The good and the bad in Texas SAT scores
New SAT scores are in. Here's the good and bad news, from Texas' perspective.
First, the positive part.
1. Math scores either rose in some subgroups or declined only a little in aggregate. Wow. Given the sharp math decline you see during the elementary and middle school years in lesser- performing schools, I wouldn't have expected those math trend lines. Especially since reading and writing scores declined more sharply across the board. Usually, math goes down and reading and writing go up.
2. In Texas, more first-generation and minority students are taking the SAT. In a state as diverse as Texas, that's encouraging news.
3. The tougher core curriculum is paying off for Texas high school students who chose to go for four years of English and three for math, science and social studies. There has been a big debate over the curriculum, but
