Page 432 - Sociology and You

402 Unit 4 Social Institutions
Figure 12.3 SAT SCORES BY RACE AND ETHNICITY
An examination of this table reveals the gap in average SAT scores for whites and Asian Americans versus African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. Interpret these data as a conflict theorist would in the con- text of the U.S. as a meritocracy.
Racial/Ethnic Category
Native American or Alaskan Native
Asian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
African American
Latino Background
Mexican or Mexican American
Puerto Rican
Latin American, South American, Central American, or Other Latino
White (excluding Latino origin)
Source: The College Board, 2001.
SAT Verbal Mean Scores
482
499
434
453 456 461
528
SAT Math Mean Scores
Totals
481 963
565 1064
426 860
460 913 451 907 467 928
530 1058
Why are SAT scores considered vital to a meritocratic American society?
How do SAT scores influence economic achievement?
The SAT, created in 1926, was originally used to identify talented youth, regardless of social class background, so they could at- tend elite colleges and universities (Lemann, 1991). Ironically, as we have just seen, social class is a major factor in SAT perfor- mance. Consequently, social class (through SAT performance) still influences who will attend the institutions that are the gate- way to America’s higher social classes.
Don’t the rewards tied to high SAT scores mean that America is a meritocracy? On the surface it does seem that merit is being rewarded in the system just outlined. After all, it is those who do better academically who enjoy higher levels of success.
There are two problems with this conclusion. The first is the ad- vantage some people have because their parents’ social class cre- ates an unlevel playing field. Talent in the lower social classes often does not get recognized and developed. Second is the assumption that SAT performance measures academic ability and the likelihood of success in both college and life. For example, African American students who attend the most prestigious schools—including those students with lower SAT scores (below 1000)—complete college at