NYC Students Score Far Below State and National Averages on SAT, Marking Some of the Lowest Scores in Years
New York City public school students have fallen significantly behind their peers across the state and nation on the SAT, according to troubling new data. The average scores for city students mark some of the lowest in at least seven years, underscoring the ongoing educational challenges in the Big Apple.
A Steady Decline in SAT Scores
Last year, NYC public school students scored an average of 473 on the math portion of the SAT, a critical component of college admissions. This score is 71 points below the average for students in the rest of New York State and 32 points below the national average. Meanwhile, the reading and writing scores for NYC students remained stagnant at 482, the same as in 2023. However, this still lags significantly behind the average scores of 553 for the rest of New York State and 519 nationwide.
The math, reading, and writing portions of the SAT are each scored out of 800, making a perfect combined score 1600.
Widening Gaps Across Demographics
The data revealed troubling disparities among student demographics. The average math score for Asian students in NYC dropped to 582, a four-point decline from the previous year. White students saw a similar decline, with average math scores falling to 536, down eight points from 2023. The performance gap between these groups and their Black and Hispanic peers remains particularly stark, reflecting ongoing educational inequities.
“It’s another wake-up call for New York City Public Schools to concentrate on improved instruction in core subjects,” remarked David Bloomfield, an educator and professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center.
Impact of Pandemic and Test Format Changes
Experts point to multiple factors contributing to the declining scores. Eric Nadelstern, former deputy chancellor for instruction at the NYC Department of Education, emphasized the unique challenges faced by NYC students, including higher proportions of economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, and special education students. He noted that many of the students taking the SAT last year began high school during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, a period marked by disrupted learning and reduced academic support.
Additionally, the College Board transitioned the SAT to a fully digital format in the spring of 2024, a significant shift that may have affected student performance. Meanwhile, colleges across the country have been moving back toward “test required” policies after many dropped the SAT and ACT requirements during the pandemic.
Declining Test Participation
The percentage of NYC graduating students taking the SAT also dipped from 71.5% in 2023 to 70.9% last year, with only Asian students seeing an increase in participation.
Looking Ahead
Despite these challenges, some NYC students remain optimistic. Leo Niyazov, an 11th-grader at Brooklyn Technical High School, is preparing for the SAT to improve his chances of getting into West Point, while his classmate Avish Jain is focused on securing a strong score to boost his scholarship opportunities.
Educational leaders like Frances Kweller, director of Kweller Prep, continue to advocate for expanded access to academic support, particularly for historically underserved students.
“Colleges are moving back to ‘test required’ precisely because they have seen a direct correlation between SAT and ACT performance and college readiness and success,” noted Linda Quarles, vice president of the Citywide Council on High Schools and a Brooklyn Tech parent.
As NYC educators and policymakers grapple with these sobering statistics, the push for more effective support systems and targeted educational interventions will be critical to reversing this downward trend.
Conclusion
As NYC educators and policymakers grapple with these sobering statistics, the push for more effective support systems and targeted educational interventions will be critical to reversing this downward trend. If you’re a parent or student looking to improve SAT scores and boost college admissions chances, consider partnering with PMJ Coaching. We specialize in personalized test prep, scholarship guidance, and college admissions strategies that empower students to achieve their academic goals. Visit PMJ Coaching today to take the first step toward a brighter future.
Read original article here.
