SAT Reading Scores Hit Record Low

American SAT reading scores have fallen to the lowest ever recorded, according to 2011 statistics released by the College Board.

The dramatic drop in reading achievement has also brought down the cumulative scores to figures not seen in over 15 years. The College Board, which monitors such data, claims that the drop in performance is partially the result of a more broad pool of students taking the test. The agency said that as more and more students attempt to get into college, the number of test takers goes up, leading to lower overall scores.

"We're looking and wondering if (more) efforts in English and reading and writing would benefit,” Wayne Camara, College Board vice president of research told the Associated Press.

Because there has been a big influx of students taking the exam, some are cautioning against putting too much stock in the figures.

"I think we're treading water in the long run," said Gary Phillips, chief scientist at the American Institutes of Research, citing other tests like the National Assessment of Educational Progress. "In the short run, we've had a few blips in a couple directions. Based on the international comparisons, however, we're still not doing all that well."

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