SAT Scores

In 1994, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores for the Los Angeles Unified School District declined for the fifth consecutive year. Here are the scores, compared with state and national averages.

L.A. UNIFIED AVERAGES

Year Verbal Math 1993 356 432 1994 353 424

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CALIFORNIA AVERAGES

Year Verbal Math 1993 415 484 1994 413 482

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NATIONAL AVERAGES

Year Verbal Math 1993 424 478 1994 423 479

Test survey responses showed that Los Angeles senior are not studying as much as students in California and the nation. Course work in arts, music, English foreign languages, math and science is 1.2 years behind that of their peers in California and two years behind students nationwide.

Forty-one percent of Los Angeles students do not speak English as their first language, compared to 20% statewide and 8% nationally. School officials says this contributes to lower verbal SAT scores.

Compared to other students taking the test in the state and nation, Los Angeles students are poorer and their parents have less education.

An increasing number of Los Angeles high school seniors are taking the test, rising from 33% in 1990 to 36% in 1994.

Sources: Los Angeles Unified School District, College Board