Indiana SAT results show students vexed by math, but increase reading and writing scores
The 2024-25 scores on the SAT taken by 81,620 juniors showed a 2.7% improvement on the evidence-based reading and writing portion, but just a slight math score improvement from last year.
The Indiana State Board of Education reviewed the scores last week after their release.
A state law requires students to take a national college entrance exam and receive a passing score no lower than the national cut score.
This year's 'at college-ready' benchmark score for reading and writing is 480, while the math score is 530. The College Board administers the SAT.
In reading and writing, 54.5% of students scored at or above the college-ready benchmark but in math, just 25.4% received passing scores, compared to 25.2% last year.
The pass rate for both reading/writing and math was 24.5%.
State assessment guidelines will change next year, as the state board develops a new grading system in line with the state's new diploma standards, effective for the Class of 2029, who begin ninth grade year this fall.
Students can choose from a diploma that offers three readiness seals — college-bound, workforce employment, and military enlistment.
Under the new model, juniors will still be required to take the SAT, but the scores will only be used toward graduation if a student chooses that option.
Board member B.J. Watts said last week he wasn't too concerned about the low math scores because it's likely many of the juniors who took the exam weren't planning on going to college.
'If we only pulled out students who are college-bound, scores change drastically.
'Students may not see their place in that test,' he said.
Lake Central High School, one of the largest traditional public schools in Northwest Indiana, with nearly 3,000 students, had the most students passing both portions of the SAT at 51.1%. Its students also had the top math pass rate at 52.8%.
Among charter schools, the Hammond Academy for Science and Technology (HAST) had the highest pass rate for both subjects at 21.3%.
Among private schools, Illiana Christian had the top pass rate for both subjects at 57.6%, including 59.25% of juniors passing the math portionEBRW Math Both
State 54.5% 25.4% 24.4%
Lake County
Calumet New Tech 23.6% 4.9% 2.1%
Crown Point 72% 39.9% 38.7%
East Chicago 31% 5% 4.2%
Gary West Side 20.5% 9.1% 3.8%
Griffith 54.8% 11.5% 11.5%
Hammond Central 23.8% 2.6% 2.6%
Hammond Morton 22.5% 1.7% 1.7%
Hanover Central 69.4% 31.6% 30.1%
Highland 59.4% 21.2% 20.3%
Hobart 53.8% 19% 17.7%
Lake Central 73.9% 52.8% 51.1%
Lake Station 31.3% 2.5% 1.3%
Lowell 56.3% 21.6% 21.2%
Merrillville 37.4% 13.1% 12%
Munster 83.1% 46.6% 46.4%
Whiting 37.5% 18.2% 14.8%
Porter County
Boone Grove 71% 35.5% 34.4%
Chesterton 69.1% 39.5% 38.9%
Hebron 53.3% 16.1% 14.9%
Kouts 56.4% 27.3% 25.5%
Morgan 71% 38.7% 38.7%
NWI Online School (Duneland) 33.3% 4.8% 4.8%
Portage 43.4% 16% 14.2%
Valparaiso 70.9% 38.9% 38.1%
Washington Twp. 81.5% 29.2% 27.7%
Wheeler 60.7% 39.3% 35.7%
Charter schools
21st Century Charter 25.7% 2.7% 2.7%
Gary Lighthouse 10.2% 3.7% 1.9%
Gary Middle College 5.3% 0% 0%
HAST (Hammond) 56.3% 21.3% 21.3%
Neighbors New Vistas 20.8% 4.2% 4.2%
Steel City Academy 54.2% 0% 0%
Thea Bowman 26.5% 0% 0%
Private schools
Andrean 81.7% 40.9% 39.1%
Bishop Noll 69.7% 22.9% 22.3%
Calumet Christian 87.5% 18.8% 18.8%
Hammond Baptist 74.2% 29% 29%
Illiana Christian 84.8% 59.2% 57.6%
Marquette 77.8% 47.6% 44.4%
Portage Christian 63.6% 27.3% 22.7%
Victory Christian 79.2% 29.2% 29.2%
*Indiana Department of Education
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Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Indiana SAT results show students vexed by math, but increase reading and writing scores
