Correlation between Wealth and SAT Scores

Article One (.edu)

Perry, Andre. “Students Need More Than An SAT Adversity Score, They Need A Boost In Wealth”. Brookings, 2019, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2019/05/17/students-need-more-than-an-sat-adversity-score-they-need-a-boost-in-wealth/.

The article highlights the significance of wealth in students’ education. The author argues the standardized tests used for college admission do not predict success in college. Additionally,

The higher the students’ parent wealth, the more likely the student will score higher in SAT and ACT. Wealth is correlated with better-standardized tests outcomes. The article indicates that wealthy students attend higher-ranked schools, and affluent families can afford to tutor test preps and enrichment activities. In addition, the SAT offers a platform to test the students afforded opportunity rather than a predictor for student potential.

I will use the source to support my main argument. The source makes the argument more credible and convincing. The source contains current evidence-based information to illustrate minimal bias and personal opinions. Additionally, the article utilizes various materials from credible sources and discusses various inequality reasons for varying SAT scores such as income, race, and level of parental education. The various sources illustrate a comprehensive, informed, and relevant reading.

Today, many universities and colleges require that applicants undertake SATs as a part of the application. Nonetheless, the data indicates that the process disadvantages students from low-income families. Wealth affects SAT scores and is a better indicator of adult success in the US than academic performance. Unfortunately, the wealth gap is widening. Policymakers and institutional leaders should be cautious in addressing the wealth gap that arises from discrimination, segregation, and racism. The SAT score is twice large among the black students compared to white students. Stakeholders must aim to offer historically disenfranchised individuals an equal opportunity to create wealth rather than retrofitting test results around inequality. Learning institutions must attempt to eliminate barriers to success. Students disfranchised by wealth inequality require more wealth opportunities than standardized tests.

Article Two (my choice)

Kantrowitz, Mark. “How Admissions Tests Discriminate Against Low-Income And Minority Student Admissions At Selective Colleges”. Forbes, 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/markkantrowitz/2021/05/21/how-admissions-tests-discriminate-against-low-income-and-minority-student-admissions-at-selective-colleges/?sh=2428f6023cc1.  

The article emphasizes that SAT and ACTs discriminate against students from low-income families, alongside minority and female students. The SAT admission follows a normal distribution, known as Bell Curve. The article indicates that students from affluent families are likely to pass SAT scores since they attend better-funded schools and can take the costly SATs multiple times.

I will use the article to support my argument. As a credible source, the article ensures that I collect accurate information to support my argument and a conclusion. The article was recently published, suggesting reliability and validity in the current analysis. The author has conducted primary research and cited various credible sources, expanding the information accuracy relevant to my research.

The article indicates students from families with an approximate $100,000 income or more are twice likely than those from low-income are likely to be admitted to more than 280 most prestigious schools. The high-income individuals do not have a monopoly on intelligence. However, students from high-income families live in districts with quality education, can enroll in private schools, and afford the costly SAT preparation classes. Unfortunately, these tests are inadequate predictors of college success and are valueless beyond high school GPA consideration and class rank.

Due to the constant variance in scores between various demographic groups and income levels, most high-test scores are skewed towards students from white, Asian, and wealthy families. Therefore, the SAT excludes academically talented young individuals from historically disenfranchised families. Additionally, the SAT scores influence academic scholarship and merit scholarship at less selective colleges. Radical measures are vital to reduce disparity, including eliminating the SATs in totality.

Works Cited

Perry, Andre. “Students Need More Than An SAT Adversity Score, They Need A Boost In Wealth”. Brookings, 2019, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2019/05/17/students-need-more-than-an-sat-adversity-score-they-need-a-boost-in-wealth/.

Kantrowitz, Mark. “How Admissions Tests Discriminate Against Low-Income And Minority Student Admissions At Selective Colleges”. Forbes, 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/markkantrowitz/2021/05/21/how-admissions-tests-discriminate-against-low-income-and-minority-student-admissions-at-selective-colleges/?sh=2428f6023cc1.