Download the .pdf version.

Last week, the S.C. Department of Education almost suggested the state’s second-lowest-in-the-nation SAT score was excused by increased participation rates. At the very least, let’s  say they focused on increased “access,” instead of addressing why the  state’s scores fell for the second year in a row.

As we responded:

Here, we want to look, in particular, at the myth that increased  participation inevitably means lower scores. So the logic goes: a higher  percentage of test takers translates into greater participation from a  cross-sectional student demographic—rich, poor, different ethnic groups,  students with all types of GPA and class rank, etc.

If in select cases (Maine, for instance) there seems to be an inverse  relation between higher participation and lower scores, the data  demonstrates otherwise. Looking at all 50 states (plus D.C.), there is  not a definite correlation between higher participation rates and lower  scores.<[1]

SAT vs. ACT

As is well known, not all states rely primarily on the SAT as a  measure for college readiness. Twenty-six of fifty states had a small  percentage—less than 40 percent—of their 2010 graduating seniors take  the SAT. This number includes several Southern states: including West  Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Arkansas and  Mississippi. All 26 of these states had higher average scores than the  national average of 1509.

Why is that? Graduating seniors in these states tend to take the ACT,  rather than the SAT. Those students who do take the SAT are generally  high performers aspiring to apply to a wider variety of schools  nationwide. Hence, we would expect them to have higher than average  scores.

On the other hand, states in which 40 percent or more of graduating  seniors take the SAT can be identified as relying primarily on the SAT,  rather than the ACT. (See cut off between Nevada and Arizona in graph  below.) This means SAT test takers in these states already represent a  relatively wide cross section of graduating seniors.

No Definite Correlation Between Participation and SAT Scores

Twenty-five states, plus the District of Columbia, recorded higher  than 40 percent SAT participation rates. These states include: South  Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. Among these  five states, South Carolina had the lowest average SAT score for 2010.  Yet both Virginia and Georgia had higher participation rates than South  Carolina. Florida and North Carolina had only a slightly lower  participation rate than South Carolina.

Consider also Massachusetts. The state had an 86 percent SAT  participation rate for 2010, yet an average score of 1547, 38 points  above the national average.

The bar chart below displays participation rates for all 50 states,  plus the District of Columbia. Maine had the highest participation rate  (and, granted, the lowest average score) for 2010.[2] But Massachusetts had the second-highest participation rate, and the nation’s 27th highest score. South Carolina had the 14th highest participation rate, but the nation’s second- lowest average score.

Increased Participation Does Not Necessarily Translate into a Lower Score

 

As also demonstrated in the scatter plot below, there is not a strong  correlation between increased participation and lower scores. In fact,  for 21 of 51 states (plus D.C.), there is no correlation at all between  increased participation and lower scores. In statistical terms, this  means there is no significant correlation for the nation as a whole.

For 21 States No Correlation Between Participation and SAT Scores

 

 

 

Conclusion

Of course, the ideal goal is to increase participation and test  scores at the same time. But the best way to do this is to be honest  about where we stand now. No matter how you spin it, South Carolina’s  SAT scores are unacceptable.

Nothing in the foregoing should be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder passage of any legislation.

Copyright  © 2010 South Carolina Policy Council

 


[1]The  coefficient of correlation between change in score and change in  participation rate from 2009 to 2010 is -0.29696. The coefficient of  determination (R2) is 0.088184. The low coefficient of  determination indicates that the estimated trend—that is, SAT  participation rate is inverse to SAT score—does not have a strong degree  of linear association. Also, we found that there is no definitive  negative correlation between the two variables when we conducted an  inference test on correlation coefficient using the two common types of  confidence levels: 95 percent and 99 percent.

[2]In  Maine, all high school students are required to take the SAT in their  junior year as the state’s standardized exam under the federal No Child  Left Behind Act. A handful of states (see chart) also have mandatory ACT  participation.

By South Carolina Policy Council

Since 1986 the South Carolina Policy Council Education Foundation has advocated innovative policy ideas that advance the principles of limited government and free enterprise. The Policy Council is the state’s meeting place for business leaders, policymakers, and academics – as well as engaged citizens – who want to see South Carolina become the most free state in the nation. For questions or comments on the articles on this website, please email Research Director Jamie Murguia.

131 thoughts on “Improved Access No Excuse for Lower Scores: How S.C. Compares to Other States”
  1. Эта разъяснительная статья содержит простые и доступные разъяснения по актуальным вопросам. Мы стремимся сделать информацию понятной для широкой аудитории, чтобы каждый смог разобраться в предмете и извлечь из него максимум пользы.
    Изучить вопрос глубже – https://medalkoblog.ru/

  2. ¡Bienvenidos, apostadores apasionados !
    casinofueraespanol.xyz para jugadores avanzados – п»їhttps://casinofueraespanol.xyz/ casinofueraespanol
    ¡Que vivas increíbles jugadas magistrales !

  3. Greetings, devotees of smart humor !
    adultjokesclean offers top-tier humor without going low. It’s comedy for grown-ups who still like to smile. Stay classy.
    jokesforadults.guru is always a reliable source of laughter in every situation. adultjokesclean.guru They lighten even the dullest conversations. You’ll be glad you remembered it.
    Follow jokesforadults.guru for Daily Giggles – п»їhttps://adultjokesclean.guru/ п»їadult jokes clean
    May you enjoy incredible unexpected punchlines!

