HCPSS Insight: The Redesigned SAT, Oct. 28

October 7th, 2015

Watch how the SAT is changing to remain a highly relevant measure of college success by better reflecting what students are being taught in today’s classrooms. Our panel of experts answered questions about the changes coming to the College Board SAT test in March 2016.

Panel included:

• Stacy Caldwell, College Board Vice President, College Readiness Assessments
• Henry R. Johnson, Jr., Ed.D., MSDE Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning/Chief Academic Officer
• Kami Wagner, HCPSS Resource Counselor

Topics:

• 2:14 – What are the key differences between the old SAT and redesigned SAT?
• 6:04 – Is the redesigned SAT tied to the Common Core Standards?
• 6:56 – How has the redesign impacted the PSAT and how have these changes helped students use the PSAT to prepare for the SAT?
• 9:12 – The new PSAT was recently administered. Has there been any feedback locally or state-wide?
• 10:24 – When are the PSAT and SAT administered?
• 10:48 – How long does it take to complete the PSAT and SAT?
• 11:20 – Why is the essay component of the SAT optional?
• 14:38 – How students preparing for the optional essay?
• 16:13 – What will the writing prompts look like?
• 17:07 – Given the emphasis on statistics and data analysis, and the absence of geometry, is there any thought to adjusting the curriculum that we’re teaching?
• 18:13 – Can a student take the redesigned SAT more than once? If so what is the benefit?
• 20:21 – Will colleges super-score (take the best scores for each section) the redesigned SAT?
• 21:41 – Recognizing that the redesigned SAT has less of a focus on geometry, has the state considered altering COMAR’s language for the current geometry course?
• 22:47 – Is there any connection between PARCC and the redesigned SAT?
• 23:13 – How are counselors preparing students for the redesigned SAT?
• 26:07 – How is College Board’s relationship with Khan Academy helping to prepare students for the SAT?
• 28:53 – Which SAT should current seniors take?
• 29:57 – Are there any colleges that are only accepting scores from the new or redesigned SAT?
• 31:32 – Why were changes made to the SAT?
• 32:17 – How many total point will make up the SAT score?
• 32:55 – What can parents take from the SAT score reports and PARCC score reports to analyze the areas that their student should focus in order to better become college-ready?
• 35:44 – Is there an unscored section of the redesigned SAT?
• 37:12 – What is the process for applying and qualifying for a fee waiver?
• 40:00 – Will the reports that students, counselors, and system receive be different?
• 41:15 – Will the SAT continue to be paper/pencil or will it move towards an online format?
• 43:57 – Why won’t the old SAT be offered through the current school year for current juniors who already took the SAT and plan to take it one or two more times?
• 45:58 – How is the redesigned SAT different than the ACT?
• 47:09 – Will the essay score be out of 800 possible points?
• 47:28 – What are “relevant words in context”?
• 49:02 – Are we doing anything specifically to prepare students for these new “words in context”?
• 49:46 – What are some prerequisite courses that students can take in school to help prepare them for the SAT?
• 51:45 – Will there be any digital tools available such as calculators and highlighters if the SAT moves to a digital version?
• 52:38 – Is science, history and social studies included on the redesigned SAT?
• 53:16 – Will test-takes need to have any prior knowledge of the founding documents that will be included in the redesigned SAT?
• 54:56 – The new test claims to use text from the “ongoing Great Global Conversation about freedom, justice, and human dignity”. Will there be a politically biased slant to these topics?
• 55:34 – What are some of the things that we are offering in Howard County – and beyond – to help students prepare for the redesigned SAT?