Declining SAT Scores and Your Student

According to the article, “Students bombed the SAT this year in Four Charts,” that appeared on September 2, 2015 in Bloomberg, SAT scores for the Class of 2015 were the lowest they have been in 40 years on the Critical Reading section.  In fact, all three sections of the test showed declining scores from the prior year. The graphs used to illustrate the drop in reading and writing were labeled, “reading incomprehension” and “writer’s block” respectively. It is the impact on lifelong learning that may be a greater concern than the scores.  We want all students to be able to read and write well in order to enter college and/or a career and to continue to desire to learn throughout their life.
One particular student essay I recently read may illustrate a deeper concern.  The student’s hatred for school was clearly stated, however, in the seven grammatically well-constructed sentences written, there was only the one main idea rewritten several times with similar words rearranged in a different order. The sentences lacked descriptive words to create a picture, there was no emotion or feeling unveiled in the words, and there were no clear reasons for the argument. The paragraph left the reader unimpressed. The content, however, was a chilling reminder that should trigger a desire to “fix” the problem. We want all our students to have the ability to write a compelling argument, and we want them to have the desire to love learning.
It is, therefore, even more disconcerting that students may not be building the lifelong love of learning and that may be more disturbing than the drop in scores itself.  The good news we may bring to this story is that we have the tools within our grasp to improve a student’s ability to read and write. It will require a more individualized approach with direct instruction, guided practice of 40 percent more than is given during school time and a positive approach with lots of praise and encouragement so that students will “buy in” to doing the work necessary.
Research supports that early intervention is key so that students reach high school with solid reading and writing skills and a strong desire to learn. If you would like more information about the role a Tutor Doctor tutor may play in growing these skills, find us at www.santaclaritatutoring.com, Santa Clarita Tutor Doctor on Facebook, or call me at 661-219-5335.