By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-986260.mp3
Dallas, TX – The Texas Education Agency reports a significant boost in high school students taking the SAT college entrance exams.
The TEA says from 2007 to now, Hispanics taking the SAT rose 57 percent, and African Americans jumped 44 percent.
But while some math scores have risen over time, the TEA says most SAT scores - among all student groups - have actually fallen. The TEA's DeEtta Culbertson says that's the reason for some new initiatives.
Culbertson: We've got a new assessment program, we're revamping the curriculum to include college readiness standards. We're making the opportunity for more students to be college and career ready. Once we start seeing students gain benefits of those initiatives, you'll probably see the scores go up
Education Commissioner Robert Scott says Texans are developing a statewide college-going culture. Texas now ranks 18th in the percent of high school students taking the SAT's.