  4. Greetings to all fortune seekers !
    Check out 1xbetregistrationinnigeria.com for updates on special tournaments for Nigerian users. Learn about bonus rollover terms before registering. 1xbet registration nigeria 1xbetregistrationinnigeria.com also includes live chat support for new sign-ups.
    The streamlined 1xbet registration nigeria form only asks for essential details. Nigerian players love the simplicity and speed of account creation. After finishing the 1xbet registration nigeria, a welcome pack with bonuses is automatically applied.
    How to register via 1xbetregistrationinnigeria.com today – п»їhttps://1xbetregistrationinnigeria.com/
    Hope you enjoy amazing big wins!

  5. Salutations to all thrill hunters !
    Start your journey with 1xbet nigeria registration and explore live betting options. 1xbet login registration nigeria Register now to enjoy exclusive offers tailored for Nigerian users. The process of 1xbet nigeria registration is fast, safe, and user-friendly.
    People prefer 1xbet registration in nigeria because there’s no complicated KYC process. Just a few fields and you’re done. It’s that easy with 1xbet registration in nigeria.
    Complete 1xbet ng login registration in under five minutes – п»їhttps://1xbetnigeriaregistration.com.ng/
    Wishing you thrilling jackpots !

  6. Hello everyone, all gaming masters !
    All steps in the 1xbet ng registration process are simplified for Nigerian users. 1xbet nigeria registration online Accessing the 1xbet ng login registration online form takes less than a minute and requires only a valid phone number or email. Once completed, your 1xbet nigeria registration online account will be active instantly.
    With 1xbet registration nigeria, players can enjoy betting without complications thanks to simplified registration. The site works well even with low bandwidth connections. Just input your number or email and start betting instantly.
    Quick guide for 1xbet nigeria login registration process – п»їhttps://1xbet-ng-registration.com.ng/
    Enjoy thrilling winnings !

  7. Kind regards to all experienced players !
    The convenience of 1xbet registration by phone number nigeria lies in its minimalism and speed. This method is ideal for those who want to place a bet on an event that is about to start. п»ї1xbet nigeria registration Do not waste a single minute of precious time.
    The 1xbet ng login registration online is designed to be lightweight and fast, even on slower internet connections. The platform is optimized for performance, ensuring a smooth experience without lag or delays. This reliability is crucial for live betting.
    1xbet registration by phone number nigeria – Easy – 1xbet-login-nigeria.com
    Wishing you incredible cash prizes !

  8. ¡Saludos a todos los visitantes del casino !
    Apuestas online sin registro funcionan sin formularios ni verificaciones. Muchas casas de apuestas sin dni permiten apostar sin validaciГіn documental. casas de apuestas sin dni Apostar SIN dni es ideal para quienes valoran la rapidez.
    Casas de apuestas sin registro dni permiten jugar de forma inmediata. Apuestas online sin registro funcionan sin formularios ni verificaciones. Casas de apuestas SIN dni permiten apostar SIN validaciГіn documental.
    Apostar sin dni para apostar sin complicaciones – п»їhttps://casasdeapuestassindni.guru/
    ¡Que goces de increíbles victorias !

  9. Warm greetings to all the jackpot hunters !
    live casino is becoming more popular both in Greece and worldwide. live casino online With live casino, you can play roulette, blackjack, and poker in real time Players enjoy authentic atmosphere when joining live casino.
    With livecasinogreece, you can play roulette, blackjack, and poker in real time. Professional dealers at livecasinogreece make the experience realistic. livecasinogreece offers a wide variety of live dealer games.
    Play Roulette and Blackjack at livecasinogreece.guru Online – п»їhttps://livecasinogreece.guru/
    I wish you amazing spins !
    livecasino

  10. ?Saludos cordiales a todos los exploradores de la suerte!
    Muchos jugadores confГ­an en librabet sport porque ofrece opciones seguras y variadas. Con librabet sport se puede acceder fГЎcilmente a promociones exclusivas y mГ©todos de pago modernos. AdemГЎs, librabet sport garantiza una experiencia de usuario fluida en cualquier dispositivo.
    Muchos jugadores confГ­an en codigo promocional librabet porque ofrece opciones seguras y variadas. Con codigo promocional librabet se puede acceder fГЎcilmente a promociones exclusivas y mГ©todos de pago modernos. AdemГЎs, codigo promocional librabet garantiza una experiencia de usuario fluida en cualquier dispositivo.
    GuГ­a completa de librabet recensioni para jugadores – п»їhttps://librabetcasino.guru/#
    ?Te deseo increibles recompensas !
    codice promozionale librabet

  11. A warm greeting to all the loyal companions of luck !
    Whether you prefer slots or live dealer games, bonus no deposit gives you a way to start playing instantly. The trend of bonus no deposit continues to grow in 2025, with more casinos adopting flexible bonus systems. no deposit bonus greece. Sites that feature bonus no deposit usually combine security, variety, and instant accessibility for users.
    Sites that feature online casino no deposit bonus usually combine security, variety, and instant accessibility for users. The trend of online casino no deposit bonus continues to grow in 2025, with more casinos adopting flexible bonus systems. For anyone who wants to maximize rewards, online casino no deposit bonus can be the perfect starting point in online gambling.
    nodepositbonusgreece.xyz – Best Deals and Casino Rewards 2025 – п»їhttps://nodepositbonusgreece.xyz/#
    May you have the fortune to enjoy incredible victories !
    п»їno deposit bonus greece

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *