2014 SAT Score Trend Remains Flat; Test-Fixated School Policies Have Not Improved College Readiness | FairTest

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Reprinted from fairtest.org

SAT SCORE TREND REMAINS FLAT;
TEST-FIXATED SCHOOL POLICIES HAVE NOT IMPROVED COLLEGE READINESS
EVEN AS MEASURED BY OTHER STANDARDIZED EXAMS

SAT results for the nation's high school seniors continue to stagnate according to data released today by the test's sponsor, the College Board. Overall SAT averages have dropped by 21 points since 2006 when the test was last revised. Score gaps between racial groups increased, often significantly over that period.

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director of the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest), said, "Proponents of 'No Child Left Behind,' 'Race to the Top,' and similar state-level programs promised that a focus on testing would boost college readiness while narrowing gaps between ethnic groups. SAT score trends show a total failure, according to their own measures. Scores have declined since 2006 for every group except Asians. Doubling down on unsuccessful policies with more high-stakes K-12 testing, as Common Core exam proponents propose, is an exercise in futility, not meaningful school improvement. Nor will revising the SAT, as currently planned, address the nation's underlying educational issues."

Schaeffer continued, "At the same time, the number of schools dropping SAT and ACT admissions exam requirements has soared. This year at least 14 more colleges and universities including Wesleyan, Beloit, Temple and Montclair State have adopted test-optional policies for all or many applicants." A list of more than 840 such bachelor-degree granting institutions is posted athttp://www.fairtest.org/university/optional and regularly updated.

Calculated by FairTest from: College Board, College-Bound Seniors 2014: Total Group Profile Report and College-Bound Seniors 2006: Total Group Profile Report

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Authors Website: http://fairtest.org

Authors Bio:

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest) advances quality education and equal opportunity by promoting fair, open, valid and educationally beneficial evaluations of students, teachers and schools. FairTest also works to end the misuses and flaws of testing practices that impede those goals.

We place special emphasis on eliminating the racial, class, gender, and cultural barriers to equal opportunity posed by standardized tests, and preventing their damage to the quality of education. Based on Goals and Principles, we provide information, technical assistance and advocacy on a broad range of testing concerns, focusing on three areas: K-12,university admissions, and employment tests.

FairTest publishes an electronic newsletter, The Examiner, plus a full catalog of materials on both K- 12 and university testing to aid teachers, administrators, students, parents and researchers.  FairTest also has numerous fact sheetsavailable to educate you on standardized testing and alternative assessment.

FairTest's current projects include the following:

• Working with other groups in Testing Resistance and Reform Spring to help local activist builds their campaigns and link up with one another.
• Leading the national Forum on Educational Accountability, which seeks to overhaul the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind and related programs.
• Advancing ‘test-score optional’ college admissions programs, including our listing of more than 800 such colleges.
• Promoting the use of authentic, performance-based assessments and classroom/school-based evidence gathered over time to improve teaching and learning and inform communities.
• Supporting efforts to halt the misuse of student test scores in judging teachers and other educators.
• The Assessment Reform Network aims to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among teachers, parents, education reform and civil rights organizations seeking to improve student assessment practices in their communities.
• Uncovering the bias, misuses and coachability of the SAT, ACT and similar college entrance exams.
• Attacking the false notions that test scores equal merit.