SAT scores are down, and the NYT gingerly attributes the decline to “diversity.” Meanwhile, Maryland is troubled by the fact that so many of its students who have “mastered” their coursework still can’t manage to pass standardized tests — and so, in the future, those who flunk may be able to get their diplomas by completing special projects. Maybe in the future, the SAT can give students an option to skip the hard questions and instead submit dioramas depicting social-protest movements, algebra-themed art collages, and original poetry.