News Releases
FCPS Students Continue to Post SAT and ACT Scores Above State, National Averages
Students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) class of 2013 outperformed their peers in Virginia and the nation on the SAT, according to results released by the Virginia Department of Education. FCPS scores are 42 points above the state’s average in Critical Reading, 57 points above the state’s average in Mathematics, and 47 points above the state’s average in Writing. SAT results compiled by the College Board show that FCPS students posted average scores of 554 in Critical Reading, 568 in Mathematics, and 541 in Writing for an overall composite score of 1663, up from last year’s overall composite score of 1660 (see Table 1). The state composite score was up 7 points and the national composite score down 3 points in comparison to last year’s scores.
10 schools in Fairfax County improved from last year in all three sections: Edison, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, Mount Vernon, South Lakes, Stuart, West Springfield, and Woodson High Schools. Students at Stuart High Schools posted the greatest gains by increasing the school’s Critical Reading average by 23 points, the Mathematics average by 18 points and the Writing average by 17 points. Students at Woodson High School increased the Critical Reading average by 16 points, the Mathematics average by 9 points and the Writing average by 11 points. Students at Edison High School increased the Critical Reading average by 14 points, the Mathematics average by 10 points and the Writing average by 14 points (see Table 2).
Of the 25 high schools in FCPS, 18 saw an increase in their Critical Reading average, 16 saw an increase in their Mathematics average, and 10 saw an increase in their Writing average over the last year. Marshall and South Lakes High Schools made steady gains in all three areas over the last three years.
Additional highlights of the SAT results for FCPS, as reported by the College Board, include the following:
FCPS students posted higher average scores than students in the state or nation by subgroup in Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing (see Table 3).
FCPS Asian students exceeded the state average for Asian students by 19 points in Critical Reading, 29 points in Mathematics, and 23 points in Writing (see Table 3).
FCPS Black students exceeded the state average for Black students by 42 points in Critical Reading, by 43 points in Mathematics, and by 42 points in Writing (see Table 3).
FCPS Hispanic students exceeded the state average for Hispanic students by 14 points in Critical Reading, by 19 points in Mathematics, and by 16 points in Writing (see Table 3).
FCPS White students exceeded the state average for White students by 40 points in Critical Reading, by 48 points in Mathematics, and by 44 points in Writing (see Table 3).
FCPS average scores increased 3 point in Critical Reading, increased 5 points in Mathematics, and increased 1 point in Writing when compared to 2011 results (see Table 1).
The state average score increased 3 points in Critical Reading, increased 4 points in Mathematics, and 2 points for Writing when compared to 2011 results (see Table 1).
The national average scores went down 3 points in all three areas when compared to 2011 results (see Table 1).
FCPS does an additional analysis of College Board data that includes only students from FCPS’ class of 2013 in its results(see Table 4). (College Board data may include the scores of students from other jurisdictions and students who are home schooled who took the SAT in Fairfax County high schools. The FCPS analysis uses the test scores of students who were members of the senior class in June 2013—based on the FCPS student information system— and race-ethnic designations taken from school registration records. The FCPS analysis excludes all non-FCPS students as well as students who were tested while enrolled in FCPS but who moved or may have been retained and were not part of the senior class.) Data from this FCPS analysis show an average critical reading score of 565, a mathematics score of 579, and a writing score of 554. According to FCPS, 76 percent of the FCPS class of 2013 took the SAT; when students attending alternative high schools are included in the calculation the percentage is 72 percent.
ACT Scores
The ACT tests are designed to assess the general educational development of high school students and the ability of high school students to complete college-level coursework. The tests represent a curriculum-based measure of college readiness in English, mathematics, reading, and science. A writing test is optional. According to data released by ACT, Inc., the number of FCPS students taking the ACT increased from 3,916 in 2012 to 4,029 in 2013, with average ACT scores increasing in English, mathematics, reading, science reasoning, and the composite. Table 5 shows the three-year trend of the division’s ACT average scores in comparison to the average scores of Virginia and nation.
FCPS has also released a set of ACT data separate from that reported by the ACT, Inc. The FCPS-compiled data are based on more accurately analyzed FCPS results. A comparison of ACT scores as reported by FCPS and as reported by ACT, Inc. is also included. According to FCPS, approximately 19 percent of the FCPS class of 2013 took the ACT.
Through collaboration with postsecondary institutions, ACT has established college readiness benchmark scores for designated college courses. (English Composition: 18 on ACT English test; Algebra: 22 on Mathematics test; Social Science: 22 on ACT Reading tests; and Biology: 23 on ACT Science test). Highlights of FCPS ACT results released by ACT, Inc., on these college readiness benchmarks include the following (see Table 6):
87 percent of FCPS students who took ACT tests are ready for college-level coursework in English composition. That can be compared to 76 percent of students in Virginia and 64 percent of students nationwide.
76 percent of FCPS students who took ACT tests are ready for college-level coursework in mathematics. That can be compared to 57 percent in Virginia and 44 percent nationwide.
70 percent of FCPS students who took ACT tests are ready for college-level coursework in social science (based on reading scores). That can be compared to 57 percent in Virginia and 44 percent nationwide.
63 percent of FCPS students who took ACT tests are ready for college-level coursework in science. That can be compared to 47 percent in Virginia and 36 percent nationwide.
54 percent of FCPS students who took ACT tests met all four ACT benchmark scores. That can be compared to 37 percent in Virginia and 26 percent nationwide.
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Note: For more information, contact Kathy Oliver at 571-423-1405 or
koliver@fcps.edu.