MCPS Seniors Continue to Outpace State, National Averages on SAT Scores and Student Participation Rates

Average composite SAT scores for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Class of 2008 outpaced those of students throughout Maryland and across the nation by more than 100 points. Participation rate was 74 percent of the class—eclipsing the rates of participation both by students statewide (68 percent) and nationally (49 percent).

Mean scores on each SAT subtest (critical reading, math and writing) were at least 30 points higher than the subtest scores for Maryland and the nation. In math, the MCPS mean SAT score of 549 was 47 points higher than the Maryland mean score of 502.

The composite average MCPS class of 2008 score of 1616 is down slightly from last year’s score of 1624.

Overall, the number of MCPS students who took the SAT was down from 7,660 for the class of 2007 to 7,274 for the class of 2008. At the same time, however, MCPS saw a marked increase in ACT participation, which was up by 620 students this year.

As has been the case for years, MCPS, Maryland, and the nation continue to see that a disproportionate number of SAT test-takers are Asian American and White, rather than African American or Hispanic.

“This is a trend we are determined to correct, but one that will take time to completely overcome,” said Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of schools. “As Montgomery County has continued to grow more diverse, we continue to push for increased participation among all students of all backgrounds, because we believe it is the right thing to do.”

The SAT scores of MCPS students of all races/ethnicities were higher than the scores of their counterparts in Maryland and the nation, but the gaps among racial and ethnic groups observed in Maryland and the nation were also observed in MCPS. Asian American students’ scores actually increased in 2008 by 14 points to 1720 and White student scores increased by 4 points to 1740.