Probably the lack of A/C in schools. School year is too short as it is, much less making kids deal with an uncomfortable learning environment for 10-15% of that year.

These stats really don't reflect on the quality of instruction or caliber of student performance - see article: http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/the-advanced-placement-juggernaut/

Parents and schools are placing tons of kids in AP courses that simply can't handle the rigorous coursework; however, teachers are retaining kids and passing them along since there is pressure to inflate grades. Most kids take the course but don't take the test because they know that they don't have a chance in hell in scoring a 3 or better and it costs $80 per test, $40 for the review book ...etc (multiply that by 116,614 and you'll understand why the College Board isin the education business). Many systems (I.e. you and me) subsidize the cost of the test for "high need" students. Based on the article, taking these courses doesn't really mean much to colleges or college success. Just another education cash cow that sounds great but doesn't mean much in the big picture. It's the teacher that makes the difference - not the name of the course.

Very well put JD1. It is so funny how people get a issue they are familiar with and can always find the flaw but will turn to the next article in the paper on a issue they are not familiar with and take it as gospel. In the end it is all about the money and the way of the world in the US is to first create the market/issue and then simply market to it. I know salemen that get it and do it but because most people are compartmentalized thinkers they never see how it applies to all things. Look how public schools are being forced in to erroding. Yes their is a purpose behind it, it creates a market for revitalization and the oh so fashionable special needs and feed the poor pro-scams. All sold to us who support it for the right reasons and then abused and oversold for financial reasons

Yesterday Obama gave speech that I thought was near flawless yet he did nothing more then refrain from up holding the principles of our country for the last 4 years all to come in and then sell us on our own ideals just before an election. That said I believe that is also true of every President and controling party not just Obama yesterday is just the most recent example. The system is broken and for something to get broken it had to work at one time. Now we are in the lets fix it phase historically
that stage is always a constant. for those seeking election. America needs at a minimum a third party. regardless of their platform . It is the only way to keep the two controlling parties in check. when the independent party and the Republican party take over then the Democratic party will be the way to go and so on, It must stay in flux that way to be effective in any real way. Forsure even the independent party and tea parties will be corrupted as they come into power and attract their on vermon

Is it possible that we can occasionally focus on the positive? Why does the headline of the article read, "County SAT Scores Lag Behind State, Country" instead of "County SAT Scores Gain 17 Points"? Or maybe it could have read, "County SAT Scores Jump 17 Points, State and Country Fall Behind", which might be a comfort to those who read the news for the negative factor. Let's try to find the positives :)

The SATs are almost worthless anymore. Many colleges have even stopped requiring them. The test has been so dumbed down over the years that almost anyone can do well on it.

At first glance, I thought that 1,476 was an amazingly good score. Back when I took the SAT, 1600 was the maximum. Then I saw that the maximum score is now 2,400... ouch.

Parkville Honey, It is going to change because that generation is dieing off. Many older people that do that (not all) will say I hope I live to see it and never realize they are the reason it doesnt. The good news is right now in Baltimore County they are down to less then 1/3 participation in local elections. A independent has appeal to 2/3 of the voting block and could pull rep and dem that domn't vote cross party to a neutral party. This is what I hope to do in my bid. Reps and Dems can't get any body on the outside off of the sofa and continue to pander to a 1/3 minority voting block that gets smaller each passing day

Tracey according to my son when he took the SAT in the writing section he anwsered the question in a very succinct way and he scored a 1860. He was encouraged to go back and take it again and in the writing section increase the volume of the essay. His second time he scored a 2130 and he told me that if he took it again he was certain he would score a 2300 or better. As it was 2130 was in the 93% tile. The whole education system has become a scam that places vaule on the cost of education not the quality of it. I have never figured out why Towson and so many other coleges allows the partying and outragious behavior of students until I realized it is money not education they seek. parents pay all this money for a piece of paper that cost more then any job it will get You. Invest the money in a trust and let your kid go to community college. Both move would show inteligence and understanding cost to value ratios applied in a real world economy.