Indiana juniors who took the state-required SAT exam improved their reading and writing scores, while posting a slight improvement in math. The 2024-25 scores on the SAT taken by 81,620 juniors showed a 2.7% improvement on the evidence-based reading and writing portion, but just a slight math score improvement from last year. The Indiana State Board of Education reviewed the scores last week after their release. A state law requires students to take a national college entrance exam and receive a passing score no lower than the national cut score. This year's 'at college-ready' benchmark score for reading and writing is 480, while the math score is 530. The College Board administers the SAT. In reading and writing, 54.5% of students scored at or above the college-ready benchmark but in math, just 25.4% received passing scores, compared to 25.2% last year. The pass rate for both reading/writing and math was 24.5%. State assessment guidelines will change next year, as the state board develops a new grading system in line with the state's new diploma standards, effective for the Class of 2029, who begin ninth grade year this fall. Students can choose from a diploma that offers three readiness seals — college-bound, workforce employment, and military enlistment. Under the new model, juniors will still be required to take the SAT, but the scores will only be used toward graduation if a student chooses that option. Board member B.J. Watts said last week he wasn't too concerned about the low math scores because it's likely many of the juniors who took the exam weren't planning on going to college. 'If we only pulled out students who are college-bound, scores change drastically. 'Students may not see their place in that test,' he said. Lake Central High School, one of the largest traditional public schools in Northwest Indiana, with nearly 3,000 students, had the most students passing both portions of the SAT at 51.1%. Its students also had the top math pass rate at 52.8%. Among charter schools, the Hammond Academy for Science and Technology (HAST) had the highest pass rate for both subjects at 21.3%. Among private schools, Illiana Christian had the top pass rate for both subjects at 57.6%, including 59.25% of juniors passing the math portionEBRW Math Both State 54.5% 25.4% 24.4% Lake County Calumet New Tech 23.6% 4.9% 2.1% Crown Point 72% 39.9% 38.7% East Chicago 31% 5% 4.2% Gary West Side 20.5% 9.1% 3.8% Griffith 54.8% 11.5% 11.5% Hammond Central 23.8% 2.6% 2.6% Hammond Morton 22.5% 1.7% 1.7% Hanover Central 69.4% 31.6% 30.1% Highland 59.4% 21.2% 20.3% Hobart 53.8% 19% 17.7% Lake Central 73.9% 52.8% 51.1% Lake Station 31.3% 2.5% 1.3% Lowell 56.3% 21.6% 21.2% Merrillville 37.4% 13.1% 12% Munster 83.1% 46.6% 46.4% Whiting 37.5% 18.2% 14.8% Porter County Boone Grove 71% 35.5% 34.4% Chesterton 69.1% 39.5% 38.9% Hebron 53.3% 16.1% 14.9% Kouts 56.4% 27.3% 25.5% Morgan 71% 38.7% 38.7% NWI Online School (Duneland) 33.3% 4.8% 4.8% Portage 43.4% 16% 14.2% Valparaiso 70.9% 38.9% 38.1% Washington Twp. 81.5% 29.2% 27.7% Wheeler 60.7% 39.3% 35.7% Charter schools 21st Century Charter 25.7% 2.7% 2.7% Gary Lighthouse 10.2% 3.7% 1.9% Gary Middle College 5.3% 0% 0% HAST (Hammond) 56.3% 21.3% 21.3% Neighbors New Vistas 20.8% 4.2% 4.2% Steel City Academy 54.2% 0% 0% Thea Bowman 26.5% 0% 0% Private schools Andrean 81.7% 40.9% 39.1% Bishop Noll 69.7% 22.9% 22.3% Calumet Christian 87.5% 18.8% 18.8% Hammond Baptist 74.2% 29% 29% Illiana Christian 84.8% 59.2% 57.6% Marquette 77.8% 47.6% 44.4% Portage Christian 63.6% 27.3% 22.7% Victory Christian 79.2% 29.2% 29.2% *Indiana Department of Education
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Indiana SAT scores tick up slightly but still trail college-ready goals
New data shows about a quarter of Indiana students who took the SAT in 2025 met college-readiness benchmarks on both the reading and writing and math portions of the exam. (Getty Images) New SAT results showed more Hoosier students meeting college-readiness benchmarks in reading, but overall scores remain low — especially in math. More than 81,000 Indiana high school students took the test in 2024-25. Most of those were juniors — students slated to graduate in spring 2026. Results showed slight improvement on the SAT this year in both the evidence-based reading and writing and math sections. In reading and writing, the share of students scoring at or above the college-ready threshold rose to 54.5%, up from 51.8% the year before and 50.5% in 2023. A greater number of students continued to score in the 'below college-ready' category for math, however. Just 25.2% of test-takers earned passing scores in 2025. About 24.5% of Indiana students who took the SAT during the last academic year met the readiness benchmark on both subject portions, according to the Indiana Department of Education. That's a 0.3% increase compared to last year, but still 4% down from 2023. 'We still have a large number of students in that below-college-ready group,' said Lynn Schemel, IDOE's chief academic officer. 