Washington, D.C. - Mr. Speaker, I rise to share with my colleagues the news that the highest systemwide average SAT score (1102) ever achieved by the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) was produced by the graduating class of 2004, marking the first time the average score has exceeded 1100. The average included the highest ever average mathematics score (561) and the highest average verbal score in 12 years (541), the first increase in the average verbal score in five years. The improvements were achieved with a student participation rate of 80.2 percent, representing the largest group (7,263 students) ever to take the test in the school district.
The higher SAT scores mark the achievements of the first graduating class of students taking the SAT who were exposed to the full range of the ongoing high school reforms in Montgomery County. The reforms began when the students were ninth graders in the 2000-2001 school year and have expanded greatly the opportunities for more rigorous coursework in preparation for college.
In addition, the improvement included a significant gain in the system's “average highest score,” the same number used by colleges to identify the best performance among students on the SAT. The system's average highest score increased to 1115 last year, the best result ever and an increase of eight points over the year before.
Overall, there were numerous achievements in the 2004 SAT results for which MCPS should be proud:
• Highest ever average SAT score of 1102, a gain of eight points
• Best ever “average highest SAT score” of 1115, a gain of eight points
• Highest ever average math score (561)
• Largest number of students ever taking the SAT (7,263 students)
• Highest average score for white students (1163), a gain of 10 points
• Highest average score for Asian American students (1160), a gain of 33 points
• Most high schools (four) with average scores above 1200
• Most high schools (11) with average scores above 1100
• Average score of students receiving special education services increased by 26 points to 924.
The average scores for African American and Hispanic students receiving federal meal assistance also increased significantly -- up 17 points among African American students (854) and six points among Hispanic students (837). This is an important point because the percentage of both groups of students participating in the Free and Reduced-price Meal System (FARMS) is increasing, lowering the overall average score for each group even as the specific subgroup scores increase.
According to Dr. Jerry D. Weast, Superintendent of the Montgomery County Public Schools, all of this has occurred during a significant demographic change in student enrollment, characterized by greater cultural and racial/ethnic diversity, a rise in students from low-income families, an increase in the number of students for whom English is a second language, and more students with disabilities.
I want to commend Dr. Weast, the Members of the Montgomery County Board of Education, and all teachers, principals and staff for implementing school improvements including strengthened curriculum, improved assessments, greater coordination among and within schools, and increased staff training and professional development. The improvements also included increased student enrollment in expanded Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses.
Mr. Speaker, public schools are truly the backbone of our community. Young people across America face ever-changing social and economic challenges. We have an obligation to prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead, and I applaud the great work of the teachers, principals and other education personnel in Montgomery County who offer so much support to our families.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.