More California students are taking the SAT, but scores are down. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said fifty-three percent of California seniors took the test, which colleges use to evaluate applicants. That’s up four percent from last year.
Among public school students, writing scores were down five points. Both math and critical reading scores were down six points. Torlakson said there’s a connection between the increased participation and a drop in scores.
“When you have more students maybe from a less strong academic background, the scores will sort of flatten out and that’s what we’re seeing,” Torlakson explained.
Sixty-five percent of the California high school seniors taking the SAT this year were minority students. Torlakson said that’s the most diverse class in state history.
