Scores on SATS higher this year

AHS seniors outperform their predecessors’ on the SAT (Nov. 24)

By: Lauren Burgoon
   UPPER FREEHOLD — No one is sure why SAT scores were down last year at Allentown High School but with early scores in for this year’s tests, administrators are just happy the Class of 2005’s lackluster performance seems to be an aberration.
   Current AHS seniors outperformed their predecessors’ on the SAT in a big way so far. The district only has the June SAT to compare with, but already the Class of 2006 has doubled the number of top-performing students compared with last year’s seniors. Based on the June results, the number of top performers is likely to go up after October, November and December scores are received.
   For the June SAT, the Class of 2006 had 99 students (45 in critical reading and 54 in math) score at least 600 of 800 possible points, compared with the Class of 2005, which had 51 (24 in reading and 27 in math.)
   While the Class of 2005 had one student score above 700 on math and no student achieve that in reading, the Class of 2006 already has seven students above 700 in math and six students in reading.
   The Class of 2006 also had 45 students who scored above a 600 on the new writing section added this year, but there is no data to which to compare that performance.
   Several things might account for the discrepancies between the two classes in math and reading. This year’s seniors could simply be more intelligent or be better test-takers than previous classes. Or more opportunities to enroll in advanced placement courses could be helping the Class of 2006 on the SAT.
   Also, while the new SAT is supposed to be "normed" so a student would score similarly on the new version versus an older test, there is no guarantee this is the case, Assistant Superintendent Maybeth Conway said.
   "I can’t explain why (the scores increased this year), but I’m just happy we’re headed that way," she said.
   AHS Principal Chris Nagy also had no definitive explanation for the jump in scores but said he was pleased with the results.
   AHS’ SAT scores typically fall a few points above the state average. According to the last data available from the Department of Education, AHS averaged 519 in math and 511 in verbal for the 2003-04 school year, compared to state averages of 516 in math and 500 in verbal. Schools in AHS’ district factor group, which are similar in size and socio-economic status, averaged 521 in math and 506 in the verbal section during the same year.