'We want to move that … in the (right) direction … but we have more work to do.' The new test results were released last week and discussed by the State Board of Education. Data from the latest round of ILEARN testing was also published. State law requires IDOE to administer a national college entrance exam to high school students before graduation. The SAT includes math, reading and writing sections. The assessment, administered by the College Board, scores students as 'At College-Ready,' 'Approaching College-Ready,' or 'Below College-Ready,' depending on their performance. A student who scores 'Approaching' with one more year remaining in high school is expected to be at 'At College-Ready' by graduation. Students who score at or above the benchmark have a 75% chance of earning at least a C in their first semester of credit-bearing college courses in that subject area, IDOE officials said. As a board, we've talked a lot about what skills students need in high school. Does the SAT fit that? I think that's a conversation we'll continue to have. – Indiana Education Secretary Katie Jenner Of the 81,620 students who took the reading and writing assessment in 2025, more than half met the college-ready benchmark. About 36.4% of students were approaching a passing score, while 9.2% remained below. In math, 21.6% of students were 'approaching' college-readiness, and 53% were below the readiness benchmark. That's a decline from 2024, when roughly 52.8% of test-takers were below college-ready levels, and from 45.2% who trailed the benchmark in 2023. About 25% of students posted college-ready math scores in 2024. IDOE data indicates 30.7% of students who took the SAT were college-ready in math in 2023. '(The latest data) underscores the urgency of the work we're doing,' Schemel said, referencing new instructional resources and educational screeners designed to improve foundational math skills. The state, she noted, is currently building math support systems for students in grades K–2 and 9–12 to mirror recent literacy investments made for elementary and middle school grades. Board members acknowledged the need for additional math support, but some questioned whether the SAT is the right tool to evaluate all progress among all Indiana students, especially those not planning to attend college. 'This is a college-ready exam, and we administer it to students who aren't going to college,' said board member B.J. Watts. 'Let's be honest — it's not important to them. That doesn't mean they don't have other skills where they shine. But that's not going to show up here, at least not yet.' Indiana ILEARN scores show continued growth in math — but reading levels stay flat Indiana Education Secretary Katie Jenner echoed the need for continued discussion. 'As a board, we've talked a lot about what skills students need in high school,' Jenner said. 'Does the SAT fit that? I think that's a conversation we'll continue to have.' Education officials further pointed to a wave of reforms aimed at supporting students earlier in their education, like numeracy screeners, teacher training in evidence-based instruction methods, and math intervention plans. All of those efforts are still ramping up, Schemel said. 'We're trying to wrap our arms around the standards at the high school level now, too,' Hurst said. 'That includes what students are getting in their courses before they even get to this SAT moment.' Jenner added that SAT scores are likely to evolve more as Indiana rolls out new pathways to graduation. Under the state's new high school diploma model — which is set to take effect for all schools by 2029 — all juniors will still be required by law to take the SAT, but scores are only used toward graduation if a student chooses that option under one of the college-bound or employment-readiness tracks, or 'seals.' 'We're maximizing the four years of high school,' she said. 'Whether students pursue enrollment, enlistment or employment, our work has to prepare them for all three.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
16-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
ILEARN scores rising in math for Indiana students, flat in English/language arts
