Press Release issued Friday, December 13, 1996

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, December 13, 1996
FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RELEASES FIVE-YEAR
COMPARISONS OF SAT SCORES FOR ETHNIC GROUPS

Superintendent Robert R. Spillane has released a five-year comparison of scores for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) seniors by ethnic group who took the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I): Reasoning Test from 1992 to 1996. FCPS 1996 composite scores for all ethnic groups increased over the five-year period.

FCPS 1992 and 1996 composite scores for each ethnic group were higher than those in the nation or in Virginia. FCPS composite scores for each ethnic group increased over the five-year period by more points than those in the nation or in Virginia except for Hispanic students. However, the FCPS composite scores for Hispanic students remain higher than the national and state scores for that group.

Commenting on the scores, Spillane said, "We are very pleased with the 1996 scores of each of our ethnic groups, which are higher than those in the nation or in Virginia. I am especially encouraged by the steady five-year increase for each ethnic group. These statistics are very significant, because 88 percent of our students took the SAT compared to 41 percent in the nation and 68 percent in the state."

Following are the highlights of the FCPS SAT I results by ethnic group from 1992 and 1996:

• Over the five-year period, average composite scores for FCPS Asian students increased by 27 points compared to 16 points in the nation and 23 points in Virginia (See Table 3.)
• Over the five-year period, average composite scores for FCPS African American students increased by 25 points, compared to nine points in the nation and five points in Virginia. (See Table 3.)
• Over the five-year period, scores for FCPS White students increased by 32 points compared to 15 points in the nation and ten points in Virginia. (See Table 3.)

Note: For further information, contact Maryanne Roesch, (703) 208-7784. (attachments)