The percentage of the Boise District senior class
taking the Scholastic Aptitude test increased in 2006-07,
after decreasing dramatically in 2005-06. As changes
in the percentage of the class taking the test occur,
scores typically increase or decrease, because larger
or smaller percentages of the highest achieving District
students take the test. Predictably, scores improved
in 2005-06, as test-taking numbers declined. In 2006-07,
scores declined, as test-taking numbers increased.
Boise District students take a higher percentage of
SAT tests than do students around the state. Just over
nine percent of the state's K-12 students reside in
the Boise District; however, District students took
20% of the statewide SAT tests in 2006-07.
Higher participation percentages often lead to lower
scores on tests taken by only a portion of the population.
However, Boise's average SAT scores are higher than
the state and nation, and have been stable for the
past few years.
The SAT has included a mandatory writing test for
the past two years. The drop in scores from 2005-06
to 2006-07 is attributable to the same phenomenon affecting
scores in the two longer-lived subareas, Math and Critical
Reading.
In 2006-07, 46% of District SAT test-takers were male,
and 54% were female. This gender test-taking pattern
has held over time and is similar to the national pattern.
As is the case with the ACT, boys tend to score higher
on the Math subtest, while girls score higher in Writing
and in Critical Reading.
The SAT provides an interesting analysis of scoring
patterns and family income. Though the fact that students
self-report family incomes may affect the accuracy
of data, it is nonetheless fascinating data.
In addition, data are provided about average scores
for different socio-economic groups. Following are
average scores in Critical Reading and Math for the
different groups.
Score Report Preferences at Time of Testing
Following is a summary of institutions to which students
in the high sschool graduating class of 2007 sent ACT
scores.
| RANK |
INSTITUTION |
NUMBER
OF
STUDENTS |
| 1 |
Boise State University |
236 |
| 2 |
University of Idaho |
186 |
| 3 |
University of Washington |
68 |
| 4 |
Washington State University |
61 |
| 5 |
Albertson College of Idaho |
57 |
| 6 |
Oregon State University |
52 |
| 7 |
Idaho State University |
48 |
| 8 |
University of Oregon |
43 |
| 8 |
Montana State University |
33 |
| 10 |
Lewis and Clark College (OR) |
33 |
| 11 |
Seattle University |
26 |
| 12 |
Willamette University |
25 |
| 12 |
Portland State University |
25 |
| 12 |
University of Colorado |
25 |
| 12 |
University of Montana |
25 |
| 12 |
Gonzaga University |
25 |
Last updated on 8/29/2007 |