Six Lake County and five Porter County school districts topped the state's ILEARN combined math and English/language arts 31.2% pass rate in results announced Wednesday. Schools administered the Indiana Learning Evaluation and Assessment Readiness Network (ILEARN) in the spring. and statewide scores showed improvement in math, while English/language arts remained flat, officials said. 'While we continue to see students growing in math proficiency, this year's results remind us all of the need to continue our focus in both early and adolescent literacy,' said Gov. Mike Braun in a state release from the Department of Education. Statewide, 40.6% of Indiana's students are at or above proficiency standards in ELA, and 42.1% of students are at or above proficiency standards in math. It's up 0.1 and 5.2 percentage points, respectively, since 2021, ILEARN's baseline year with lowered scores blamed on the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2021, math pass rates have increased for all student populations. Still battling an achievement gap, Wednesday's report showed Black students had year-over-year increases in both ELA and math (0.9 and 2 percentage points, respectively) and had the highest percentage point increase of all students in ELA. Also, Black and Hispanic students had the highest year-over-year percentage point increases of all students in math (2 percentage points). Indiana students will take a redesigned ILEARN exam next year spaced over different periods in the school year. It was piloted in more than 1,000 schools last year. The redesigned exam will feature three 'checkpoints' and a shortened summative assessment at the end of the school year. Officials said the checkpoints will provide improved real-time student data to better support learning throughout the year, rather than waiting until the end of the year for results. 'While we are positively moving and improving in math, there is an urgent need to support middle school students in English/language arts,' said Secretary of Education Katie Jenner. Locally, students in the Duneland School Corp. in Chesterton fared the best with a combined pass rate of 53.6%, more than 20 points above the state pass rate. 'Our students, teachers and families continue to work together in the spirit of student achievement,' said Superintendent Chip Pettit. 'I'm excited to see their hard work paying off. We're also equally proud of the growth students are showing on a year-to-year basis.' Students in the School Town of Munster were close behind with a 53.3% pass rate. Nine Lake County districts improved their combined scores from last year, while three Porter County districts improved scores. Porter-based Discovery Charter School's 36.6% pass rate was the lone charter to eclipse the state pass rate. Four of the 10 local charters posted improved scores over last year. The private Diocese of Gary, with 20 schools, bested the state pass rate with a 40% mark. The state also released the 2025 SAT results, which represent the required high school assessment for federal accountability. Students take the SAT in 11th grade. The state passing score is the same as the national pass rate, per state law. Students who met the evidence-based reading and writing portion of the SAT improved 2.7% with 54.5% meeting the cut score of 480. In math, just 25.4% met the national cut score of 530. ILEARN results for Grades 3-8* English/math pass 2023-24 2024-25 Indiana 30.8% 31.2% Lake County Hanover Central 39% 40.5% River Forest Community 11.4% 9.7% Merrillville Community 18.2% 19.6% Lake Central 39.8% 41.8% Tri-Creek 42.1% 39.8% Lake Ridge New Tech 4.2% 4.9% Crown Point Community 41.1% 46.8% School City of East Chicago 6.7% 7.7% Lake Station Community 9.5% 8.4% Gary Community 3% 3.5% Griffith Public Schools 24.9% 24% School City of Hammond 7.7% 7.5% School Town of Highland 33.6% 33.9% School City of Hobart 30.1% 29.8% School Town of Munster 55.9% 53.3% School City of Whiting 23.3% 24.4% Porter County MSD Boone Township 36.1% 30.5% Duneland School Corp. 54.5% 53.6% East Porter County 39.9% 39.6% Porter Township 36% 39.8% Union Township 55.2% 51.9% Portage Township 20.4% 21.6% Valparaiso Community 51.3% 52.7% Charter schools Charter School of the Dunes 2.9% 4.8% Thea Bowman 6.9% 5.7% Gary Lighthouse 5.9% 6% 21st Century 9.2% 10.8% East Chicago Urban 19.2% 19% Aspire 16.2% 15.5% HAST 13.8% 15.6% Discovery Charter 37.1% 36.6% Steel City 6.7% 4.5% HIAT (Higher Institute) 15.8% 4.4% Diocese of Gary 38.2% 40%
