Garden City administrators are seeking ways to help students achieve higher SAT scores, announced Dr. Teresa Prendergast, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, at the December 15th meeting of the Garden City Board of Education.

The discussion was initiated by Garden City resident Denise Menelly, who asked how parents, teachers and administrators can work together to help students increase their SAT scores. She was unable to attend the Student Achievement Report presentation in November, but upon reviewing the statistics provided at the meeting believes the scores can be improved.

“I think things like SAT scores, when compared to a lot of other school districts, felt like it was quite low compared to what I think it should be for Garden City,” she said.

Dr. Prendergast admitted that administrators expected SAT scores to be higher since enrollment in Advanced Placement courses, as well as scores on AP exams, have seen “tremendous growth” over the past several years. Of the 448 sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled in AP courses, 1,003 AP exams were administered in May; 72 percent received a score of 3 or higher, and 42 percent received a score of 4 or higher.

“We were a little perplexed about those SAT scores as well,” Dr. Prendergast said, especially since more students are taking demanding courses. She added that in mathematics, for example, more students are taking four years of the subject by enrolling in the rigorous AP Calculus course. “One would think that with those types of achievements that we would see comparable results in SATs,” she said.

When last year’s student Math and Critical Writing SAT scores are compared to those of students in eight other districts (Cold Spring Harbor, Herricks, Great Neck North, Great Neck South, Locust Valley, Manhasset, North Shore and Roslyn), Garden City ranks eighth. When Critical Reading SAT scores are compared, Garden City ties with Great Neck North for the next-to-last position.

The average Garden City Math SAT score was 574; Great Neck South had the highest average Math SAT score out of the nine districts, with a 625, and Locust Valley had the lowest, with a 536. The average Garden City Critical Reading SAT score was 543; Cold Spring Harbor had the highest score with a 584 and Locust Valley had the lowest score with a 522. The average Garden City Writing SAT score was 546; Roslyn has the highest score with a 592, Locust Valley had the lowest with a 517.

Administrators will continue to research ways to raise student SAT performance, including examining if a correlation exists between SAT Subject Tests and the SAT. According to the CollegeBoard Web site, the SAT Subject Tests measure knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, and a student’s ability to apply that knowledge. The tests are the only national admissions tests that allow students to demonstrate mastery of content in specific subjects, including English, history, mathematics, science and various foreign languages.

Dr. Prendergast cautioned the public from placing too much importance on the comparison with other districts. There is no way to verify the scores provided from other districts, and students are not required to report scores. As less emphasis is being placed on the SAT by several prestigious universities, more students have started taking the ACT, a separate national college admission and placement exam.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen said the school district does not teach directly to the SAT exam. According to Dr. Feirsen, some universities are actually no longer considering the results when it comes time for placement decisions. “We think the SAT is valuable,” he said. “We are certainly interested in finding out what it is that will help our students reach higher levels of SAT performance. On the other hand, we don’t see that as the only measure of how effective our program has been.”

According to Dr. Prendergast, the Student Achievement Report presentation will become an annual event and the date will be featured in next year’s school calendar and parent guide. The report is available for review in the “Quick Links” section on the home page of the district’s Web site.

School Board President Colleen Foley said all curriculum coordinators attended the November presentation and welcomed public input. “It’s important to have those kinds of meetings and have that exchange of dialogue,” she said.

In related news, Dr. Prendergast also announced at the school board meeting that a new AP course, Environmental Science, will be added beginning in September. The course will be available to eleventh- and twelfth-graders who have completed an earth science and the living environment curriculum. “We believe that this proposal offers a value to the Garden City High School program,” she said. “It certainly supports our district goals and is a benefit for our students.”