<p>So whats the deal on this issue? what are your thoughts, questions, and concerns?</p>
<p>For instance do you think an applicant with a 1090 (m,v) and a pretty disadvanted financial background would get his scores equated or rationalized with his financial status? What if his family made less then 10,000 a year and were perhaps minority immigrants. </p>
<p>here some pretty interesting facts from 2002, </p>
<p>Familiy Income vs Sat V M Total
Less than $10,000/year 417 442 859
$10,000 - $20,000/year 435 453 888
$20,000 - $30,000/year 461 470 931
$30,000 - $40,000/year 480 485 965
$40,000 - $50,000/year 496 501 997
$50,000 - $60,000/year 505 509 1014
$60,000 - $70,000/year 511 516 1027
$70,000 - $80,000/year 517 524 1041
$80,000 - $100,000/year 530 538 1068
More than $100,000/year 555 568 1123</p>
<p>Actually that is pretty even between $20,000 and $100,000. The difference in that range is between 931 and 1068, which is probably statistically significant but not overwhelming.</p>
<p>I don't think it needs to take that into account. It is not income per capita within the family that matters. The point of the study is to show that those in more affluent families "generally" do better on standardized testing. In terms of parental influence there is not a huge difference between $100,000 split between 1 or 3 children. Those 3 children would still have the same likely benefits given to that 1 child, that the child with $40,000 wouldn't have.</p>
<p>I believe it's more than just the ability to pay for preparation, though that certainly may be a factor. Chances are that the higher-income families are those of parents who have college degrees. They're more in tune with what's going on, and may place greater emphasis on their children's education. Those kids who have been hearing their entire lives that they must take education seriously are better prepared to take the SATs even without explicit test prep. Kids in lower income levels may also have to spend more time working than on preparing for college.</p>
<p>Statistically speaking, the higher the income....
1) Parents better able to help with homework
2) More emphasis on success
3) Better high schools
4) Better family environment (no drugs, etc)
5) Better SAT prep</p>
<p>Agreed. Drugs, drinking, etc are quite prevalent in affluent families, as is divorce. Just because you are wealthy does not mean you have a peachy home life.</p>
<p>I agree w/ Citygirlsmom Drugs drinking divorce in rich families...I live in a Upper-middle class(but to some we seem very rich) area on Long Island...divorce isnt uncommon...and i know quite a few people w/ drinking and drug problems in there family and there parents make a lot of money</p>
<p>An issue that needs to be addressed about the "achievement gap" with SAT scores is that it is observed on an individual high school level where the test-takers attend the same high school,. It is hard, in my opinion, to blame the SAT test as being racially biased, at least on the math portion. I really can not understand how a math test can be racially biased. Assuming that it isn't, then you have students attending the same high school and their race or cultural background seems to be determining achievement level. It is not race since genetics research has found that race doesn't exist at the genetic level. </p>
<p>Certainly there are plenty of reasons why people from inner-city schools are not doing as well on the SAT as people in the suburbs, but there seems to be something else at work too. However, the main problem is the condition of the inner-city schools.</p>
<p>I live in an affluent area with a big drug problem...drugs are easy to come by when you have a lot of money. We have the added issue that parents who are doctors etc are a easy way to access prescription drugs that would otherwise be hard to obtain. In my area, some towns are wealthier than others (a matter of degree), and it's interesting to note a definite pattern - the wealthier the individual town, the bigger the drug problem. That's not to say that drugs are only a problem in wealthy areas, or that there's even any correlation between drug use and income.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I really hate the assumption that lower income people don't care about their kids futures and don't try so that is why the scores are lower
[/quote]
That's a gross misinterpretation. It isn't that lower income parents "don't care," no one's said that. But when parents are high-powered professionals with college degrees (and thus, high income), the focus of a household is often different. Those parents may also be more likely to define "success" as "going to college and getting a high-paying job." The correlation between parental education and SAT scores is even stronger than the correlation become scores and income.</p>
<p>Certainly some people with high incomes have divorces and some are alcoholics. There is an article in the paper every so often about some spoiled rich kid whose parents brought him a sports car who is dealing drugs and running a prostitution ring. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, does anybody really think that this type of thing is on the same level as what is happening in the inner cities. Okay, rich people suck too. Lets have a reality check, though. I mean statistically speaking.</p>