Wisconsin Students Score High on SATs

Wisconsin public school students once again scored very high on national tests, recording the 7th highest scores in the nation on the SAT.

The Wisconsin SAT scores were well above the national average, and Wisconsin public school students scored higher than Wisconsin private and religious school students.

“These test results are more proof that Wisconsin public schools are doing an outstanding job preparing students for higher education and jobs,” WEAC Executive Director Don Krahn said.

“The fact that Wisconsin students ranked among the top handful on the SAT is one more piece of evidence that public schools are working for Wisconsin,” WEAC President Terry Craney said.

About 7% of Wisconsin students took the SAT this year. Many private colleges throughout the country prefer the SAT for admission.

“Thus, the results only show us a comparison of students who may be seeking admission to a few elite universities,” Craney said. “In that small segment of students, Wisconsin is one of a very few states in which public school students outperform private and religious schools.”

Craney said SAT scores for Wisconsin students have steadily increased over the last 12 years. The number of Wisconsin students taking the SAT has declined in recent years, in part because the University of Wisconsin System and most of the state’s private colleges prefer the ACT.

About 66% of Wisconsin’s 1998 high school graduates took the ACT, and they recorded the highest scores in the country.

Krahn said he is concerned about whether Wisconsin can continue its excellent showing on national tests, given the long-term impact of revenue controls on schools districts.

“While we are delighted with these impressive rankings, we are concerned that state-imposed revenue controls will slowly starve school districts and lower student performance, especially in low-income areas or communities losing enrollment," he said.

Krahn said the state is singling out education for harsh restrictions while at the same time requiring higher standards for students.

“Everyone wants to improve education, but students must have support from the government in order to meet higher expectations,” Krahn said. “Revenue controls exact a toll on our schools. Sooner or later schools will fail unless laws like revenue controls and the QEO are lifted.”