Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 09/08/1999 All articles from this issue

New SAT scores continue upward trend at FUHSD

printer friendly version

By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Results from the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) at the Fremont Union High School District exceeded state and national averages - again.

At Homestead High School in Cupertino, where approximately 100 students from Los Altos are enrolled, the senior class averaged 539 on the verbal reasoning section of the test, compared to the California average of 497 and the national average of 505. The students also outscored their national peers on the mathematical reasoning section, with an average score of 596, compared to the state average of 514 and the national average of 511.

Of the district's five high schools, 1,275 students - or 71 percent of the Class of 1999 - achieved a verbal mean score of 550 and a mathematical reasoning mean score of 615, according to the test results released this month.

Students nationwide take the exam during their junior and senior years of high school as part of their college application process.

Maribeth Smith, associate superintendent for educational planning and development, said district test scores have continued an upward trend over the past six years, with this year's scores increasing 3 to 5 percent overall.

Smith said the increase coincides with the rising number of students taking advanced placement courses in high school. Nearly 80 percent of the district's high school students qualified for higher-level courses on the advanced placement tests, she said.

"It's hard to say for sure why scores have increased," Smith said. "From my perspective, we've taken out a lot of obstacles along the way for students to take advanced courses. I believe that's impacted scores. If you've taken higher-level classes, it makes performing a lot easier."

Smith said she was most impressed with the "fairly big leap" in verbal scores at Fremont High, where there is a higher percentage of non-English speaking students. The verbal mean score at Fremont High increased from 476 to 496.

Smith said demographics and socioeconomics also impact scores.

More than 71 percent of the district's senior class took the exam for college eligibility, the same as last year. About 45 percent of those test takers spoke English as a first language.