Florida's Minority Students Top The Nation on College Entrance Exam

Monday, September 24, 2012

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Florida's Minority Students Top The Nation on College Entrance Exam

- Students' SAT performance rises across the board -

Tallahassee, Fla., September 24, 2012 - A report released today by the College Board shows that Florida's graduating seniors increased their mean scores in every SAT subject area in 2011-12. The SAT Report on College and Career Readiness highlights achievement scores in critical reading, mathematics, and writing for public school students who took the SAT at some point in high school. Once again, Florida's Hispanic students outperformed others nationwide on each SAT subsection. The mean score for Hispanic students in critical reading is 29 points higher than the nation, 13 points higher in mathematics, and 20 points higher in writing. Florida's black students increased their critical reading scores by seven points - while national performance remained unchanged. The mathematics score for Florida's black students increased three points, compared to a stagnant score for black students nationwide; and, in writing, black students increased their mean score by six points compared to a one-point decrease for their counterparts across the nation.

"I am pleased that our students are improving their SAT performance. The data released today are proof that their hard work is preparing them for the next step in education and life," said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. "I want to thank our state's educators for their selfless contribution to our student's success, and I applaud their efforts to help ensure our students realize their full potential."

Florida ranks third in the nation for the total number of Advanced Placement (AP) grades of 3 or higher. The number of AP exam grades 3 or higher earned by our state's students increased 8.3 percent this year, compared to a 1.8 percent increase in the number of AP exams administered in Florida's public schools. Florida has the greatest number of black AP exam takers in the nation - as well as the greatest number of AP grades of 3 or higher received by black students when compared to all other states.