The East Bay Times – Sharon Noguchi
“California’s Class of 2016 scored lower than the national average on SAT reading and math tests, although state students outperformed their national peers in writing, just-released scores show. But the scores released late Monday may represent more than the state’s periodic fluctuation in national comparisons of reading and math. California’s sinking scores may reflect the SAT’s increasing democratization, with more students at differing levels of preparation taking the exam. California saw a 1.6 percent increase in the number of seniors taking the test to nearly 241,600 students. According to the College Board, the private group that runs the test, the increase is due to districts like West Contra Costa and San Jose Unified, which offer students the opportunity to take the test on a school day and cover the fees — about $50 per student.”(more)