Monitoring SAT Participation and Performance

1. Monitoring SAT Participationand Performance

2. Understanding Options • North Carolina requires districts to administer PLAN to all 10th graders and • ACT to all 11th graders • WorkKeys is administered to CTE students in grade 12 • Students who choose to take the SAT do so on their own. They need to understand options and be prepared.

3. CMS • CMS administers PSAT in 10th and 11th grades. • With the PLAN and PSAT scores, students can make strategic decisions about how to prepare for college admission tests.

4. CMS SAT/ACT Performance Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing SAT Participation Percentage

5. It is critical to understand how scores are reported in order to monitor SAT improvement.

6. SAT QUIZ • 1. When scores are announced in the fall for your school’s SAT performance for 2012-13, it will include the data for all students (9-12) who took an SAT at your school this year. • FALSE: The 2012-13 scores will only be for students who graduated on time in June at your school.

7. SAT QUIZ • 2. When scores are announced in the fall for your school’s SAT performance for 2012-13, it will be each student’s highest SAT scores that will be averaged into the overall school score. • FALSE: The overall school score reflects the average of the last set of scores a student, takes not necessarily the highest.

8. SAT QUIZ • 3. In order for a student to obtain a “perfect” score on the SAT, he/she must answer all questions. • FALSE: A perfect score can be obtained by skipping certain questions and not being penalized for missing “pilot” questions.

9. SAT QUIZ • 4. A student who does not graduate from your school can still impact your school’s SAT score. • TRUE: A student can miscode a school or have graduated from another school and still show up in your school’s data.

10. How Student Scores Potentially Affect a School’s (North Meck’s) Composite Score

11. How do you structure your instructional program to prepare students for success on the SAT? • Continued acceleration of students into Honors and AP classes • Strong commitment to a rigorous vocabulary, reading, and writing programs • Quality SAT Prep class and support system • Individualized student preparation TCA Test Prep provided by CMS for all students

12. Managing SAT Preparation to Increase Scores • It is critical for principals and school teams to regularly monitor SAT results to provide proactive assistance and improve student scores

13. If you want to avoid this: SAT Participation SAT Performance OR SAT Performance SAT Participation

14. Table Talk • What process does your school currently use to monitor SAT participation and performance once scores arrive from the latest SAT?

15. A suggested process might look like: • Principal informs Testing Coordinator that the SAT data have been received, and should be updated on a school database. • Testing Coordinator exports data to an Excel spreadsheet and generates the necessary reports. • Scores are given to designated staff members to enter into an SAT data monitoring tool. • Testing coordinator meets with principal to discuss data.

16. A suggested process might look like: • Principal meets with key school staff (counselors, resource teachers) to address individual student needs. • Personalized plans are created to maximize each student’s scores. • Staff is mindful of registration deadlines for the SAT and encourage identified students to sign up.

17. Senior SAT Time Line and Implications

18. Specific SAT Reports for Seniors • Because of the importance of senior scores, there are several reports principals should use to monitor SAT participation and performance. • These reports should be generated after each administration of the SAT.

19. Report #1:Updated SAT Average Score –Side-by-side comparison between current SAT data and previous years’ data • This report should compare SAT results from specific months to the same months in previous years. • From this report a principal will be able to see if the SAT average is falling below the desired target or if participation rates have fallen below the previous year’s and additional students need to be recruited. Latest SAT scores are extremely important because a student’s last test is the one College Board reports out.

20. Report #2: Report of students whose SAT performance has dropped • Because the last test is the one reported by College Board and may be used by some colleges for admission purposes, this report will be important to identify students who need to retake the SAT. • If the student has taken the SAT only once, the score should be compared to the highest PSATs of that student to see if taking the test again should be a consideration.

21. Student A has taken SAT three times and scored the best on the most recent test. The PSAT data do not indicate any obvious need to retake. • Student B has taken SAT three times and has a 150 point decrease from the highest subtest with decreases in math and reading. Student should retake test with support. • Student F has taken SAT two times and has scored best on the most recent test, but the PSAT data indicate this student could perform better if retaken with support.

22. Report #3: Report of students who have been targeted to take the SAT but did not take the test • Some students with good PSAT scores and in rigorous courses will tell their counselors they are signing up for SAT but then never take it. • Another aspect of this report is to identify students the school had good reason to believe were taking the SAT but failed to use the appropriate school code.

23. Information from Students on Why They Did Not Take the SAT

24. Report #4: Review of the current SAT score report for “surprises” and anomalies and be proactive in trying to find out who will be taking the next SAT administration • “Surprises” are students the school had no indication were taking the SAT at a given administration, and therefore was not in a position to offer assistance. • Remember, the SAT score follows the student if they took it in CMS. • Know the data on your new students.

25. How Do We Help Our Students Maximize Their SAT Scores? • Guide students about when to take their first SAT and when/if to take the SAT. • Ensure that students • Understand the SAT • Build on their weak skills • Review test-taking strategies

26. Collect data Schoolwide awareness SAT Success for all students Proactive one on one counseling Interventions and supports - “Triumph Test Prep”

27. Key Messages to Students • Never take the SAT unprepared. • Take the SAT with the idea of only having to take it one time, but realize multiple attempts may be necessary. • Review PSAT and PLAN results to be strategic about when to retake the SAT. • Do not be deceived by companies and people that guarantee a particular score or increase in an individual’s performance. • Inform the school of your intention to take a specific month’s SAT. • Consider the ACT as a college entrance exam option.

28. SAT vs. ACT Comparison

29. Implement Interventions to Help Students Achieve the Best Score Possible • Offer an effective in-school SAT/ACT prep class as part of a student’s schedule • Provide after-school and weekend “crunch” sessions • Create “SAT Program” sessions • Pull-out sessions to increase widespread use of “TCA Test Prep” • Establish an SAT/ACT resource center • Hire specialists to run SAT/ACT seminars • Provide mock exams • Individualize conferences with juniors regarding post-graduation plans • Pay a portion or all of the SAT registration fees if needed • Target recruitment and encouragement on a student-by-student basis

30. Summary By creating “well-defined, well-designed, and well-deployed” college admissions test plans and guidance, schools will be in a better position to reach targets and serve all students.