Module Nine Critical Analysis (CA) SAT Scores and Family
American culture emphasizes the idea that college admission is based on a meritocratic system where the most qualified people are admitted based solely on performance. In this Journal, you will be exploring this idea further to understand inequalities in education. After reading Chapter 16, as well as the New York Times article, “SAT Scores and Family Income” ( https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/03/rich-students-get-better-sat-scores-heres-why.html ;), discuss the following questions in your Lab:
1. Most universities require students to submit scores from the SAT (or the similar ACT) as part of the admission process. These standardized tests are supposed to predict how well a student will do in college. After reading Chapter 16, what are some issues with this idea? DO the SATs predict how well everyone will do in college, or just some people?
2. Data from the College Board (creator of the SAT), show that the SAT is strongly correlated (or linked) to family income. Think critically about the graphs in the New York Times article: why do students from wealthier families do so much better on the SAT?
3. Based on your answers to questions 1 and 2, do you think the SAT should be used in the college admissions process? Why, why not? Defend your stance.
