Eastbayri.com

BARRINGTON — Barrington students followed a statewide trend in the SAT testing this year, as participation in the annual aptitude test increased while scores fell.

Barrington students’ scores fell 16 points in reading, 13 points in math and 16 points in writing. The only number to show an increase for the recent round of Scholastic Aptitude Tests was the number of students who participated — last year 235 Barrington students took the test; this year that figure rose to 258.

According to information provided by the Rhode Island Department of Education, reading, math and writing scores were lower across all New England states (with the exception of Maine), and throughout the rest of the country.

“Rhode Island scores remain the lowest in New England, except for Maine, which tests all high school seniors,” stated a press release from RIDE.

In Barrington, the recent round of local students’ SAT scores were the lowest from the last four years of testing. In critical reading, students tallied an average score this year of 554, in math the average score was 576 and in writing Barrington students finished with an average score of 547.

The local students finished well above the state averages of 482 in reading and in math and a 474 in writing. East Greenwich High School was the only public school to score better on the recent round of the SATs. East Greenwich students scored, on average, a 565 in reading, 581 in math, and a 577 in writing.

Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah Gist appeared to be pleased with the participation rates.

“Participation rates are a critical measure we track because we want to ensure that more students — particularly our Black and Hispanic students who have been underrepresented — are taking the SATs,” she said. “The increases in participation are encouraging. We will continue to work relentlessly on the implementation of our plan, Transforming Education in Rhode Island, to raise student academic achievement across the state.”

Following is a breakdown of Barrington students’ SAT scores over the last four years:

Reading Math Writing

2008 556 591 559

2009 569 594 569

2010 570 589 563

2011 554 576 547