The College Board recommends a 1550 average in the three subjects for a student to be successful in college.
This is an updated version of a story posted at 5:06 this afternoon.
Students from Springfield Renaissance School are seen at the school's graduation earlier this year. All the students were accepted to four-year colleges.The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the annual SAT scores Monday, showing a small average increase in scores in math and critical reading, while writing scores remained the same.
The average scores of 523 in math, 506 in critical reading and 500 in writing on the college entrance exam were good news because they show many juniors and seniors who took the exam last year are prepared for college.
Massachusetts showed some of the highest scores and one of the largest participation rates with 89 percent of students taking the test at least once, officials said.
State Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester congratulated students and teachers, but said he hopes to continue to see improvements.
“We still have work to do, to ensure that all students are ready for success beyond high school. The new Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, which schools are starting to implement this year, will build on our record of excellence, provide students and educators with greater clarity, focus and rigor and incorporate college and career readiness standards,” he said.
According to The College Board, which offers the exam, students’ goal should be to score at least a 516 on each of the three sections of critical reading, writing and math.
“The SAT benchmark score of 1550 indicates a 65 percent likelihood of achieving a B- average or higher during the first year of study at a four-year college,” according to a statement from the Board.
The increases in scores at Ware High School put students near that goal. Students scored an average of 499 in critical reading, up 12 points from the previous year and 530 in math, an increase of 9 points from 2011. There was a decline in writing from 477 in 2011 to 461 this year.
“We are putting a little more effort in writing and that also affects our reading scores,” Ware Superintendent Mary-Elizabeth Beach said. “As we laser-focus more on writing we should have larger gains over the next couple of years.”
She said educators take the scores seriously because they realize many students statewide must pay to take remedial math and English courses in college if they do not master the subjects.
About half the 78-member Ware High graduating class took the exam last year. Some, especially those who planned to attend community colleges where the SATs are not required, decline to take the exam, which costs $50.
Students typically take the SAT in their junior year and take it again, sometimes several times, in their senior year to boost their scores. The results are a combination of the exam tests taken during the year.
Springfield Renaissance School also registered an increase in SAT scores, with writing increasing four points to 427, Math rising 20 points to 446 and reading increasing 16 points to 440.
School Principal Stephen Mahoney said that while he is happy with the improvement, he is not satisfied.
“We recognize we are not where we want to be in terms of our testing performance.¦...¦We are essentially 75 to 100 points off in each of the measures,” Mahoney said.
Mahoney thanked MassMutual for funding the PSAT tests, which are practice tests taken by sophomores and juniors, so all students have a chance to prepare before they take the SAT.
The school, which is relatively new, has had 100 percent of its graduates accepted to college in the past three years. So far, 80 to 85 percent of graduates are still in college or have completed two-year programs, showing there are other factors that make students successful, Mahoney said.
Students must have the right attitude and academic habits before entering college. The guidance staff also works hard to find the right college for each student, he said.
Chicopee High School includes funding in its budget for all students to take the PSAT. It continues to encourage students to take the SAT so they are prepared if they decide to enter college later. About a three-quarters of the graduating class of about 200 takes the test, Principal Roland R. Joyal Jr. said.
“We would like all of our kids to take it and sometimes the scores will drop because of it¦...¦and that doesn’t bother us,” Joyal said.
This year Chicopee High and Comprehensive High saw increases in all three subjects with Comprehensive showing a 31 point jump in math. At Chicopee High students scored 487 in reading, which was up 6 points, 492 in math, up 19 points and 487 in math, up 23 points.
“We have been doing a lot of work with MCAS and we are seeing a carry over,” Joyal said. “We have improved, and you are seeing it translates to higher grades as they take standardized tests.”
Westfield High School saw a dip in the number of students who took the SAT because the ACT, a competing college entrance exam, is gaining popularity. Still 227 of about 300 students in its graduating class took the SAT last year, Principal Raymond K. Broderick said.
Students saw gains in reading and writing but dipped 9 points in math. The average scores are 504 in reading, 515 in math and 491 in writing, which are close to The College Board goals.
“Our average is right there but we are always striving to go up and we would love to see them higher,” Broderick said.
One of the disadvantages students now face is they are used to the MCAS, which has no time limit, while the SAT is a timed test, he said.
“We are looking at having our students take a timed test,” he said. “When you put the timed parameter into the mix, I’m wondering how it affects the scores.”
Broderick said he is also looking forward to the changes from the new Common Core, a national curriculum that Massachusetts has started putting into place in most schools this year.
He said he believes as the nation standardizes its academic requirements, the SAT will follow and students will improve.
High School 2012 SAT Results