Statewide SAT results show some gaps

As students prepare to return to school, the state Department of Education released preliminary results for last year's statewide SAT test. 

Last year New Hampshire replaced the 11th grade Smarter Balanced assessment with the SAT.

Overall 67% of students met College and Career Readiness (CCR) Benchmark in English language arts. 41% met the CCR Benchmark in mathematics.

According to the Department of Education, the benchmarks "represent a 75 percent likelihood of a student achieving at least a C grade in a first-semester, credit-bearing college course in a related subject."

There were some significant differences in performance according to race.

Only 39% of Black/African American students met the benchmark in English. 15% met the benchmark in math.

In comparison, 69% of white students met the benchmark in English. 42% met the benchmark in math.

American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino students also performed worse than white students. Asian students performed better than white students.

These results are consistent with a common criticism of the SAT - that non-white students perform worse, even when controlling for socioeconomic status.

However, the Smarter Balanced Assessment is also criticized for racial disparities.

Do you have an opinion on using the SAT for a statewide assessment? Let us know in the comments.