The scores show that over a period of years county schools have taken a step back, moved forward, only to retreat again. Overall SAT scores for Beaufort County students improved, according to this year's results. Hilton Head High School's average score was 1,019, up 12 points from 2002 and just 7 points below the national average of 1,026. Battery Creek High students averaged 939, an increase of 21 points. Beaufort High's average dropped to 930, a 21-point decrease from 2002 results.
While South Carolina boasts an 8-point increase, the
989 average is strikingly below the national average. South Carolina students remain second from the bottom, a step ahead of only Georgia.
Some county school administrators can smile about the gains at two high schools, but only Hilton Head can crow. The increase over a period of time is what counts. In 2001 Hilton Head seniors' average dropped for a second year, from 990 in 2000 to 981. Scores have risen by 38 points. The same year Battery Creek seniors averaged 971, a 44-point increase over the previous year and 3 points below the state average. In 2001, Beaufort High seniors averaged 957, a 32-point increase. Today both schools are far below those averages and nearly 100 points below the national average.
What does this say? It says that gender, race and family income probably still play a great role in a student's success. White, male, middle class students tended to perform higher on the test in South Carolina. It also is individual performance that really should count. Too many students are unprepared to take the test. If they want to take the test, they must take rigorous courses to prepare for it.
As we have said before in this space, it's no fun being near the bottom in a state that is at the bottom of the rankings. So what's the county and state to do?
South Carolinians have adopted several measuring instruments to determine how well a school is performing. They have implemented new programs designed to improve student academic performance.
School officials might consider a suggestion from a 1989 report by the Commission on the Future of South Carolina, but we doubt the County Council would approve the increase needed to pay for it. The commission recommended that the number of hours in the school day and the number of days in the school year be extended. This would permit time for remediation, curriculum enrichment and supervised study time. An additional benefit would be a reduction of child-care needs.
Another approach includes parents and the community. More parents and citizens must take an interest and make sacrifices to improve students' academic standing.
Gov. Mark Sanford this year reiterated his support for charter schools and said local governments should have more control over state education money. The state this week received a $1.3 million grant to move charter schools forward.
A magic bullet for improving SAT scores doesn't exist.
In the meantime, individuals in Beaufort County public schools can compete with the best in the country. A school in the county can compete with the best in the state and probably the Southeast. We should celebrate their successes but know that the rest have a steep road to climb.