College Board reports lower SAT scores, most test-takers missing college-ready benchmark. What is the cause and how do we change directions

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 04:07:43 -0400

Is Standardized Testing Part of the problem?

Student performance on the SAT college entrance exam is lagging, continuing a mostly downward trend over the last five years.

The College Board says in a report that a record number of students took the exam.

The nonprofit organization, which administers the exam, said in a report released Thursday that the mean score in reading was 495, down from 497 the previous year. For math, it was 511, down from 513. Writing scores dropped three points, to 484 from 487. The top score in each category is 800.

The latest scores continue a decline since 2010, when the means were 500 in reading, 515 in math, and 491 in writing.

A record 1.7 million students from the Class of 2015 took the exam, up from 1.67 million in the 2014 class.

The College Board says about 42 percent of test-takers, more than 712,000 students, met a benchmark that indicates they're likely ready for college-level work or career-training programs. The benchmark is a combined score of 1550 or higher for math, reading and writing. The percentage meeting that benchmark has largely remained the same in the last few years.

About 16 percent of African-Americans met that benchmark; 61 percent of Asian test-takers hit it, followed by about 53 percent of white test-takers, 33 percent of Native Americans and 23 percent of Hispanics.

"We know we can, and need, to do better," says Cyndie Schmeiser, chief of assessment for the Board. "Simply doing the same things we have been doing is not going to improve these numbers."

The SAT exam is undergoing a major revamp that will roll out next year. The idea behind the update is to make the exam more representative of what students study in high school and the skills they need to succeed in college and afterward. The redesign will focus more on areas of math that matter most for college and career readiness, shift away from obscure vocabulary words, and eliminate the guessing penalty.

The College Board is also teaming up with online educator Khan Academy to offer free SAT practice to all students through diagnostic quizzes and interactive practice tests. They will be accessible to anyone with Internet access.

The report said there's also been an increase in the number of students taking the Advanced Placement, or AP, exams and PSAT/NMSQT exam. Passing an AP exam can earn test-takers college credit. The PSAT/NMSQT test is sometimes viewed as a precursor to the SAT. It is used to assess student performance and as a qualifier for National Merit Scholarships.

About 3.8 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT test in the fall of 2014. AP exams were taken by about 2.5 million students in 2015.

More than 1.5 million students received a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam in 2015, up slightly from the previous year.

Depending on the school and the state, college credit may be awarded for scores of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP exams.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/09/03/college-board-reports-lower-sat-scores-most-test-takers-missing-college-ready/

College Board reports lower SAT scores, most test-takers missing college-ready benchmark

Student performance on the SAT college entrance exam is lagging, continuing a mostly downward trend over the last five years.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 3 at 2015 8:17 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:17:00 -0400

This is what happens when teachers and school districts teach to the standardized tests and not what kids really need to know. This is why our educational system is falling behind the rest of the world.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Sep 3 at 2015 8:26 AM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:26:29 -0400

I think the main reason for the mean decreasing is the increase of students taking the test. If 100% of high school students were required to take the SAT's the mean would be even lower.

My three boys all took the "new" SAT's, (guess they're not so new anymore) all did very well on all three sections. All three also had very strong grades in high school. They all got into solid schools, did well at them and are all productive young men with one SM. So for us, they were a strong predictor of future performance.

On a side note we have a young friend arriving from Maine tomorrow (my wife's home state) who got a perfect score on the SAT's, as well as all 5's on her subject tests. She had above a 4.0 GPA, and was the valedictorian of her class in high school all while working and being a team captain and varsity letter winner! She is beginning her college career at Princeton on Saturday and I predict she is going to do well also! She also had a great role model in her big sister, an Air Force Academy graduate and SM AF pilot. She did well on her SAT's too! ;)

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 3 at 2015 8:43 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:43:48 -0400

Get rid of the NEA and the Department of Education first. Convene a Committee to go to the top five nations in educational standings and learn what they do from K-PHD. That would set the standards. I know its not a matter of funding.

