A.C. Flora SAT gain nets financial rewards

A.C. Flora is one of 12 high schools in South Carolina with the largest gains in average SAT scores from 2002 to 2003 that are receiving cash award for their accomplishments.

"Our schools have worked hard to improve SAT scores," said State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum. "These schools can use the monetary rewards to further their efforts to raise student achievement."

A.C. Flora had an 83-point increase and received $10,000. Flora’s 2003 SAT score surpassed the state average by 75 points and the national average by 38 points.

"The A. C. Flora community is very appreciative of the incentive award for the SAT point gains, and we commend the students, parents and teachers involved in achieving this gain, "said Principal Marty Martin. "The funds will be dedicated to the continuing efforts made to improve scores, such as good classroom instruction, use of data from PSAT scores of students in 8th through 10th grades to focus instruction and conducting SAT/ACT prep classes and workshops. It is difficult for us to stress enough the importance of parent-involvement in these efforts."

Funding for the program is provided by the General Assembly. This is the fourth year the state has offered cash awards for schools with the largest SAT gains. South Carolina high school seniors improved the state’s average by eight points from 2002 to 2003, and the state’s 38-point gain over the past five years was the nation’s best.