OPINION: Equal chance at SAT success

March 13, 2014 From The Plattsburgh Press-Republican
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The iconic SAT has been intimidating and enabling students for almost 90 years.

It is one of the most reliable pathways into the college of one’s choice — and sometimes the biggest roadblock.

Now, SAT President and CEO David Coleman says they have engineered changes to make the test more current, useful and reflective of a student’s true chances for college success.

By now, most students, parents, teachers and administrators have read or heard about at least the most significant changes. The Press-Republican carried an article last Thursday that detailed some of those changes.

Starting in 2016, the controversial essay portion of the test will now be optional. Vocabulary words on the test will become more mainstream. The math segment of the test will focus on practical applications rather than a broad range of mostly outdated skills.

But among the most important improvements, as we see it, is that it attempts to give every student in America the same chance at success by offering free preparation exercises.

Up until now, SAT prep courses would run into the hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. Those courses and practice books and CDs comprised a multi-million-dollar industry.

Parents who could afford it would spare no expense in getting their kids crammed full of information and tips that would give them a leg up on SAT day.

Students of poor parents had no such access, unless teachers at their school offered free prep classes, which only a handful around here did.

Coleman has forged a relationship with online prep veteran Kahn Academy to provide, free of charge, a review program for all students. All students now can be equally well rehearsed for the test, if they make the effort.

The idea was to make sure no one could say wealthy parents would be buying their kids’ way into college in competition with the “unprepared,” less affluent students.

By creating a more straightforward test, the so-called tricks to taking the SAT are minimized, if not eliminated. As Coleman said, “If there are no more secrets, it’s hard to pay for them.”

An example is the essay portion of the test. Students would be typically required, in 25 minutes, to expound on a theoretical problem presented to them. Prep companies would counsel students how to have an essay almost memorized and tailor it to the question.

Now, the essay part will be voluntary and will be based on a more familiar, historically based topic. No more memorizing, no more tricks. More equal opportunity for all those who opt to write an essay.

Some students, frankly, are better at taking big tests than others, regardless of their intelligence or aptitude. And that raises a whole other question about whether colleges should focus so heavily on SAT scores in determining acceptance.

But, for now, the SAT has taken steps to remove or at least limit the influence of affluence.

The Plattsburgh Press-Republican, courtesy of the Associated Press

 

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