Decline In SAT Scores

Decline in SAT Scores The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) was first introduced to American schools in 1901. Since then the SAT has become a requirement for college acceptance. Therefore the number of students taking the test has increased. Did you know that roughly 6 in 10 college-bound high school students who took the test were lacking so much in their reading, writing, and math skills, they were unprepared for college-level work? (College) Some see the decline in SAT scores as an issue that lacks importance. Others, such as myself see the decline in SAT scores as a fairly significant issue. If students do not have the proper preparation they will not be as successful in college and their career alike. To begin with, according to a recent …show more content…
That is a problem and the College Board is calling for big changes to better prepare students for college and careers. As far as the SAT scores go, David Coleman has stated “We at the College Board are concerned.” David Coleman is the College Board President. From 2012-2013 to 2014 the number of SAT takers has declined. In 2014 only 15 percent of African Americans and only 23 percent of Latinos met or even exceeded the SAT benchmark for college as well as career readiness. “That’s a serious problem.” a statement made by Jim Hull. Jim Hull is the Senior Policy Analyst with National Schools Boards Association. The biggest concern is the widening gap in the SAT scores along racial and ethnic lines. Asians have the highest overall average, followed by Whites, then Latinos. African Americans have the lowest overall scores in reading, writing, and math. (College) Coleman wants to take action rather than just sitting back and reporting how poorly prepared students are for college and career. Coleman also would like to toughen the coursework within schools and ensure students have access to more demanding honors as well as AP (Advanced Placement) courses. Being that currently most students do not have access to such courses many of them are not properly prepared for college and career. Coleman states that “minority students, underrepresented students, have less access.” "Look, the strongest correlation between SAT scores and virtually anything is family income: The higher your family income, the higher your scores. It's one of the major reasons so many campuses are populated by upper-income kids and not the needy kids who need the opportunity," Schaeffer says. Income was thought to be the problem but more and more low-income students take the SAT, and scores still remain nearly the same. (College) That is why the only way for the