Recent data reveals that students in New York City are trailing behind their peers across the state and the nation on the SAT, posting their lowest average scores in at least seven years.
Last year’s public school students in NYC averaged a score of 473 in math, which is significantly lower—71 points—than the state average and 32 points below the national average.
In terms of reading and writing, the average score for NYC students was 482, unchanged from 2023, while their counterparts statewide and nationally achieved averages of 553 and 519, respectively.
Both math and reading/writing sections are scored out of 800, totaling a maximum of 1600.
David Bloomfield, an educator at Brooklyn College, emphasized the need for the city’s public schools to enhance their core subject teaching, calling the scores an “awakening call.”
The decline in SAT performance began in 2022 and marks a continued drop to the lowest average core in recent years, as noted in a report released by the city’s Department of Education.
Participation in the exam decreased from 71.5% of graduates in 2023 to 70.9% last year, with the only demographic showing increased participation being Asian students.
Tests are taken between August and June, but specific breakdowns by school or district haven’t been provided yet.
Bloomfield expressed his surprise at the widening gap between the scores of Asian and white students versus Black and Hispanic students.
Regarding performance in math, Asian students’ scores dropped by four points, while white students fell by eight points compared to the previous year.
Hispanic students averaged 430 in math, about 100 points below white students and five points lower than last year. Black students scored an average of 426, slightly down two points since 2023, which is 118 points lower than the state’s average.
Nationally, SAT math scores fell by three points, and state scores followed a similar pattern.
In reading and writing, Asian students in NYC showed improvement, whereas white students’ scores declined from 555 to 549. Slight gains were seen for Black students, with their scores rising from 446 to 449, while Hispanic scores fell by one point.
Nationally, the average reading and writing scores decreased by one point, but the rest of New York saw a slight increase, excluding city performances.
“These results remind us of the need for broader access to academic support, especially for those who haven’t traditionally received it,” mentioned Frances Kweller, director of a tutoring company in Manhattan and Queens.
Eric Nadelson, deputy commissioner of the Department of Education under former mayor Michael Bloomberg, pointed out challenges, noting that NYC students come from poorer backgrounds, with more children in special education and more English-language learners, factors he believes contribute to the score disparities.
Participation in the SAT has slightly dropped, with the only increase seen among Asian students. The College Board plans to shift the SAT to a fully digital format starting in spring 2024.
While many universities previously paused SAT and ACT score requirements during the pandemic, some are now reinstating them, as there appears to be a strong link between these scores and college readiness.
The Department of Education did not respond to requests for comments.
