The T&D Region experienced more average gains in SAT scoring among its high schools than drains, but work must continue in light of state budget cuts to keep them at the top, educational officials say.

Statewide SAT scores climbed eight points to 989 in 2003, up from 981 in 2002, helping the state net the best improvement rate in the nation, according to the College Board, the New York-based non-profit organization that oversees the test used by many colleges as part of their admission requirements.

Locally, Denmark-Olar High School made its own dramatic improvement, scoring the largest average gains in SAT scores among schools in The T&D Region.

DOHS, which is the only high school included in Bamberg School District 2, saw its composite SAT score leap 66 points, from 786 in 2002 to 852 in 2003.

DOHS Principal Dr. Chris Lempesis said the district used a testing service last year. Consultants worked with the district's students on test-taking strategies and verbal and math skill development.

He said the same service will be implemented in the 2003-04 school year.

Bowman High School in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 saw the region's next largest gain with a 60-point hike in its average SAT score, from 776 in 2002 to 836 in 2003.

BHS Principal Brenda Jamison said a company specializing in SAT preparation was also used in her district to help improve test scores among seniors.

"They came in and did sessions three days a week with our students. We saw a considerable increase once they came in and worked with different strategies. We're proud of the increase. We have also implemented more rigorous course offerings, and I have to give the SAT coaches their credit for working with the students as well," Jamison said.

SAT coaches are teachers used in the instruction of preparatory SAT math and English courses which are offered in the majority of the region's high schools.

BHS is one of three high schools included in OCSD5, which saw a 47-point composite score increase, from 833 last year to 880 in 2003. North High and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High are the two other high schools. Both saw respective 49-point and 46-point increases in their composite SAT scoring.

Holly-Hill Roberts High, which is included along with Elloree High in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 3, had the third highest gain in its composite SAT score. The school had a 57-point hike in its score, from 778 last year to 835 in 2003. It contributed to the district's 51-point increase in its composite SAT score, but OCSD3 Superintendent Dr. David Longshore said work must continue.

"None of us have any magic bullet in increasing test scores. We're all doing basically the same thing. Our overall goal is to improve the overall quality of instructional programs in general throughout the system," Longshore said. "Our schools in the district work hard trying to improve student academics, and we're always hopeful our hard work and efforts will be reflected in increased test scores. That's not always the case, but that's our goal. We're continuing to work towards that."

SAT preparatory classes, small group and individual tutoring sessions and consultants who come in and work with students on test-taking strategies are among the tools used to prepare students for the SAT, Longshore said.

He said the key, however, is a strong commitment among students to take advantage of rigorous courses and other services which will make the difference in their test-taking abilities.

"If you can get students to dedicate the time and effort to self improvement, the gains will be there. If they take the rigorous courses, then we know we've got an advantage," said Longshore, who said more fluctuation in average test scores is seen among smaller school districts than larger ones. He said the fluctuations are not necessarily reflective of student ability, but rather "the numbers."

Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School is one of three high schools included in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4. H-K-T High made the largest average gain in SAT scoring in the district with a 46-point hike, from 823 last year to 869 in 2003.

The school was followed by Branchville High School which saw a 39-point increase in average scoring, from 909 in 2002 to 948 in 2003. Unlike previous years, Edisto High School, saw a 71-point decrease in its average SAT scores, from 940 last year to 869 in 2003. The drop contributed to the district's 42-point drop in composite scoring, from 922 in 2002 to 880 in 2003.

"You just don't know what to say. We hope to get those scores up again," said Merriell Smith, a SAT preparatory math instructor at Edisto High School.

Smith said enrollment in the SAT preparatory math and English courses was "very low" last year. The school also had no Palmetto Fellows this year compared to several in 2001.

"That makes a difference," Smith said. A recent workshop was held at the school to help students with SAT preparation.

Early preparation for the SAT has been key at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, the only high school included in Bamberg School District 1. The school saw its composite SAT score climb 52 points, from 903 last year to 955 in 2003.

BSD1 Superintendent Phyllis Schwarting said budget cuts have forced the district to eliminate its preparatory SAT math and English courses. The district is now working on an agreement with Denmark Technical College to be able to offer seniors those courses in the second semester.

"I certainly feel that that's helpful. I have to give the credit where it's due, and it's certainly with the teachers. They really are very strong on teaching the standards. I think the students are just better prepared in the classroom," she said. "Our goal next year is to break 1,000 in scoring. Sometimes that's easier said than done, but you still have to have a goal."

BEHS Principal Randy Maxwell said that while bigger class sizes are just one result of the past two years' budget cuts, the school's resolve in preparing students has not been dampened.

"Everyone is having to deal with them in their own way, but our teachers are just working long and hard with what we have to work with. We're pleased with the scores. We have a very professional staff. Teachers get all the credit," Maxwell said.

A "Triumphant Learning" software program, the use of SAT preparation sites on media center computers and a strong guidance department have all contributed to the school's success, he said.

"A lot of emphasis is put in preparing for the SAT, and our honors and college prep classes also have a lot to do with preparation because they're very demanding," Maxwell said.

Calhoun County High School, the only high school included in the Calhoun County School District, saw its composite score plummet 90 points, from 888 in 2002 to 798 in 2003.

"We're all in shock over that. This district has not suffered from being at the bottom, and we don't plan for that to become a trend. The SAT is not the only entrance requirement needed in college admissions, and it's not the requirement for every child. This is not representative of the kids I've met in this district since I've been here," Superintendent Dr. Shirley Martin said.

Martin and Calhoun County High Principal Sheridan Hamilton have been in the district only since July.

She said fostering increased guidance support services and monitoring the creation of more rigorous curriculum standards, which she hopes more students will take advantage of, are among the initiatives that will be taken to improve scoring.

"Every program has not been successful," she said, adding that there will be a move away from the traditionally-used SAT preparatory math and English courses. SAT preparation initiatives from which empirical data can be gathered will be sought instead, she said.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534.

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