2003-04 SAT Results
By Brett King, Principal
Last spring, RMCA students in grades 2-7 took the
Stanford Achievement Test (SAT). The results from standardized tests
such as the SAT provide RMCA with information that helps us measure
success on various scales. We chose the SAT in particular because it
is one of the most popular norm-referenced tests used by private and
parochial schools (and principally used by members of the Association
of Christian Schools International – ACSI). Using the same test
as similar schools allows us to compare ourselves on a more equivalent
basis.
The scores indicate that students consistently scored
significantly higher than national averages and slightly better than
other ACSI Christian schools that took the test. The scores for each
group were also similar to their performance in previous years.
One test score we were particularly interested
in this year was elementary math. As a result of parent and teacher
feedback, along with an analysis of SAT scores over time, we began implementing
a new text book series in elementary math. While it is too early to
come to a definitive conclusion, it appears that the curriculum change
resulted in slightly higher math scores.
Test results can tell us a lot. But no important
conclusion should ever be based on the results of a single test. To
accurately evaluate an individual student, or a whole school, test scores
should be considered as ONE valuable source of information. I hope this
information, in conjunction with what you observe on a day-to-day basis,
will give you further confidence in the investment you make in your
children.
* The percentile score reported indicates the relative
standing of a student (or group) in comparison with other students in
the same grade norm group who took the test at a comparable time. Percentile
ranks range from a low of 1 to a high of 99, with 50 denoting average
performance for the grade. For example, a PR of 75 would indicate that
for a particular test, a student performed as well as or better than
75% of the students in the reference group.
**The Bible Assessment Score represents the percentage
of students in a grade level who scored proficient or above.
For more information about Standardized
Testing, including why RMCA chooses to use standardized tests, what
they measure, and how best to prepare your child for testing,
click here.
