Good news for SAT testers

A recent article in US News discusses the changes to the SAT. http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2008/06/24/kids-can-pick-which-sat-scores-a-college-sees.html

I like the new change to the College Board SAT. Allowing students to chose which scores to send will be a great advantage for all students, particularly the determined test-taker. It is very stereo-typical to assume that upper-middle class kids have tons of free time on their hand, as they don't need to work and that they can all afford test prep. Many college-bound students not only understand the importance of a job for experience, but they also take pride in knowing that they are helping to pay for some of their personal expenses, college expenses, and even support of their family.

I have seen students take the SAT as many as 8 times! These students were not sitting home in their middle upper class home with a private tutor. They were involved in numerous sports, activities, volunteer work and yes, they too held a job. With each test, they became more comfortable with the test format and allotted time; a testament to the belief that test anxiety does play a role in scores. The dilemma came when they had to report both good and bad scores, as retaking a test, even with test prep, does not guarantee a better score.

I find it interesting when I hear people talk about removing test scores, as they don't predict college GPA. An experienced secondary educator and administrator, I feel GPA's are one of the MOST unreliable factors we have in the admission process. A standardized test score is exactly that, standardized. It is normed to represent the population. There are no points taken off of an SAT for misspelled words, writing on the wrong side of the page, forgetting your heading or any of those other teacher quirks. Most importantly, student behavior, absences, or tardies are NEVER a factor in an SAT score.

GPA's however, are based solely on a teacher's ability to appropriately assess as well as the guidelines, if any, of the school they work in. Worse, when you look across the country, and factor in all the private schools, you will NEVER be able to find a state or even a district that implements the same grading practices. That goes from grading scale to how each school, and even individual teacher, determines a grade and assesses progress.

The college admissions process is not simple. Standardized test scores are necessary. They tell part of a story, just as GPA's do. I understand that the College-Board is in the business of making money. But under NCLB, schools are now in the business of constantly showing students are making good grades, taking rigorous course (AP exams are a factor), and insuring all students are proficient on yet another standardized test measure. There is a great deal of grade inflation going on, just as there is a great deal of grade deflation.

Nothing in the admissions process is an exact science, the best way to admit students is to look at a complete portfolio of a student. This includes test scores, GPA's, activities, and life experience.