In other words, more kids are taking the SAT and scores are declining. According to DPI, “North Carolina’s math score on the SAT dropped four points from 2006 (from 513 last year to 509 in 2007). The critical reading score stayed the same, 495. The average writing score was 485, a three-point drop from 2006 when the writing test was first included in the SAT.”

Black students continue to fall behind. In 2007, Black students scored 851, six points lower than in 2006. This score was 204 points lower than White students? score, 213 points lower than Asian students, 117 points lower than Hispanic students, and 80 points lower than American Indian students.

The DPI spin is typical. “The strong SAT participation rates show us that students want education beyond high school,” SBE Chairman Howard Lee said.