SAT scores improve slightly among public school students but fewer boys are taking the test

Article here. Excerpt:

'Oregon students' SAT scores remained steady this year in reading and writing, according to data released by The College Board on Monday.

Math scores dropped slightly overall, but among public school students – who make up 88 percent of Oregon test takers – the news was a little brighter. Public school students in the class of 2010 scored two points higher in reading and writing than in 2009.

At the same time, the scores for Oregon public students revealed a decline in the number of boys taking the college entrance exam. Overall, more Oregon students took the SAT than ever before. But, a nearly three percent jump in test-taking by girls overshadowed a one percent drop among boys.

Susanne Smith, spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Education, said the decline is alarming when coupled with the other indicators that show boys are struggling academically.

Oregon girls are performing as well as boys on state math tests, but boys are trailing girls in reading performance. Male students in Oregon have higher dropout rates and lower graduation rates than their female peers.

"The gender gap on assessments is an area of concern for educators," Smith said, "and our schools are focusing on instructional and curriculum strategies that resonate with male learning styles."

The state does have a narrower gender gap on state tests than the national average.'