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/04/07/study-no-link-between-school-spending-student-achievement/

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 3 at 2015 9:42 AM

SPC David S. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:42:15 -0400

If all else remained the same the average score for the additional 30K students would have to have been 383.666 reading, 399.666 math, and 317 writing to pull the scores down to 495, 511 and 484 respectively. The composite score for the additional 30K students would be 1100.332 - 1100 is considered a low score. What I find interesting is the AP scores where up for 1.5 million students. Maybe students are now more focused on AP exams as you can earn college credit as apposed to the SAT where you pay to take the exam and get nothing in return no matter the performance.

However the SAT is still looks like a good predictive indicator for student success as I found one study that looked at second year returning students and their SAT scores. It examined the second-year retention rate and six-year graduation rate of new full-time undergraduates who enrolled at a Maryland public four-year college or university directly from high school in terms of their composite SAT scores at entry. The analysis showed that the higher the SAT scores of students, the greater the likelihood that they not only returned for a second year of study but eventually earned a baccalaureate as well. Not surprised by that at all as if a student is prepared for the academics the transition will be easier. Poorly prepared students will struggle with the transition making bad grades and getting put on academic probation.

What's the problem - the dumbing down of America by setting the standard to the lowest common denominator. The lack of a variance in age groups suggests that educational attainment has stagnated in the US, Finland, and Germany compared to other countries. However the reasons for this are related to other issues like cost of education and economy.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 10:09 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:09:18 -0400

I think a large part of it is that far more people are even taking the SATs. When you reach out to grab those who wouldn't have previously taken it, of course the average will drop. That isn't to say this should be ignored or that there is no other trend here. I think there have been some pretty odd changes to public education including things like common core math that are a slap in the face to many of the students. We go through this in waves where we want to make sure everyone can get through (which we should) at the detriment of those who are more advanced (we shouldn't).

A lot of this is unavoidable, tough choices, that school districts have to make in the wake of not having the resources (teachers, money, facilities) that they really require. This is a result of two things, a lowered economy and a reluctance to fund something government based. In this case it is VERY important to realize the difference between a strong central government (if you are opposed to such) and a strong school system for the future of our nation.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Sep 3 at 2015 10:19 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:19:23 -0400

The problems with our current education system are almost to many to list. They include: School administrators who are more concerned about feeding kids then teaching them. Rampant social promotion of students who have not learned the prior years curriculum. A fifth or more of the student-teacher contact days taken from teaching students so you can have Common Core testing, inservice training for teachers, social indoctrinization for students, liberal snow days, school spirit days, etc. Teachers forced to stick to the common core schedule despite half the class not having learned the prior weeks lessons. Teachers forced to "teach the common core test" rather than teaching students their lessons. School administrators and parents that listen to/support the student over the adult teacher. A general level of disrespect by students and parents for teachers. Teachers forced to dedicate a large portion of their time to physically, mentally, and emotionally challanged students who are placed in their classrooms for "socialization" purposes. The deletion of Industrial Arts programs which helped take problem students out of the traditional classes. The wholescale segmenting of curriculum for normal students (dumbed down) and the highly advanced International Baccalaureate program. These are all problems that can be fixed at the local School Board, Administrator and teacher level. Unfortunately, current American policy is to seek greater control and centralization of schools at the State and Federal level.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 3 at 2015 3:08 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:08:59 -0400

For much of the youth, they can't or do not want to see the linear logic of working hard in school opens gates or keeps gates open academically and future endeavors. Many don't realize we as a nation spend billions a year to educate High School students because it is important. I have a theory that many believe their lives are currently apex moments, and the future will open up its riches without hard work.

Response by COL Roxanne Arndt made Sep 3 at 2015 4:48 PM

COL Roxanne Arndt — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 16:48:16 -0400

Predictor or Standardize testing does not always equal good or bad potential for higher education. Some people are just bad test takers. I took an entrance exam for college, did not do well, was on academic probation and achieved a 4.0 my first year. If a student is motivated and wants to go on to further their education, already has good study skills etc they should not be disqualified for admission. After all it's their money they are spending not the schools. If a student 'wants to go to college because it's the thing to do" well that's another story, the parents or whomever is the guardian should recommend a junior college first. Going to college because it's the thing to do and not having a plan is a recipe for disaster.