Lynn below state MCAS averages

LYNN – The College Board released its annual list of average school and state SAT scores this week, showing a slight increase in scores statewide, while Lynn remained slightly below state averages.Overall, Massachusetts public high school results increased over 2008 numbers on both the reading and math exams, but decreased one point in writing. Among states with 60 percent participation or higher, Massachusetts was first in math, second behind New Hampshire in critical reading and second behind Connecticut in writing.On a scale of 800 points, Massachusetts averaged scores of 508 in critical reading, 522 in math and 504 in writing.Of the city’s three public high schools, Lynn English scored the highest on the critical reading and writing exams, scoring an average of 433 and 424, respectively. Classical was second in both of those categories, scoring averages of 432 and 419, but boasted the highest math average at 451. English scored the second highest in math with an average score of 448.Lynn Vocational and Technical Institute scored slightly lower in all three categories with far fewer test takers in 2009, as only 46 students combined to average 394 points in critical reading, 395 in writing and 381 in math.Although Lynn’s scores are below state averages, they are actually right on par with other large, urban districts in the state, where students traditionally score lower for a multitude of reasons. With MCAS testing now the standard in student assessment in the state, SAT participation has seen a slight decrease, despite most colleges’ desire for students to take the test.In all, 72 percent of Massachusetts public high school students participated, which is the third highest participation rate in the country. The average participation across the country was 36 percent.”Our students make me so proud,” Gov. Deval Patrick said in a statement. “This achievement is a credit to their hard work and the commitment of their teachers and families. We owe it to them to sharpen our focus on closing the achievement gap and giving all students access to the best education possible.”One of the issues in urban districts is the challenges facing minority students taking the test, proven again in the state results where white and Asian students significantly outscored their classmates of other ethnicities.According to the college board numbers, African American students showed a steep decline in all three categories, while Hispanic students increased slightly in writing and reading, but still came in well behind white and Asian students.”These persistent achievement gaps in performance are evident across all state and national assessments and are very troubling to me,” said Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. “We face no greater challenge in American education today than in finding ways to narrow and eventually close the achievement disparities between students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. All students – regardless of race, income or zip code – deserve the skills, support and tools necessary to achieve at high levels.”For a full list of results visit www.mass.gov/doe.