District scores above state, below nation


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  • | 4:00 a.m. September 22, 2011
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According to this year’s SAT results, Flagler County’s best subject was critical reading, followed by math, then writing.

SAT scoring results, released by the College Board and issued by Flagler County Testing Coordinator Jim Devine, show district averages on par, albeit slightly lower, than last year’s numbers.

Unlike 2010’s statistics, however, Flagler’s scores came in higher than the state’s. Similar to last year, its scores were surpassed by the nation’s.

On a scoring scale of 200 to 800, Flagler seniors turned in test averages just under 500 points per subject, in critical reading, math and writing. Of 496 tested in the district — or about 58% of the senior class — Flagler averaged scores of 491 in critical reading (seven points lower than last year, when 436 seniors took the test); 493 in math (three points lower than last year); and 474 in writing (three points lower than last year).

Flagler Palm Coast High School, which tested 275 seniors, scored higher than Matanzas High School, with 219 tested, in every category but writing.

Compared to the nation, though — a 1.6 million-test sample — Flagler’s scores are falling behind.

The slightest scoring margin was recorded in critical reading: The district averaged 491, and the nation averaged 497 (last year, Flagler scored 498, as compared to the nation’s 501).

But the other two tests showed greater discrepancies.

In math, Flagler’s score of 493 was 21 points lower than the national average of 514. In writing, Flagler’s 474 was 15 points below the nation’s 489.

Last year’s results showed similar gaps.

Students take the SAT to qualify for Bright Futures Scholarships and to satisfy college entry requirements. Some take it as a supplement to the FCAT exam, in which a reading score of 420 and a math score of 340 are needed satisfy state requirements. But according to Devine, most students testing only for a score equivalent usually opt to take the ACT over the SAT.


CLASS NOTES

+ Edward Jones leads school supplies drive, plans more
Financial advisers Jamie Woyton and Marjorie Lettsome, of Edward Jones, presented school supplies Friday, Sept. 16, collected from community donations, to Buddy Taylor Middle School.

“The success of today’s students starts with a strong foundation of curriculum and resources,” Woyton said in a flier for the supplies drive. Noticing that teachers were having a hard time financially this year, Woyton said, he and staff began talking to teachers and asking what they needed. They said school supplies — glue, notebooks and loose-leaf paper.

Woyton and Lettsome got to work.

Woyton said he talks to 150 clients per week, and that all of the supplies collected at Edward Jones’ office would fit into one “big, giant suitcase.”

“This is going to be ongoing,” he added. “It was such a fun way to get people involved in the community.”

Next, he and staff are planning a used book drive, for which they are currently accepting donations. After, they’ll work with Toys for Tots. Then, they plan to survey clients and ask for charity suggestions. 

For more, call 446-6292. Drop donations (no cash or checks) off at the Edward Jones office, at 2 Pine Lakes Parkway N.

+ BrainChild offers tutoring for students with disabilities
Flagler Palm Coast High School Community Problem Solving project Flagler BrainChild will be offering free one-on-one tutoring for students with learning disabilities, in Flagler County.

Students with disabilities, grades one through 12, are invited to come to the Government Services Building for after-school tutoring.

Email the team at [email protected].

— Send class notes, including photos, to [email protected].

 

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