| For immediate release May 18, 2010 |
Contact:
Larry Slonaker, SCCOE Phone: (408) 453-6662 |
University-Bound Students in Santa Clara County
Compete Well for Limited Spaces
SAN JOSE, CA – On university readiness assessments, Santa Clara County students score significantly higher than their statewide and nationwide counterparts, according to test results released Tuesday by the California Department of Education.
Results of the tests, which include some of the few true indicators that compare student performance nationwide under the same criteria, show that Santa Clara County public schools produce students who are well-prepared for college, according to an analysis of the Santa Clara County Office of Education's Assessment and Accountability Department. To view the entire analysis, go to www.sccoe.org.
For example, on Advanced Placement exams–on which high-school test-takers can receive college credit for a passing score--73 percent of exams taken by county students received a passing grade of "3" or better. Nationally, only 58 percent of exams scored a mark of at least 3.
The CDE on Tuesday released data for student performance on the Advanced Placement, SAT and ACT exams for the 2008-09 school year. In California, college readiness is broadly gauged by five factors: those three exams, along with University of California/California State University Eligibility and the Early Assessment Program test.
"The results show that our schools are doing an excellent job of preparing students who are bound for college to succeed when they get there," said Dr. Charles Weis, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools.
Other highlights of the analysis:
--Santa Clara County students who take the SAT have consistently outperformed students across the state and the nation, while also participating at higher rates. On the most recent test, county students outperformed students across the nation on the SAT by 38 points in Critical Reading, 64 points in Math and 50 points in Writing.
-- The average SAT in Critical Reading, Math and Writing scores for Santa Clara County students increased each year for three years countywide and in nearly all districts.
--13,484 Santa Clara County students took one or more AP Exams, an increase of more than 1,000 students since 2007-08, and more than 1,600 students since 2006-07. The percentage of exams countywide that received scores of 3 or better was relatively consistent: 72% in 2006-2007 to 73 percent in 2008-09.
-- Nearly half of county students have completed the rigorous A-G university course sequence, even though California universities provide space for only about 30 percent of students.
Date last updated: May 18, 2010
