Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools November 2013 | Page 10

Reading, writing SAT scores rise in CMS

Participation in Advanced Placement also increases
and increase
performance on
the test.”
The
number of
students
taking the SAT
declined by
9.9 percent
for CMS,
compared to
an 8.2 percent
decrease in
North Carolina.
Graduating
seniors in the
class of 2013
were the first
required to
take the ACT,
a college
admissions
test, in their
junior year.
This likely
impacted
students’ SAT participation as seniors.
The district also emphasizes writing in its
high school curricula, particularly in English
Language Arts.
“We emphasize writing every day, writing
on demand and more
substantive writing
projects that require
revision and multiple
drafts,” said Roxanne
V. Breland, an English
curriculum specialist
with the district.
There was a range
of performance on the
SAT by school within the
A day time train ride with Santa
district. Seven schools
and his helpers as they hand out
had an average score
oranges and candy canes.
above the national
Stay to make a craft!
average. Eight schools
had an average score
above the North Carolina
average.
North Carolina’s
average overall SAT
score was 1479 and the
national average overall
was 1498. The CMS
increases overall, as
well as those in reading
An evening train ride
and writing, narrowed
to the Roundhouse
the gap between the
to sit on Santa’s lap,
district and the nation.
share cookies and
Visit www.nctrans.org for more! cocoa & make a craft! CMS reading scores
rose in 2013 to within
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411 S. Salisbury Ave Rides at 5:30 & 6:30 p.m. average. The district’s
7:30pm (tentative)
math scores are within
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704-636-2889

CharlotteMecklenburg
Schools posted
gains in student
performance on the
reading and writing
portions of the SAT,
an assessment
used to gauge
student readiness
for college-level work. The increases come after two
years of declining district scores on the assessment.
The average overall CMS score on the threepart test rose by 10 points to 1473. The maximum
possible score is 2400 (each section is valued at 800
points). The average district score on the reading
section of the test rose by six points to 493. On
the writing portion, the average district score rose
by four points to 477. Math scores for the district
remained flat at 503.
“We are pleased to see these increases in
our scores because we are placing a very strong
emphasis on preparing every student for these
important college-admissions requirements,” said
Dr. Heath E. Morrison, superintendent of CharlotteMecklenburg Schools. “We have encouraged
students to use the Triumph tool, a free program
to help them prepare for the SAT. Each school
has a plan for the SAT and the ACT college tests
to encourage student participation. We have also
trained principals in how to encourage participation

Celebrate A Railroad
Christmas!

Santa Train and
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa

Santa Train

Nov. 29-30, Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22

COOKIES & COCOA
WITH SANTA

8 • November/December 2013 • Parent Teacher Magazine?

average and the writing scores within one point.
North Carolina’s average 2013 scores were 495
in reading, 506 in math and 478 in writing. The
state posted increases in reading and writing in
2013, compared to 2012; math scores were flat.
Nationally, the average score in reading was
496, in math 514 and in writing 488, with all
scores unchanged from a year ago.
The College Board also released results for the
Advanced Placement (AP) program. The number
of CMS students taking AP tests rose 9.5 percent
to 4,592 and the number of tests taken rose 7.2
percent to 9,012. The CMS increases were greater
than the state, where test-takers increased by 5.8
percent and the number of tests taken increased
by 6.2 percent. The number of tests graded as a
3, 4 or 5 declined 0.2 percent to 5,881.
“We are working intentionally to increase the
number of students taking AP courses and further
increase training for teachers,” said Morrison.
“Increasing access to more rigorous classes better
prepares our students for post-secondary success.”
AP exams are scored on a five-point scale with
scores of 3, 4 or 5 being considered high enough
to qualify for college credit or placement at most
colleges and universities.
*Data in this release is sourced from the
College Board and includes all CMS graduates for
the class of 2013. In reviewing the data from
NCDP