FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
You probably already suspected this, but just in case….
SAT reading scores for high school seniors this year are the lowest they've been in almost 40 years.
The College Board - a non-partisan group that administers the test - reports that SAT scores are down in every subject; dropping three points in reading, one point in math and two points in writing.
Overall, the combined average SAT score of 1500 was down six points from last year and down 18 points from five years ago. A perfect score is 2400.
The College Board says scores are lower due to the growing diversity of students taking the test:
In 2011, 44% of test-takers were minorities, 36% were the first in their family to go to college and 27% didn't speak English exclusively.
The test administrators say more students than ever are taking the SAT, which includes more students from different ethnic, economic and academic backgrounds.
Meanwhile, these disappointing SAT scores come as schools have been working to raise scores on state standardized tests under the No Child Left Behind law. But it sounds like a lot of children may be getting left behind.
Experts acknowledge that we should be worried. They suggest that high schools need more rigorous classes to prepare students for college . Gee... there's an idea!
Others suggest that educators have been putting more focus on math and science in this age of technology - and not as much on reading and writing.
But without reading and writing, how will the next generation of Americans be able to communicate - and lead this country out of the serious problems we have?
Here’s my question to you: Where is the U.S. headed if SAT reading scores are at the lowest in nearly 40 years?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
John in Alabama:
Jack, The SAT scores will get worse before they get better. The "No Child Left Behind" program only funded the testing of students. There were no funds for remediation of children who needed a little help. Therefore, this nation is now seeing low test scores in all standardized tests. In addition, the Baby Boomer generation is retiring, and the Bart Simpson generation is taking over education.
James in Greenville, North Carolina:
Jack, It means that they have all got a phone that tweets and chats and takes photos and accesses the internet. That is all my grandkids do these days. I am not sure if they even know how to read.
Robert:
I am afraid that it means that the next crop of new voters is ready.
Chris:
Test are not the most important thing in evaluation how smart a kid is there is a lot to learn out of school they have to deal with that they learn and it has nothign to do with algebra or spanish the deucation is so hyped up on one test they forget other stuff that determines how smart a kid will become.
Tony in Southport, North Carolina:
If the people are smart enough, they'll back legislation that gets the teachers fired for poor performance, and takes away tenure. The kids are the ones who suffer while unions and teachers benefit.
Martin on Facebook:
Well they're about to get lower. All kids do in school now is text and take pictures with their phones. When I was in school, the teachers used to actually teach us and had the courage to take our phones away.
Ernie in Vermont:
I guess that explains the rise of the Tea Party.