Yosemite’s SAT scores set record

by Earlene Ward

Yosemite High School

Yosemite High School’s 2001 seniors received the highest scores in the school’s history on the SAT (formerly the Scholastic Aptitude Test), administered by The College Board. Eighty-eight seniors tested and earned an average score of 1065 (536 in math and 529 in verbal). This compares to an average of 1015 for California (517 math and 498 verbal) and 1020 nationwide (514 math, 506 verbal). A total score of 1600 is possible. The highest scores received prior to this year by YHS seniors were 1060 in 1999 and 1053 in 1987. “Obviously we are very pleased with these high scores,” says YHS Principal Steve Raupp.

Students who plan to attend college take either the SAT or the ACT. YHS students scored above the state and national averages on both in 2001. Other optional tests taken by YHS students are International Baccalaureate (IB) and/or Advanced Placement (AP).

In 2001, 249 students took IB tests. Six graduating seniors earned full IB diplomas. This was by far the most students who tested in IB; in 1998, 68 tested; 1999, 79 and 2000, 142. Sixty-two percent of the YHS students who tested received a passing score. Because this was the first year all students enrolled in an IB class were required to test, Mr. Raupp says the scores will be used as a benchmark. The district’s goal is for a five percent annual increase in the number who pass.

Beginning this school year, YHS is offering four Advanced Placement classes through a grant from the state. In the past, some students have tested without the benefit of having studied the AP curriculum. School officials expect higher scores this year after students study the specific subject matter.

Unofficial results from the High School Exit Exam (HSEE) show that 62 percent of the freshmen who took the test last spring passed both subjects (math and English language). Eighty-six percent passed the English test and 58 percent passed the math test.

“We’re moderately pleased with these results,” Mr. Raupp says. “We have to realize that this was the pilot administration with ninth grade students taking a test designed to be given in the spring of their sophomore year. To receive these results from freshmen is encouraging.”

The district goal is for 75 percent of the class of 2004 (this year’s sophomores) to pass the HSEE by the end of this school year. “We believe that is attainable, based on last spring’s results,” Mr. Raupp says. The first official HSEE examination will be given in the spring of 2002 to the sophomores. Students who passed the test last year as freshmen do not have to test again in the subjects they passed. Those who did not pass last spring will be given multiple opportunities to retest prior to their graduation date.

While the SAT, ACT, IB and AP tests are optional for students, the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) is required of all students from second to 11th grades. California administers the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition (Stanford 9).

The YHS scores on the nationwide standardized test were well above the state and national averages. This year was the first year standards-based tested was included in the STAR. “Since this was the first time we have seen information to track student performance on the standards, we can’t really draw any conclusions,” Mr. Raupp said. Scores for English Language Arts standards were released earlier this month.

“We continue to focus on the California Content Standards,” Mr. Raupp notes. “As the STAR testing shifts more to standards based tests, that’s going to become increasingly important.” In all subjects and all grades, YHS students scored above the 50th percentile in all but two areas. Mr. Raupp comments that the freshmen class last year had the highest scores of any freshmen in the four years of the test. He also notes that when a class of students is tracked through the high school grades, from their freshman year to their junior year, there is a clear pattern of progress from one grade to the next showing significant growth.

“This is very important information,” Mr. Raupp says. “When you can show growth from grade to grade by the same students, you have an indication that your programs are working effectively.” The STAR test results are used by the state to calculate school’s Academic Performance Index (API), these will be released in October for the 2000-01 school year.