It is SAT testing season and students across the nation are putting in their final days preparation.
Despite the fact many schools making score submission optional in application, students are still signing up to take the test. The College Board, a non-profit that administers SAT data, has data showing that 1.5 million students in the class of 2021 took at least one test.
Khan Academy founder Dr. Sal Khan.[Students]Know what gives them the best chance of getting there [to college,]Khan Academy, founded by Dr. Sal Khan, is a free online resource for education that is open-access and free of charge. According to my knowledge, the percentage of students admitted is approximately 5%. [to a college]The application rate for those without SAT/ACT scores will be much lower than those with them. This is because universities require some indication of readiness.
The University of California made a decision to eliminate SAT and ACT submission requirements. It will also create its own assessment test if it is unable find a suitable replacement. Many schools still rely on SAT/ACT scores to determine college readiness. Scholarship opportunities are contingent upon a minimum SAT score.
The SAT and other entry exams have been criticized as increasing the socioeconomic inequality in higher education. Students with more resources are more likely attend high schools with good facilities and to have tutors to help them prepare for the test. 60% of students will take the test during SAT School Days. Schools transport students to testing centers and then give a portion of their day for the test. 40% are dependent on other methods of access.
It’s still a debated question whether the SAT hinders access for students who are underprivileged, have fewer opportunities, less exposure college, or schools with lower resource schools. Dr. Anthony Lising Antonio is an associate professor at Stanford Universitys graduate education school.
The College Board announced that the SAT would soon be digital to even the playing field. The SAT will be administered digitally starting in 2023. The College Board also reduced the time required to complete the test from three hours down to two hours. This was done by changing the length of the passages students must read, and only asking one comprehension question following each paragraph.
Antonio said that digitization can improve equity in some ways, particularly for students from rural or remote areas, who often have to drive hours to get to testing sites. However, inequity continues to exist in other ways.
Overall, making it easier to take the test, or shortening it so it was less taxing on the brain and body, doesn’t address the main criticisms regarding test bias as well as the high correlation between test scores and socioeconomic factors. Antonio stated that these things won’t change with the introduction of online administration.
Antonio stated that he is concerned about the possibility of subjective elements, such as letters or recommendation, being given more weight in places that do not submit test scores. He cited Emerging researchHe co-authored an essay that shows how socio-economic status can affect essay content.
Antonio said that it is not clear how these things are evaluated and what they mean for college readiness. This leaves applicants in a position where they are unable to understand how to put together the application to their best advantage.
Kent Hopkins has been involved with ASU admissions for nine years. ASU, along with the two other Arizona state universities, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University, offer test options. ASU does NOT require essays for admission.
Hopkins said that tests are part of a learning portfolio. I believe that making tests optional helps students focus on what I consider the most important, which is curriculum. You can do your college prep and then take the test to see how you are doing. It’s value add.
ASU works with local K-12 programs in order to help high school students prepare for college. ASU admits students with a minimum 3.0 GPA, who have completed required high school courses. Hopkins stated that ASU offers ways for students to connect with opportunities that will increase their college readiness. This includes online courses and introductions into the Maricopa County Community College system.
Kent R. Hopkins, Enrollment Strategy & Operations at Arizona State UniversityHopkins stated that retention studies show that high school students who are above average and have a strong college curriculum will retain more. We want [our students]They will be more successful in university if they complete the foundation in highschool.
Khan Academy aims to build a strong foundation. Although the Academy’s reach is limited by internet and broadband access, it offers students an opportunity to engage with interesting and complimentary resources to enhance their high school education. The Academy’s SAT prep course is available to students as many times as they need to be prepared to take the higher-stakes test.
Khan said that the focus of Khan Academy Kids is to help children get started early and build strong foundations. Khan Academy Kids apps are a safety net. It can be used in conjunction with K-12. Students can grow more if they put in 45 minutes per week.
Khan said that standardized tests were initially designed to increase college acceptance beyond the elite. Although the SAT and other assessments may not be perfect, they are useful data tools that can help students determine where they need to improve their skills.
Khan said that we should not focus on the messengers. People with the means will find ways of signaling that their children are ready for college when you take them away. If you remove options, those without means have fewer options.
Liann Herder can be reached at [email protected].
