State SAT scores drop, but remain among best in nation

Washington's graduating seniors may have done worse on the math and reading portions of the SAT than they have in years, but their average scores were still among the best in the country. The College Board, which owns the college-entrance exam, released scores from the class of 2007 yesterday. In Washington, the average critical reading score was 526 out of 800, the state's worst score since 1994, while the average math score was 531, the lowest in six years.

The score for the writing category — an extra section introduced in 2006 as part of a revamped SAT — was 510.

About half of the students eligible to take the SAT in the state — nearly 35,000, including private schools — participated, and their average scores in all three of the test sections dipped one point from last year.

But among states in which participation was 30 percent or greater, Washington's average reading and math scores were the highest. "College readiness is a key measure of our K-12 education system," said Terry Bergeson, the state superintendent of public instruction. "So I'm again excited and proud to hear that Washington students are among the best in the nation on this widely respected indicator of how well they're prepared for college."

Nationally, reading and math scores fell to their lowest points since 1999. The average reading score was 502, down one point from 2005, and math dropped three points, to 515.

Of the more than 30,000 Washington public-school students who took the test, the average reading score was 522, the average math score 527 and the average writing score 505.

Two Eastside school districts released scores Tuesday. In Lake Washington, the average reading score was 552, average math 563 and average writing 542. Bellevue students scored an average 561 in reading, 582 in math and 550 in writing.

The College Board didn't explain why scores were declining but pointed to a record number of students — almost 1.5 million — participating this year.

In 2005, the SAT was overhauled and a third section was added after major universities threatened to stop using it as an entry requirement.

The new test is worth 2,400 points total. Thirty-one Washington students achieved a perfect score.

"I am encouraged by the greater numbers of students from all walks of life who are taking on the challenge of the SAT and college," College Board President Gaston Caperton said in a statement.

Having more students taking the test can lower state averages, because more lower-scoring students are factored in.

Maine had the highest participation rate, with a reported 100 percent of eligible students taking the SAT, while South Dakota had the lowest, at 3 percent.

Iowa, with 613 in math and 608 in reading, had the highest average scores in those categories. Scores in Maine were the lowest, with 466 in reading and 465 in math.

Minorities fared well nationally, with most groups seeing slight gains in reading scores.

Test scores for the SAT's rival, the ACT, improved for the fourth consecutive year in Washington, according to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. About 10,500 students took that test this year.

Christina Siderius: csiderius@seattletimes.com