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Superintendent Lawson says Delaware SAT policy skews comparisons as Brandy Wine scores rise
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Lawson told the Board that Brandy Wine's average SAT rose from 924 to 933 but cautioned that Delaware's practice of testing all juniors for accountability depresses averages compared with states that test fewer students; a state resolution to re-evaluate SAT use was cited.
Superintendent Dr. Lawson reported to the Brandy Wine School District board on May 18 that the district’s average SAT score rose by nine points year over year, from 924 to 933, with reading and writing up five points and math up four points.
Lawson emphasized context: Delaware requires all 11th graders to take the SAT as the state’s federal accountability measure, which increases participation and — he argued — depresses average scores relative to states that test only a subset of students. “This is sampling bias, not comparing apples to apples,” Lawson said, explaining that states reporting higher average SAT scores often have much lower participation rates and therefore show higher averages.
The superintendent said the district’s rise reflects broad gains rather than a skew from a few high-scoring students: analysis of score distributions showed fewer students in lower ranges and greater concentration in higher ranges. He framed the gains as part of an ongoing effort to return to and surpass pre‑pandemic achievement levels.
Board members also noted recent state activity. A board member read language from Senate Joint Resolution 15 directing the Delaware Department of Education to re-evaluate the SAT’s role in state accountability and to develop a more coherent high school assessment system. Dr. Lawson acknowledged the resolution and the state’s work to modernize the assessment framework.
Why it matters: The district’s reporting practice and the state’s choice of accountability test affect how local results compare with national figures and inform public conversations about assessment policy, school improvement targets and communications with families.
What’s next: Board members discussed the state resolution and its implications; no formal vote on district assessment policy occurred at the meeting. The district will continue to report and communicate local SAT results and monitor state-level developments that could change accountability requirements.
