SAT results released Tuesday by the College Board showed under 30 percent of 2014 First State high school grads hit the benchmark for being college and career ready.
According to the College Board, 27.7 percent of Delaware test-takers met the benchmark of a 1550 composite score. That percentage dropped to 21 percent among the state’s public school students.
The overall percentage is a 5.7 percent increase since 2012, but remains below the national average of nearly 43 percent reaching the benchmark.
The Class of 2014’s mean composite score in Delaware was 1497.
State officials argue its difficult to compare Delaware to other states because it is the only state with a Universal SAT program that requires every public school junior to take the test. In 2012, the program increased SAT participation by nearly 5,000 students.
State officials also note half of First State schools saw student scores increase compared to 2012. For example, Dickinson High in the Red Clay School District saw a 101-point jump in its students’ mean total score and a 58 percent increase in participation.
Additionally, 50 percent more female students took the exam statewide between 2011 and 2014.
