Balance (1965 - 1990)
The Second Decline (after 1970): Pervasive Changes
The Advisory Panel identified a variety of forces that contributed to the SAT score decline after 1970. This indicated that there was a pervasive change in young people, their lives, their education, and their abilities.
One set of forces identified by the Advisory Panel focused on the school.
Curricular requirements changed in many high schools so that more electives and fewer academic requirements, especially in English, were required of high school students. The Advisory Panel did not recommend eliminating electives in high school but did suggest that all courses emphasize critical thinking.
Also, a diminished seriousness of purpose and attention to mastery of knowledge and skills pervaded schools, homes, and society generally. Social promotion, reduced academic demands, grade inflation, and lower standards, among other things, characterized high school.
Another set of forces identified by the Advisory Panel targeted society.
The pervasive influence of television, the Advisory Panel suggested, may have changed how children learn. Viewing and listening, rather than reading, may now be the dominant method of learning.
Also noted were changes in the family structure that resulted in more children coming from single-parent homes. As well, the cultural and social disruption between 1972 and 1975 may have adversely influenced test-takers' academic preparation.
The Advisory Panel noted a marked decline in young people's motivation to learn, although the panel could only speculate that this reflected the "the entire nation's spirits and self-esteem and sense of purpose."
