[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 107 (Friday, September 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SALUTING MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND, STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, 
        SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND PARENTS FOR OUTSTANDING SAT SCORES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share with my colleagues the 
news that the highest systemwide average SAT score (1102) ever achieved 
by the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) was produced by the 
graduating class of 2004, marking the first time the average score has 
exceeded 1100. The average included the highest ever average 
mathematics score (561) and the highest average verbal score in 12 
years (541), the first increase in the average verbal score in five 
years. The improvements were achieved with a student participation rate 
of 80.2 percent, representing the largest group (7,263 students) ever 
to take the test in the school district.
  The higher SAT scores mark the achievements of the first graduating 
class of students taking the SAT who were exposed to the full range of 
the ongoing high school reforms in Montgomery County. The reforms began 
when the students were ninth graders in the 2000-2001 school year and 
have expanded greatly the opportunities for more rigorous coursework in 
preparation for college.
  In addition, the improvement included a significant gain in the 
system's ``average highest score,'' the same number used by colleges to 
identify the best performance among students on the SAT. The system's 
average highest score increased to 1115 last year, the best result ever 
and an increase of eight points over the year before.
  Overall, there were numerous achievements in the 2004 SAT results for 
which MCPS should be proud:
  Highest ever average SAT score of 1102, a gain of eight points;
  Best ever ``average highest SAT score'' of 1115, a gain of eight 
points;
  Highest ever average math score (561);
  Largest number of students ever taking the SAT (7,263 students);
  Highest average score for white students (1163), a gain of 10 points;
  Highest average score for Asian American students (1160), a gain of 
33 points;
  Most high schools (four) with average scores above 1200;
  Most high schools (11) with average scores above 1100; and
  Average score of students receiving special education services 
increased by 26 points to 924.
  The average scores for African American and Hispanic students 
receiving Federal meal assistance also increased significantly--up 17 
points among African American students (854) and six points among 
Hispanic students (837). This is an important point because the 
percentage of both groups of students participating in the Free and 
Reduced-price Meal System (FARMS) is increasing, lowering the overall 
average score for each group even as the specific subgroup scores 
increase.
  According to Dr. Jerry D. Weast, Superintendent of the Montgomery 
County Public Schools, all of this has occurred during a significant 
demographic change in student enrollment, characterized by greater 
cultural and racial/ethnic diversity, a rise in students from low-
income families, an increase in the number of students for whom English 
is a second language, and more students with disabilities.
  I want to commend Dr. Weast, the Members of the Montgomery County 
Board of Education, and all teachers, principals and staff for 
implementing school improvements including strengthened curriculum, 
improved assessments, greater coordination among and within schools, 
and increased staff training and professional development. The 
improvements also included increased student enrollment in expanded 
Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses.
  Mr. Speaker, public schools are truly the backbone of our community. 
Young people across America face ever-changing social and economic 
challenges. We have an obligation to prepare them for the challenges 
that lie ahead, and I applaud the great work of the teachers, 
principals and other education personnel in Montgomery County who offer 
so much support to our families.

                          ____________________