Surf City students show smarts

Kris O’Donnell

School administrators in Huntington Beach whose students consistently

score higher on SATs than the average pupil in the nation and state

hope this year is no exception.

Recently released scores on the standardized test showed the

national average for the verbal and math portions of the test were up

by three points each, but are still lower than last year’s averages

from the area high schools.

“Based on [2002] scores, we are ahead of both the state and

national averages for the combined SAT scores,” said Edison High

School Principal Cynthia Clark. “Last year we had one student who

scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT and another 18 who were National

Merit Scholars.”

But test scores do not always tell the complete story, said Marina

High School Principal Steve Roderick.

“There are, often times, many particulars that may additionally

contribute to a students’ success in higher education,” Roderick

said.

There are signs that rising scores could veer off, however. Since

1993, according to the College Board, enrollment in English

composition courses, nationally, dropped from 79% to 66%. With essay

writing playing a significant factor in a new SAT test set for March

2005, there is a fear that scores may begin to decline.

Officials with the College Board, which sponsors the SAT test, say

the new exam will align itself more closely to curriculum and skills

required by today’s colleges and universities, Clark said.

Initially, the SAT exam was designed to serve a narrow purpose --

to help universities evaluate an applicant’s chances of success in

the freshman year.

“The new test will reflect a more authentic assessment of a

students capabilities,” Clark said.

The new SAT test is expected to be more grueling, taking 3 1/2

hours compared with three hours today, and be worth 2400 points

compared with 1600 today.

About 1.4-million students took the SAT test in 2002-03.