SAT participation up, scores down in RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Recent statistics show that more local students are taking part in the SATs, though scores are down both locally and nationally.

Officials from the Department of Education tell us that the SAT participation rate rose a percentage point, up to 65 percent among last year's senior class. Rhode Island is tied with North Carolina for the 14th-highest participation rate in the country.

On the SAT scale of 200 to 800, average scores dropped five points in critical reading, down to 477, two points in math, down to 480, and four points in writing, down to 470.

These scores reflect a downward trend nationally, which decreased two points in reading, down to 491, one point in math, down to 505, and down one point in writing, down to 481.

Participation in AP exams has also continued to see a positive trend in the Ocean State. According to the College Board, a total of 3,456 public school students, a rise of 11.4 percent, took a total of 5,079 exams, an increase of 15.2 percent, during the 2011-2012 school year.

The results showed that students scored 3 out of 5 or better in 57 percent of those exams.