August 28, 2007
SAT Scores Drop For Second Year In A Row
The College Board released a report on the infamous SAT college entrance exam today and found that the Class of 2007 posted the lowest test scores in several years. The report focuses on the growing number of students taking the exam and, particularly, on the record numbers of minority test-takers. It trumpets a modest increase in reading scores for Asian- and Hispanic-Americans. However, national critical reading and math scores dropped by one and three points, respectively, and the relatively new writing section, introduced in 2006, also posted a drop of three points.
This is the second year in a row that the board has reported a drop in SAT scores. The New York Times reports that "in 2006, the first class to take a new three part test including a writing section, average SAT scores showed the largest decline in 31 years: 5 points in critical reading and 2 in math." Educators and guidance counselors blamed a longer test and student fatigue for last year's drop in scores, while the College Board attributed it to a drop in the number of students who took the test more than once.
This year 79 percent of college seniors took the SAT, up three points from last year. Officials say that the drop in scores can be attributed to a larger and more diverse group of test-takers, many of whom are from poor backgrounds and who do not have as much preparation for the test. This year also saw record numbers of non-native English speakers participating.
While declining test scores may be disheartening to some Americans, the fact that more and more students are choosing to pursue a college education may provide a ray of hope. The Times notes that "35 percent of the class taking the SAT would be the first in their family to attend college, mirroring the broad diversification of the college student population that university officials have been noting and encouraging in recent years." Yet, the report reveals that there is still an ethnic divide in SAT scores and that white students continue to significantly outperform minority students.
The Washington Post has more on the report. The College Board Web site has score reports for each state, as well as tables and statistics on a number of different topics.
