Improving SAT/ACT Scores

From US News and World Report:

7 Ways to Improve SAT and ACT Scores

January 18, 2011 10:03 AM ET | Lynn O'Shaughnessy | Permanent Link |

Across the country, high school juniors are getting ready to take the SAT and/or ACT. Here are seven ways for teenagers to improve their SAT and ACT scores or limit the damage of mediocre results:

1. Don't pick a test based on where you live: Students on the West and East Coasts typically take the SAT. In the Midwest and Rocky Mountain states, the ACT is dominant, while teenagers in the South tend to split their allegiance between the two. The worst thing you can do is take a particular test because your friends are.

[Get 9 tips for SAT success.]

2. Select the test that plays to your strengths: Teenagers who tend to earn high ACT scores have a strong memory, are fast readers, and can process information quickly. In contrast, students who ace the SAT tend to be strong readers, possess strong vocabularies, and enjoy test-taking strategies. You can learn more about the differences in the tests in this blog post that I wrote for CBS MoneyWatch. To obtain a more in-depth understanding of what the ACT and SAT measure, I'd suggest reading The Princeton Review's ACT or SAT? Choosing the Right Exam for You.

3. Take a practice test: You will form a better idea of how well you might fare on either test if you take sample SAT and ACT tests. Sample SAT tests are available on the College Board website. You can find ACT questions on the ACT website; in addition, for $24.95 or less online, you can buy a book from the testing company, The Real ACT Prep Guide, that contains three ACT tests.

4. Use online test prep services: There are lots of online resources that are free or modestly priced for prepping for the tests. Here are three that I like:Grockit, Number2.com, and ePrep.

[Get 6 tips for ACT success.]

5. Apply to test-optional schools: If your ACT and/or SAT scores aren't good, don't despair. There are more than 830 colleges and universities that are test-optional. These schools don't use test scores to admit substantial numbers of students. You can find out more about test-optional schools by visiting FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing.

6. Be skeptical of published test scores: Published test scores at test-optional schools can be inflated. Here's why: When a school is test-optional, the applicants with mediocre scores are the ones who won't submit them. At some colleges, 50 percent of the applicants may not reveal their scores. When lots of applicants don't turn in test scores, the averages will artificially rise. Keep this in mind when comparing your scores with a school's published averages—yours may be better than you think.

[Learn the 6 myths of standardized tests.]

7. Decide whether your SAT or ACT scores are better: If you end up taking the SAT and ACT, you probably won't know which scores are the best to submit to colleges. The highest ACT score you can earn is 36 versus 2400 for the SAT. To compare scores, use the SAT-ACT Concordance Tables on the College Board website.

Good luck!

Rock Hill Schools January Work Session Notes

There were two action items at the conclusion of an executive session for hiring and personnel issues. In a 6-0 vote, the board approved the administration's recommendation to hire Dr. Tom Sparks as an interim Northwestern High School Assistant Principal for the remainder of the year to replace Ozzie Ahl who will be taking the Rock Hill High School Principals position. In a 4-2 vote (Douglas and Reid against), the board voted to support the administration on an employee appeal. Dr. Sharp was  unable to attend the meeting.

All schools reported good attendance on Monday and most had outstanding MLK day activities. The schools are to be commended for making this a very meaningful and educational day.

The Central Child Development Center gave one of the best school presentations that has been presented to the board. With a blend of Teachers and Parents speaking in front of a series of videos showing pictures of the students, they captured the essence of the wonderful work going on at the school and the integration of technology in their day to day activities. The school of pre-K students, currently has a waiting list of over 40 students. Board member Walter Brown suggested the presentation should be made before our local state representatives and the State Superintendent of Education.

Our local paper, The Rock Hill Herald, had this to say about school calendar conflicts, "In any event, the board would have to come up with only two other days as make-up days to replace MLK Day and Memorial Day. That shouldn't be too difficult to do." Well, The Herald didn't attend the work session, and it was a lot harder than it looked. The board discussed two issues, next years calendar and what to do if there are more snow days this year (all the designated make-up days have been taken). First for this year. The options are:

• Go to school on Saturday
• Add an extra hour per school day for a week
• Go to school on Spring Break Days
• Add school days to the end of the year
• Use teacher furlough days (2 are left) as make-up days

The administration will collect  more information for discussion at the January Business meeting  Monday night. A proposed 2011-12 calendar was presented and shows no holidays being used as snow make-up days. The board pointed out this was the same situation last January and when furlough days were added, holidays had to be used. Therefore, the board asked to be presented a calendar which shows 5 furlough days and the resulting snow make-up days. The board was split as to whether it was important to try and avoid legal holidays. One new suggestion, which didn't get much support from the board, was to publish a 93 to 95 day calendar for the second semester which would essentially move the end of school back one week. This would ensure no holidays would be used regardless of furlough days.

