The lowest SAT reading scores in four decades: 4 theories

More students than ever before are taking the SATs — and they're dragging the nationwide average down. But it's not that simple...

National SAT reading scores are down and one theory blames the 2002 law No Child Left Behind.
(Image credit: Tom Grill/Corbis)

The test results are in... and they're not so good. On Wednesday, the College Board reported that SAT reading scores for the graduating class of 2011 are the lowest since 1972, the first year for which comparisons are available. The average reading score was 497 on the 200-to-800 point scale, down 33 points from 1972, and three points from 2010. What's behind the decline? Here, four theories:

1. More students are taking the test

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