I'm Starting to Dig Newspapers

SAT Records Biggest Score Dip in 31 Years

By Jay Mathews
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 30, 2006

The first national results from the revamped SAT show the biggest annual drop in reading scores in 31 years and a significant edge for female students over males on the new writing section of the test, the College Board reported yesterday.

The report on SAT scores for the high school Class of 2006 illuminated how the introduction of the writing section -- including a much-dreaded essay question -- and revisions to the mathematics and reading sections have changed an assessment tool still used for admissions by most colleges and universities.

The College Board said the average score on the test's critical reading section was down five points and the average math section score was down two points, for a joint score of 1021, the lowest since 2002. The reading decline was the largest since a nine-point drop in 1975 on what was then known as the verbal section.

Average scores for public and private school students in Maryland, Virginia and the District also declined. Maryland had the largest drop, eight points in reading and six in math. As a possible factor, state officials cited a large jump in test participation among Baltimore students who had not completed a rigorous high school curriculum. Officials noted that SAT scores are nearly always higher in more affluent areas, and that participation rates can affect scores.


Is anyone surprised by this?

I for one am not.

Teachers are still confused as to how to advise their students on how to prep for the test outside of taking practice tests, and prep classes if they can afford them.

Seeing as though prep courses aren't generally available to lower income people, doesn't it just tell you that lower income students may be more prone to get lower scores.

Educational researchers may need to relearn cause and effect.


Square Feet
Unlikely Dorm Mates at Barnard
By LISA CHAMBERLAIN

Mixed-use development has become a well-established trend after decades of separation between home and work, work and shopping, shopping and home. Now, the mixed-use approach is being applied to a major college project in Manhattan.

In Morningside Heights, Barnard College recently built what is believed to be one of the first multiuse college dormitories in the country, where faculty members will not only live in the same building with 90 students but occupy the same floors and share laundry facilities and common space.

Besides the space for students and professors, the building, which is 15 stories tall in its highest section, also includes separate private residences (25 condominiums), as well as two ground-floor spaces for businesses and even a community garden.


Very interesting article in the NY Times. Barnard is brave cause it can be huge for the students and professors, or a big blow up!