More minority students taking SAT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - More Hispanic and African American Texas public school students are taking the SAT, a report released Monday by the College Board shows.

There has been a 65 percent increase in the number of Hispanics taking the test and a 42 percent increase in African-American students taking the test. The SAT is a test that allows students to prepare to enroll in college.

The number of all students taking the SAT overall has jumped by 5.7 percent since last year, the report says.

“The longevity of our state’s economic success will be built on an educated workforce that can compete in the global marketplace,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “I’m proud to see that the number of Texas students aiming for a brighter future is skyrocketing, and I remain committed to improving quality, efficiency and access to higher education.”

Last year, Perry asked institutions of higher education to create a bachelors degree program that would cost no more than $10,000. Texas A&M University- San Antonio, the University of North Texas-Dallas, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and Texas A&M University in Commerce have since then created a program to fit that criteria.