Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Spring Branch ISD students outperformed the Texas average score on the 2018 SAT, increasing their performance by 11 points while also making an impressive gain on the average national score.

The College Board reported recently that the Spring Branch ISD Class of 2018 earned an average total score of 1048, an increase from last year’s 1037. The SAT measures critical reading and mathematical abilities and often is viewed as a tool to assess college preparedness and readiness.

SBISD’s 2018 score exceeded the Texas average of 1032 by 16 points, while also gaining ground on the national average of 1068.

It’s important to note that SBISD differs from many public school districts across the United States in that Spring Branch provides the full-day SAT annually to every high school junior. 

In many districts, the SAT is taken largely by those students who are now focusing on college or university enrollment after high school. Unlike SBISD, not every student in the nation takes this assessment.

“There is great cause here for celebration. I am very proud of the work of our kids and our teachers, and the work we all are doing as a school system. The SAT does not happen by accident. It takes years and years of learning and teaching for these results,” SBISD’s Superintendent of Schools Scott Muri, Ed.D., said.

Earlier this fall, SBISD students also posted scores higher than both Texas and national averages on the ACT, another popular assessment of college readiness and preparation.

On that exam, district students improved scores in four tested areas, and a composite, or average, score reflected a 10-year increase over both Texas and national ACT scores.

The Houston Chronicle newspaper described ACT scores in SBISD and in one neighboring school district with this headline: 2 Houston area school districts buck state and national trend for low ACT scores.

Here is what the newspaper said: “Two Houston area school districts are not in the status quo when it comes to state and national averages of ACT scores for the class of 2017.

“While Texas scored dead last on the ACT, Spring Branch ISD and Katy ISD beat the state and national averages by a long shot.

“The average composite score for students in Texas was 20.6, compared to the national average of 20.8 . . . Spring Branch earned a composite score of 24.4.”

Superintendent Muri noted at a recent Board of Trustees presentation that SBISD bucked the trend this year for declining state and national ACT test scores. SBISD makes this test available to its high school students, too. 

“In the state of Texas, ACT scores declined and in the United States, ACT scores declined. Here in Spring Branch ISD, our scores actually improved in every single area,” he also said.

The superintendent also credited Trustees for supporting the full-day SAT program for all juniors and ACT participation. Recent results on both exam options support the district’s goal of post-secondary completion for all who graduate from SBISD.

Spring Branch’s T-2-4 goal calls for every child to be prepared for and to have access to a technical certification, military training, or a 2- or 4-year college degree.