Report Finds Gaps Still Evident in Sat I Test Scores

Racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities persist on the SAT I, according to a report released by the College Board Tuesday.

The largest ethnic gaps were between the African American and white test-takers. There was a 106 point gap in math and a 97 point gap in verbal scores, according to information obtained by the Daily Cal.

Mexican Americans scored on average 81 points lower than whites on the verbal section and 76 points lower than whites on the math section, the documents showed.

The College Board report also stated that high school students across the nation are scoring higher in math and lower in verbal on the SAT I.

Additionally, the report stated students from suburban areas scored significantly higher than those from large cities and rural areas.

"I think that's glaring evidence for the teachability of the test," said Erick Munoz, co-chair of La Raza Law Students at Boalt Hall School of Law. "People who have access for tutors and test prep have a big advantage."

Compared to the verbal section, the math section is "very predictable," and therefore, easier to prepare for, Munoz said.

Berkeley School Board President Shirley Issel also attributed the lower verbal scores to the lack of resources for language learners and students of low socioeconomic backgrounds to enhance their vocabulary skills.

College Board Spokesperson Kristin Carnahan agreed socioeconomic status was a major factor in determining SAT I scores but also attributed the drop in verbal scores to a decline in high school grammar curriculum.

Berkeley school board members agreed more emphasis needs to be placed on reading and writing in school curriculum.

"There's a big focus on literacy in the primary grades," Issel said. "However that focus is not maintained (thereafter)."

Others also pointed to the higher levels of math available to students at younger grades.

Although the gender gap between male and female test-takers has steadily been decreasing, male test-takers still earned an average of 34 points more in the math section than female test-takers.

Carnahan said the gender gap is getting smaller because women today are taking more advanced math classes. Ten years ago, 31 percent of college-bound women took pre-calculus courses and now 44 percent are taking pre-calculus courses, she added.

Carnahan said the new SAT I, which will be released in 2005, may be affected by the recent score report. But the content of the new test is still being developed.

The UC Regents decided the new test will feature math as advanced as Algebra II and more reading comprehension questions. The analogies section will not appear in the new SAT I.

But don't expect any changes in next year's SATs, Carnahan said. For students like Santa Clara High School Senior John Vu, that news can be devastating.

"The SATs were hard," Vu said, adding he found the verbal section difficult in last spring's test.

Vu said the verbal section contained reading passages from historical texts dating back to the 1800s. Vu said he could have done better if he read primary sources from that time period in high school.

In the spring of 2001, UC President Richard Atkinson openly opposed the SAT I. Since last spring, UC Regents have been working with the College Board on creating a new California test for UC applicants. The exam, which will be released in 2006, will have a writing section and an additional critical reading section.

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