Texas SAT scores are the lowest they’ve been in 20 years, falling behind the rest of the nation by a considerable margin, according to data from College Board. However, local districts are striving to stay ahead of the state and national curve.

College Board released state and national SAT averages on Oct. 2, according to an article in the Austin American-Statesman. Texas students averaged their second-worst score on the reading portion of the test since the 1970s, their poorest math score since 1992 and the lowest writing score since a writing portion was added to the exam in 2006, according to the data. Texas scored behind the nation on the SAT in reading by 21 points, in math by 18 points and in writing by 16 points. The Texas Education Agency noted that participation in the SAT increased statewide, up 4 percent from the previous year.

The Eanes school district ranked higher than state and national averages, scoring higher than the state in reading by 120 points, in math by 131 points and writing by 117 points. Compared to the national average, Eanes scored higher in reading by 99 points, math by 113 points and writing by 97 points. Westlake High School Director of Guidance Jeff Pilchiek pointed out the students reached an all-time high with their scores this year.

“We want each student to be prepared academically, socially and emotionally for their post-secondary path, wherever it may take them,” Westlake High School Principal John Carter said in an email. “Nationally standardized exams like the SAT and ACT are one measure of our progress in providing that preparation, but we also look at other indicators such as state-level and course-level exams, student survey data, and graduate survey data.”

The neighboring Lake Travis school district also consistently scores above state and national averages. This year, the district scored 81 points higher than the Texas average for reading, 84 points higher than the state for math and 73 points higher than the state for writing. Lake Travis students also scored 60 points higher than the national average for reading, 66 points higher than the national average for math and 47 points higher than the national average for writing.

Lake Travis High School Principal Kim Brents said the goal for her students is always to adequately prepare them for college.

“Starting at the middle school level, we’re trying to offer the students more opportunities to excel,” she said. “We do offer some high school courses at the middle school level … we also try every year to increase the number of AP classes we offer to students … when students transfer to Lake Travis, whether from in the state or out, we hear over and over that the level of expectation in what is required of them is at a much higher level than anywhere else.”

Brents said the Lake Travis High School counselors regularly correspond with in-state and out-of-state colleges to keep abreast of what colleges are looking for when admitting students.

“We want to make sure our kids are prepared, and certainly test scores are important,” Brents said, “but they also want to see our kids involved in things, and kids that are leaders … and we’re hearing from colleges that our students are well-rounded students, and all of our kids are walking out ready for college.”