The board heard a presentation on the amount of energy that could be saved ($500,000) in the district with the addition of an energy management system and energy manager. Conservative estimates are there would be a 400% return on the investment. The board will vote on the proposal at the January Business Meeting.

The board was presented with a copy of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the 2009-10 school year. You can see an online copy by clicking here.

The board heard reports on how complicated (and unnecessary) the calculations are for drop-out and graduation rates. 

The board heard a presentation on Rock Hill's Adult Education - Making a Difference in South Carolina.

The Final Frontier

Short Youtube Video on Rock Hill's Julie Marshall

Going To School On Dr. Martin Luther King Day

I know many of my readers have been waiting for my comments on going to school on Monday. It is the Elephant in the room. For some, this is a very emotional issue. It probably should be for everyone. For MLK day and for all the holidays we've chosen to use as make-up days. All the days should be significant for every American. I guess we were trapped inside the paradigm of doing things the way we've always done when we made the decision back in May. Deep down, we all hoped we'd get no snow. I hope in our discussions Monday night for next years calendar, we look for innovative ways to address this problem.


But, there are two sides to every story. I was copied on an email from one of our National Board Certified Teachers. It, more than anything I could say, demonstrates how one can turn a negative into a positive. I am sharing the email below:


I got really excited when I heard Monday that we would be in school on the MLK holiday because it will give teachers the opportunity to make sure ALL our students will be involved in meaningful activities that will help them understand Dr. King's legacy and hopefully make it a part of their own lives.  I am excited as a teacher and excited as an American. 
I got really "fired up" by watching the memorial service in Arizona Wednesday night—President Obama's deeply moving call to decency, as well as the thought of that precious child who died trying to take part in democracy. I knew in that moment my part in honoring her could be to see that my students spend the day Monday witnessing peace and democracy and seeing how Dr. King's dream has become a reality here in their own community, in their own lives.   
I immediately called Brother David Boone (Brother David is a member of the Catholic Oratory here in Rock Hill.)  Known as a civil rights icon throughout the state, he was a primary leader of the peaceful demonstrations at the lunch counter of McCrorey's Dime Store involving the Friendship Nine, as well as other activities in the 1960's.  He continues to work for peace and racial unity today throughout the Rock Hill community. He is also the kindest, most gentle person I have ever known.  
We wanted also to include an elected official, since elected leaders are part of our social studies curriculum this quarter, so I asked Mrs. Ann Reid to join us as well. (Mrs. Reid teaches at Clinton Junior College and also serves on the Board of Trustees of Rock Hill School District 3. An African American, she grew up in Rock Hill and remembers well the Civil Rights Movement activities that are so much a part of Rock Hill's history.) As for my own personal experience, I grew up as a white child in segregated Rock Hill, profoundly impacted by the experience of witnessing demonstrators holding signs on Main Street. It is an experience I have shared with my young students for the last 38 years. This Monday, it will be my honor and privilege to do so again.  
On Monday afternoon we will sit down with 63 second-graders to share with them how the people of Rock Hill, both black and white, worked through the struggles of segregation/integration to build a community that continues to honor and live Dr. King's ideals of equality, peace, cooperation, acceptance and respect. Our focus won't be so much on specific details of the history, as it will be on passing on to these children the charge of carrying these ideals into our community through the way they live their lives.  
On this special Monday, I can think of no better way to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to answer our President's call to unity, and to honor the memory of a child who lost her life looking for a way to learn about our country. 

Why Does Bryan Coburn Teach?

Bryan Coburn, the 2010 SC Teacher of the year, talks about why he teaches. From the Pearson Foundation

Rock Hill School Board To Discuss Next Year's Calendar on Monday

If you'd like to access a printable  copy of the proposed 2011-12 calendar, click here.

The meeting will be at the District Office beginning at 5:30 pm.