By DAVE HAMRICK
Staff Writer

Fayette County students' SAT scores dropped 6 points between 1997 and 1998, but school system officials hasten to point out that the number of students taking the tests increased by 6 percent.

"We encourage all of our students to take it," said Larry Reeves, director of pupil personnel services for Fayette schools. "This means that we have a wider range of students, as far as academic ability, taking the test. Some school systems only have 5 or 6 percent of their students take it, in other words their very top students."

With 90.1 percent of students taking the Scholastic Assessment Test in Fayette, the county's students scored an average of 1031 compared to last year's average of 1037. It's the first drop since 1994, when local students scored 1021.

The figure compares with a state average of 968 and a national average of 1017.

Fayette students' scores continue to rank above the state and national averages despite the higher number taking the tests, 90.1 percent, said Reeves, but that doesn't mean local educators aren't concerned about the drop in scores.

"It's not a glowing picture," said Reeves. "Anytime you see a drop you start asking what can we do to make them better," he added. "Our parents and school supporters want us to do the best we can and there's nothing wrong with that."

Fayette teachers will be working to help students be better prepared for the tests, making sure they take the right courses and encouraging them to take the preliminary SAT early so they can make adjustments before taking the SAT, said Reeves.

Statewide, there is a strong emphasis on improving test scores, including provision of state money to pay students' fees for the PSAT if they take it in the 10th grade, Reeves added.

"That way they can see that if they have not pursued a rigorous academic focus, they need to take other courses in order to be prepared," not only for the SAT but also for college or other post-secondary school work, he said.

Georgia's students have increased their SAT scores by 20 points since 1994, from 948 to 968. In the same period, national scores have increased four points, from 1003 to 1017.

Fayette's scores, including this year's drop, have improved 10 points since 1994.

In judging students statewide, it's important to consider the number of students taking the test as well, said Reeves. Sixty-four percent took the tests in Georgia, compared with as few as 4 percent in Utah. The state with the highest percentage taking the tests was Connecticut, with 80 percent, scoring 1019.

For more information on SAT scores, see the College Board press release on the Internet at www.collegeboard.org.

Fayette SAT scores

1997 1998

Fayette High 996 1007

McIntosh 1075 1068

Sandy Creek 1040 1010

System avg. 1037 1031