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Record 40% of SAT Takers Now Minorities

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2009 2:49 PM CDT

(Newser) – Minority participation in the SAT is up to 40% in 2009, the highest level ever, the Washington Post reports. That's up 2 points since last year and a whopping 10 points since 1999. “More than ever, the SAT reflects the diversity of students in our nation's classrooms," says the president of the College Board, which crafts the test. Overall scores (out of 2,400) fell 1 point each in critical reading (501) and writing (493), while math remained the same (515).

Though watchers applaud the diversity of the test-taking populace, some are still troubled by the inequality of scores between different racial and socioeconomic groups. For instance, students from families making more than $200,000 saw their scores improve an average of 26 points, while kids from $60,000 households held steady. Black student were off 4 points, while white test-takers lost just 2.

[Images (3)]

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Chart shows latest SAT scores. (AP Photo.)

College Board President Gaston Caperton. (Getty Images)

SAT test preparation books. (Getty Images)

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It is becoming increasingly clear that the nation cannot test its way to better educational quality or equity. - Bob Schaeffer, FairTest

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