SAT success

Pencils tapping, clocks ticking, pages flipping, eyes drooping: telltale themes of testing season. This year, SAT scores have hit the lowest level in 10 years. Carroll, however, scored better than both the state and nation.

In the fall 2015-2016 testing profile, Carroll’s SAT composite score was 1748. The state’s was 1410 and the nation’s was 1490. The College Board reported that the national score was down seven points from the previous class’s mark and was the lowest score of the past decade while our score went up 13 points. Some say that middle school is where students and teachers alike hit a wall and falter.

“Middle school is too easy and important topics are pushed off until high school,” Head SAT tutor at C2 Education Center Don Engleman said. “The most common issue I’ve seen while tutoring students is a lack of fundamental knowledge of English and reading. Carroll, though, seems to have these basics taken care of.”

Starting from elementary school, reading is emphasized. Quotes from Dr. Seuss such as “The more you read, the more that you’ll know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go” line classroom walls and annual book fairs actively promote reading. Students believe that this initiative has helped scores.

“Our qualifying score is higher compared to the state’s low scores because our teachers put a really high significance on writing and reading starting from an early age,” sophomore Simoni Maniar said. “Even math classes have us write out explanations and this helps build an understanding of reasoning and comprehension which are important skills for the SAT.”

Along with a heavy emphasis on English, students believe affluence is a contributing factor when it comes to high SAT scores.

“Southlake’s always had amazing scores. We’re extremely lucky to be in this good environment and stable life; this allows us to put full focus on how we need to improve academically,” Maniar said.

Some students take the SAT two or three times. Scores also track closely with family income. This can make comparisons of scores among schools, districts and states problematic.

“Most CISD parents have worked extremely hard to achieve their affluence, and their children have observed those lessons,” AP English III teacher and SAT reading and writing tutor Lisa Salyer said. “Therefore while studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between affluence and achievement, which is certainly true for Carroll students, an inverse relationship also exists: achievement can lead to affluence.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for university scholarships administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The Class of 2015 had 18 National Merit Semifinalists, which means that these students scored at least a 218 or higher on their PSAT.

“I took AP Human Geography as a freshman and I believe that taking AP classes as soon as possible gets you on track for higher expectations you need for the PSAT and SAT,” senior and National Merit Semifinalist Justin Brolley said. “The idea of excellence we gain when we start to take AP classes persuades students to be the best they can and keep that standard, which shows through our stellar scores.”

Chief of assessment for the College Board, Cyndie Schmeiser, reports that the percent of students prepared for college has plateaued and has not changed much for the past five years. And according to the Washington Post, test results show that gains in reading and math in elementary grades haven’t led to broad improvement in high schools.

“Our students have more opportunities for outside test prep and families are financially ready and able to start participating in these preparatory classes at an early age,” counselor Tracey Flores said. “We also make it a point to familiarize students with these tests as early on as ninth grade so that students get comfortable with the format. Other districts might not have these helpful tools which could explain the nation as a whole having a considerably lower score.”

Administrators believe our teaching style is a factor for success as well.

“It’s our preparation and focus on college readiness that helps us know what to expect on the test,” Principal Shawn Duhon said. “As our kids receive this particular type of instruction from teachers, students enthusiastically took these skills and applied it SAT practice.”

In early 2016, the College Board will release a redesigned version of the SAT with an optional essay and will snap back to the 1600 scoring scale. Khan Academy will offer free online tutorials for students preparing for the new SAT. College Board officials are hoping to level the playing field for students who can’t afford expensive test-prep classes.

“I’m not sure how I feel regarding the new SAT; I’m not sure if I should feel anxious or relieved about the change,” Maniar said. “But I do know that either way, my school will prepare me well.”