California's college-bound students continue to show an impressive improvement in SAT math scores - reflecting national scores that are at their highest level in 30 years.
Released along with nationwide scores for entering college students in August, California's SAT scores in math are listed at 518, outranking an improved national average of 514 by four points. Ten years ago, California's math score was 508, while the national average score was 501.
"We are not only seeing an improvement in math scores, but an improvement in the number of students taking the test. Last year, 49 percent of our graduates took the SAT test. It speaks volumes that in a state as large and diverse as California, so many of our students are taking the SAT. Not every state can boast of that," says CTA President Wayne Johnson.
"According to the College Board, this fall, a record 1.26 million SAT-takers are entering college with more high school math and science courses, better grades and higher academic aspirations than their predecessors of 20 years ago. We are certainly seeing the same trend in California."
Experts from the College Board, the administrator of the test, attributed the improvement in scores to more rigorous math and science courses offered in high schools. They called for an increase in Advanced Placement courses across the country and especially in inner cities and rural areas.
"Along with this, we must have the teachers with the skills to work with these students. It is vital that we be able to recruit and retain top people in the math and science fields if we are going to continue this trend," Johnson said.
California has been suffering from a shortage in math teachers, many of whom are drawn to more lucrative jobs in the state's booming high tech and business fields.
Although SAT verbal scores did not experience the same increase, they remained stable for the fifth consecutive year in California and nationwide, indicating that non-English-speaking students are concentrating on learning English language skills. California's verbal scores remained at 497, as they have for the past three years. Nationwide, the average verbal score was 505.
"All in all, we are optimistic that California is on the right course and will continue to improve," Johnson said. The state has increased the percentage of high school graduates who immediately enroll in college from 50 percent in 1992 to 66 percent in 1996, putting California among the top states in the nation.