Pitfalls of Using SAT Results to Compare Schools

We present Regular-SAT, an extension of Boolean Satisfiability basedon a class of many-valuedCNF formulas. Regular-SAT shares many properties with Boolean SAT, which allows us to generalize some of the best known SAT results and apply them to Regular-SAT. In addition, Regular-SAT has a number of advantages over Boolean SAT. Most importantly, it produces more compact encodings that capture problem structure more naturally. Furthermore, its simplicity allows us to develop Regular-SAT solvers that are competitive with SAT and CSP procedures. We present a detailed performance analysis of Regular-SAT on several benchmark domains. These results show a clear computational advantage of using a Regular-SAT approach over a pure Boolean SAT or CSP approach, at least on the domains under consideration. We therefore believe that an approach basedon Regular-SAT provides a compelling intermediate approach between SAT and CSPs, bringing together some of the best features of each paradigm.

Limited information exists about the correlation between clinical history and positive serum (SAT) and intradermal allergen test (IDAT) results in atopic dogs. To evaluate the correlation between clinical history and SAT/IDAT results in atopic dogs. Twenty-nine client-owned dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis with or without seasonal exacerbation were enrolled. IDAT, SAT (immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [MacELISA] with bromelain CCD inhibitor) and clinical information collected in a questionnaire regarding seasonal variations in pruritus affecting the dogs were performed on the same day. Two independent investigators (Inv A and Inv B) recorded IDAT results. The kappa coefficients agreement for positive IDAT scores between Inv A and B was substantial. The agreement between IDAT and SAT results at different ELISA absorbance units (EAU) cut-offs (>79 and ≥300) was slight and fair for both investigators, respectively. A higher agreement was observed between IDAT and SAT (≥300 EAU) than between IDAT and SAT (>79 EAU) with the exception of mite and flea allergens. There was a statistically significant association between clinical history and positive IDAT results for seasonal allergens (Inv A and Inv B, p = 0.016). There was no significance between positive SAT results and clinical history. Five (IDAT) and 12 of 13 (SAT) atopic dogs without clinical seasonal exacerbation showed positive results for seasonal allergens. The agreement between IDAT and SAT ≥300 EAU results was fair and the agreement between IDAT and SAT >79 EAU results was slight for all allergens. Only positive IDAT results significantly correlated with clinical history.

Public reports and comparisons of school SAT results are on the rise. This study uses a simple model of schooling to address two questions which are raised by school SAT comparisons. How are the demographic and academic characteristics of the student population in schools related to participation in the SAT? How are participation rates and the demographic characteristics of the sample of test-takers and of their schools related to SAT performance? School participation was associated with parent education, achievement, and English language fluency. The relationship between participation and parent education was curvilinear. School SAT scores were positively correlated with participation and parent education of the test-takers as well as with overall twelfth-grade school-average achievement and demographic characteristics. After adjustment for school demographic characteristics, participation rates were negatively associated with scores. School-average achievement was associated with SAT performance even after adjusting for demographic characteristics. These findings illustrate some of the complex relationships between the demographic characteristics of students and performance on the SAT which should be considered when making school comparisons.