College Admissions Tests Show Test-Driven Schooling Failure

FairTest Examiner, November 2013

 Another year of stagnant results on university admissions exams provides further evidence that test-driven public education is not helping produce “college-ready” students. The average SAT score for the high school class of 2013 was essentially the same as in the previous year. Overall, SAT scores dropped by 20 points since 2006, when the test was revised to include a writing section. Gaps between racial groups increased, often significantly, over that period. ACT scores dropped slightly from 2012, sinking to the lowest level in five years.   

   Proponents of 'No Child Left Behind,' 'Race to the Top,' and similar state-level programs promised that a focus on high-stakes testing would boost college readiness. At the same time, they said, score gaps between demographic groups would narrow. The data show a total failure according to their own measures.

   Doubling down on unsuccessful policies with more high-stakes K-12 exams, as Common Core assessment proponents advocate, will be an exercise in futility, not meaningful school improvement. http://fairtest.org/common-core-assessments-factsheet

  The number of SAT Tests administered to the Class of 2013 also declined from the previous year. At the same time, students taking the rival ACT increased by 133,000.
 

2013 COLLEGE-BOUND SENIORS SAT SCORES --with score changes from 2006*

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2013 COLLEGE-BOUND SENIORS AVERAGE ACT SCORES