All but two local school districts experienced a drop in their 2008 SAT scores compared to the year before and none met the state average, according to figures released by the S.C. Department of Education on Tuesday.

The average score in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four increased by 26 points and Bamberg School District 2 saw a 120-point jump.

“Overall, I’m pleased with the growth of the district,” said OCSD 4 Superintendent Dr. Darrell Johnson, whose district had two of the three local schools that saw their scores increase.

Branchville High School’s SAT average increased to 1,374, a 154-point improvement from 2007, and Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School had a 125-point increase.

The scores include reading, math and the new writing section, which was added three years ago.

A perfect score is 2,400. The state average is 1,461.

“I was ecstatic to see the great increase in the test scores and look forward to increased test scores in the future,” said Branchville Principal David Hess.

Hess attributed the better numbers to good teachers and students, in addition to bringing in an SAT instructor.

“The kids said that was really useful,” Hess said.

Johnson said a higher graduation rate and a decline in drop-outs was a reason for OCSD 4’s increase. He expects the momentum to continue because the district is offering more dual credit college courses through its partnership with Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

At Denmark-Olar High in Bamberg 2, class schedules were revamped so that students received instruction in every subject every day.

Superintendent Dr. Secaida Howell said the district had to “trim fat” because there were too many teachers for such a small school. Vacancies left by teachers that resigned or retired were not filled, which Howell says led to more structure in the classroom.

Howell said those moves were responsible for his district’s rise in SAT scores.

“Of course, we think really good about that,” he said.

On the other side of the coin was Lake Marion High School in OCSD 3, which saw scores fall by 115 points.

Superintendent Dr. David Longshore said test scores rise and fall for a number of reasons. When scores drop, a district’s curriculum and quality of instruction are usually blamed.

“I submit it is as much of a function of the collective efforts put forth and time dedicated by students. And the extent they follow the recommended, prescribed curriculum,” Longshore said.

He says graduating classes’ efforts vary from year to year and SAT scores are a reflection of that.

“Periodically, that’s what you see,” he said of the lower scores.

OCSD 3 was not the only district receiving disappointing SAT scores.

“As a district, we are not are very happy with the results,” said OCSD 5 spokesman Greg Carson.

Last year in OCSD 5, SAT prep courses were only offered after school, which Carson cited as the reason for the district’s 71-point decline. The enrollment in those courses dropped because they competed with extracurricular activities and part-time jobs, he said.

This year, Carson said SAT prep courses are now offered during the school day.

Calhoun County High School saw a 59-point decline in scores, which Superintendent Ken Westbury chalks up to the law of averages because more students took the SAT than in the past.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060.

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