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Some Pitfalls Encountered While Trying to Compare States on Their SAT Scores: Page and Feifs as an Example SAT

Author(s):
Wainer, Howard
Publication Year:
1985
Report Number:
RR-85-37
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
33
Subject/Key Words:
National Science Foundation (NSF), Comparative Analysis, Educational Quality, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Scores, State Norms

Abstract

Page and Feifs attempt to draw inferences about the relative standing of the states on the basis of their mean SAT scores. They point out that this cannot be done without statistically adjusting for various differences among the states. In this paper we identify five serious errors that they made in their analysis which calls to question the validity of their findings. In addition we describe some plausible paths toward a solution. (33pp.)

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