SAT Doesn't Test Achievement?

Posted by Barbara Pytel Jul 25, 2006

Maine made several assumptions last fall when they decided to make the SAT test the assessment for No Child Left Behind for juniors.

Assumption #1: The SAT is an achievement test.

Assumption #2: More students would possibly go to college once they saw their SAT scores.

Assumption #3: Spending less time giving tests which take away from classroom instruction would be a good thing.

The federal government has informed the state of Maine that they have failed in their NCLB assessments for juniors. While many students are considering college because of the SAT scores they received, the Department of Education has taken the stand that the SAT is an aptitude test and not an achievement test. It does not seem to matter that more students are considering college and that the SAT is a shorter test which leaves more time for classroom instruction.

Read more on this: State told SAT would fail No Child test.

Related article: SAT Scores Drop