New York City students’ SAT scores have plummeted to the lowest averages recorded in at least seven years, according to recent data released by the city Department of Education. Public school students in New York City scored an average of 473 in math, which is significantly lower than the average for the rest of New York state by 71 points, and 32 points below the national average.
The reading and writing section saw no improvement, as NYC students maintained an average of 482, still trailing behind the rest of the state and country, which scored averages of 553 and 519, respectively. Each section of the SAT is scored out of 800, with the highest possible score being 1600.
David Bloomfield, an educator and professor at Brooklyn College, calls these results a “wake-up call” for New York City schools, emphasizing the need for improved instruction in core subjects. The decline in performance has raised concerns about the educational attainment of NYC students compared to their peers nationwide.
The report highlights a concerning achievement gap across different demographic groups, with Asian and white students performing better than Black and Hispanic students. For instance, Asian students averaged 582 in math, but this was down four points from the previous year. In contrast, Hispanic students scored an average of 430, over 100 points lower than their white counterparts, while Black students scored an average of 426.
Despite these figures, there were slight improvements noted for some groups: Asian students saw a rise in reading and writing scores, and Black students improved marginally from 446 to 449. This reflects a broader trend where national SAT reading and writing scores have experienced a slight decline.
Education advocates emphasize the importance of expanding access to academic support, particularly for underrepresented students. Frances Kweller, a tutoring company director, noted that disparities in SAT scores could be linked to socioeconomic factors, including a higher proportion of students from lower-income backgrounds, students of color, and English language learners.
Participation rates in the SAT among NYC students have also shifted, decreasing from 71.5% in 2023 to 70.9% last year, although Asian student participation increased. The SAT transition to a fully digital format this spring might impact future outcomes as colleges pivot back to requiring test scores based on their association with readiness for higher education.
Students like Leo Niyazov and Avish Jain from Brooklyn Technical High School are actively engaging in test preparation in the hopes of enhancing their college applications in an increasingly competitive environment. They have expressed a need for improved academic support within schools.
The Department of Education has pointed to a positive aspect, noting that 12% more NYC students passed Advanced Placement exams in 2024 compared to the previous year, indicating that students are challenging themselves academically in other areas.
While the SAT scores present a sobering picture of educational challenges, there are promising signs of student resilience and determination to succeed academically. These developments indicate that there is potential for improvement as educators respond to these pressing needs.