Our Failing Public Schools

Dr. Mike Charles

Pacific University

For the first time in the history of our country, the educational skills of one generation will not surpass, will not equal, will not even approach those of their parents.– Paul Copperman (cited in

A Nation at Risk, National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983, p. 11)

Data from SAT scores

[From 1950-1989] we probably experienced the worst educational decline in our history. Between 1963 and 1980, for example, combined average SAT scores–scores which test students’ verbal and math abilities–fell 90 points, from 980 to 890.– William Bennett (The Devaluing of

America, 1992, p. 55)

The data…

See “Average SAT Scores by year handout…

The data…

How much of a decline?

6-9 questions in a 138 question test

Less than 5% decrease Relatively “flat” since 1975

Is it fair to compare?

Disclaimer at the beginning of the SAT booklet--not equivalent groups

Test taken by a self-selected group--college bound seniors

Comparison group for this norm referenced exam scored in 1941– How is the group applying to go to

college in 1941 different than the group applying in 2001?

SAT “level” means success

“Level” SAT scores for this ever increasing number of students argues for the tremendous success of the public education system

Only one subpopulation group has seen a decline in scores– Whites from 944 to 938--about 1

question--from 1976-1993– All other groups rising

SAT subpopulation scores

Average SAT subpopulation scores

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

White Black

Asian AmericanNative AmericanMexican American

Puerto Rican

Average total scores

1976

1993

Summary

SAT is a very limited measure A “large” shift in SAT scale scores means

only a small shift in the number of SAT questions answered correctly

Aggregate SAT scores should not be used for judging the performance of schools, districts, states, or nations

Disaggregated SAT scores suggest that student achievement has either been steady or climbing in the past 18 years

Source

The Manufactured Crisis by David Berliner and Bruce Biddle. Chapter 1. Addison Wesley: Reading, Massachusetts, 1995