districtwide, VCSC students exceeded the state average in all tested areas (English, math, reading, science and the composite scores). Vigo County’s composite score was 23 for 2011-12, compared to 23.3 the year prior.

The state composite remained the same this year at 22.3. Nationwide, the composite score also remained the same at 21.1.

Historically, according to The College Board, more students in Indiana take the SAT instead of the ACT.

According to Goeller, since many colleges accept both the SAT and the ACT in the admissions process, some students take both tests to show their academic performance on more than one test.

“Having two test scores instead of one may be helpful to certain students in the admissions process. The ACT also includes science content,” she said.



Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.

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