Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce

For immediate release -- September 4, 2009

Georgia’s SAT scores need a fair comparison

In his Gainesville Times September 2 column, Tom Crawford takes unjustified shots at Governor Sonny Perdue and State School Superintendent Kathy Cox over Georgia SAT scores.   Crawford uses his brand of statistical reporting to indicate how poorly Georgia has done in education over the past seven years.

Crawford stated, "During the past academic year, students in the southern states of Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, and Kentucky all had higher average SAT scores than Georgia."  Please note the term "higher average SAT scores."  This means that all SAT scores are added and the total is divided by the number of students taking the test.  I point this out because some states test only those students who plan to go to college; other states use different criteria for college placement.

For the past five years I have been a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees the budget for K-12 Education, and as a retired statistics professor, I believe I’m qualified to discuss educational accomplishments in Georgia.  Folks, this gets a little heavy on the numbers, so please stick with me.

In the most recent SAT, Georgia tested 71% of students.  In order to compare "apples to apples," this discussion is only about those states which tested at least 40% of the students.  Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky tested fewer than 40% of their students, so they did not qualify for comparison.

The most recently released SAT scores had Georgia with a 1460 (Maximum of 2400), which was ahead of DC, Hawaii, Maine, and South Carolina--all of which had more than 40% of their students taking the test.

The national news media doesn't like to admit it, but some ethnic groups score better on SAT than do others.  Georgia's four main ethnic populations, percentage of total student population, and SAT scores are as follows: Asian (5%) (1600), Hispanic (5%) (1432), Black (30%) (1272), and White (55%) (1551). The 279 point gap (1551-1272) between the Black and White students is unacceptable.  Superintendent Cox has set forth a special effort to close it.

Let's go back and view the data in a different light.  There were 13 states whose Asian populations scored less than 1600; 18 states whose Hispanics scored less than 1432; 12 states whose Blacks scored less than 1272; and 7 states whose Whites scored less than 1551.  Why isn't Georgia's SAT ranked higher?

Comparing Georgia (1460) with Pennsylvania (1477) will give us the statistical reason.  All four of GA's ethnic groups ranked higher than PA's--Asian (1600 vs 1571); Hispanic (1432 vs 1321); Black (1272 vs 1208); White (1551 vs 1522).  So how is PA's SAT 17 points higher than that of Georgia?

Remember the state SAT score is an average of all the students taking the test.  Thirty percent of Georgia's students taking the test were Black (1272) while only 10 percent of Pennsylvania's students were Black (1208).  It is encouraging to note that every year the SAT among Georgia's Black student population has improved.

One of the areas in which the Georgia Education system excels even more is on Advanced Placement exams.  Georgia leads the nation with the growth of students taking the AP exams and those who pass with acceptable grades.  Studies show that exposure to AP courses will increase SAT scores at least 20 points. We need to continue to encourage more students to take AP courses.

Crawford’s final shot contends that Perdue and Cox have not met "adequate yearly progress" and should appear on the "Needs Improvement" list.  Perhaps Crawford needs to sign up for a Continuing Education course in statistics at NGCSU.  Given a fair comparison, Georgia’s SAT scores are better than some media “gurus” give us credit for.

My thanks go to State School Superintendent Kathy Cox. She and her staff provided much of the data used in this week’s column.  For some interesting reading on statistics, I recommend DAMNED LIES AND STATISTICS by Joel Best.  He said, "It is easy to lie with statistics, but it is easier to lie without them."

Let me know what you think about how our students are doing on the SAT.  I can be reached at 689 N. Chestatee Street, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533; 706/864-6589; e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Or call Gerald Lewy, my Communications Director, at 706/344-7788.  He’ll know how to get your message to me.  Remember, the secret of good government is a well-informed electorate.

For more information contact:      
Gerald Lewy         
Communications Director
House District 9 – Amerson
471 Cloudland Road
Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Phone: 706/864-4613
E-mail: Gerald This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it