The ® SAT Beyond Admission Midwest ACAC May 21, 2012 The College Board’s mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. We are a not-for-profit membership organization committed to excellence and equality in education. Question of the Day – May 21 Introduction Developed more than 80 years ago as a tool to help democratize higher education access for all students, the SAT ® has grown to become the world’s most widely used college entrance exam. The SAT continues to evolve and improve to meet the needs of a dynamic education landscape. However, the SAT has always served the primary mission of the College Board: to connect students to college opportunity and success. SAT® Reflects the diversity of the nation’s classrooms SAT participation closely reflects the distribution of minority students graduating from U.S. public schools. US Public School SAT Takers American Indian Asian 84% of SAT Takers report attending public school US Public School Graduates 1% 1% 9% 6% 14% 15% Black 17% 18% Hispanic 54% 59% White Other No Response 3% NA 2% NA Source: 2011 College-Bound Seniors Total Group Report; WICHE (2008) ® What is the SAT ? A Measure of College Readiness A Predictor of College Outcomes The SAT evaluates the cognitive tools necessary to succeed in college and beyond, including the ability to: Is a valid predictor of meaningful college outcomes on a student’s path to a college degree, including: – Think critically – Freshman Year GPA – Solve problems – 2nd, 3rd and 4th year GPAs – Communicate effectively – College Retention Every SAT® Knowledge and Skills Topic is represented in the Common Core State Standards The knowledge and skills covered on the SAT are directly linked to what students are learning in the classroom SAT Critical Reading Knowledge and Skills Topics SAT Mathematics Knowledge and Skills Topics Determining the Meaning of Words Number & Operations Algebra & Functions Author’s Craft Geometry & Measurement Reasoning and Inference Organization and Ideas Data, Statistics & Probability Understanding Literary Elements Problem Solving Representation Connections Communication SAT Writing Knowledge and Skills Topics Manage Word Choice and Grammatical Relationships Between Words Manage Grammatical Structures Used to Modify or Compare Manage Phrases and Clauses in a Sentence Recognize Correctly Formed Sentences Manage Order and Relationships of Sentences and Paragraphs Source: Vasavada, N., Carman, E., Hart, B. Luisier, D.; Common Core State Standards Alignment: ® Test Scores SAT Critical Reading Math CR 200–800 M 200–800 W 200–800 Writing (Subscores) (Essay 2–12 ) [1/3 of writing score] (Multiple-choice 20–80) [2/3 of writing score] Scoring Holistic Scoring of Essays – Two English teachers score essays on 1 to 6 scale – Third reader when they disagree (about 2% of time) – Quick, supportive read for impression of whole essay, compared to Scoring Guide and range-finder essays – Do not focus on grammar, spelling, essay length Correction for Guessing on Multiple Choice Questions – +1 point for correct answers; - ¼ point for incorrect answers – Avoids rewarding wild guessing (on average, you’d guess correctly 1 out of 5 times, gaining 1 point, losing four ¼-points, netting nothing) Scanning at Pearson; scoring at ETS – Every answer sheet scanned twice, acclimatized in between – Equating, to make sure scores mean the same thing from test to test The SAT writing section is driving a new focus on writing. A survey of teachers tells us that… 76% of English teachers report an increased focus on writing. 75% of English teachers reported that students’ writing skills have improved. 53% of those surveyed say the SAT writing test has helped drive this change. Good Writing Is Essential to College Success •Writing is an increasingly-necessary skill for high school, college and the world of work. •Like every other section of the SAT, the writing section tests what a student has learned in the classroom and how well they apply that knowledge. •The writing section requires students to think critically, articulate a coherent argument and express a point of view. Colleges and Universities Use the SAT… The SAT ® is taken by high school students throughout the United States and the world. Colleges and universities use SAT scores: – As one of several factors to make admission decisions – As a check against grade inflation and variation in high school programs – For class placement and scholarship opportunities Class of 2011 SAT Report 1,647,123 students in the class of 2011 took the SAT National Average Scores (All Schools) Critical Reading 500 Mathematics 515 Writing 491 Minnesota Average Scores Critical Reading 593 Mathematics 606 Writing 578 (7% participation rate) SAT Performance by Core Curriculum Participation 550 525 Mean Score +50 points +51 points +50 points Core curriculum is defined by at least four years of English, and at least three years of mathematics, three years of natural science, and three years of social science and history. 500 475 450 Critical Reading Mathematics Writing Reading Math Writing Core Curriculum 518 531 509 Non-Core Curriculum 467 481 459 Difference +51 +50 +50 Students Without Core Curriculum Reflects SAT takers in the class of 2010 who took the SAT through March 2010. Fairness – The SAT® is the most rigorously researched and designed standardized test in the world. Every question goes through many internal and external reviews, including a sensitivity review to avoid concerns with: • Gender • Ethnicity/Race • Disabilities • Controversial topics like war, violence and politics – Every question is field-tested in 50 states and eliminated if students from different groups perform inconsistently. Fairness While score gaps among groups do exist, the differences in SAT® subgroup performance reflect the unfortunate inequities in educational opportunities nationwide. With regard to socioeconomic status, research shows that “SAT retains virtually all of its predictive power when SES is controlled.” – While there is a relationship between SAT scores and SES (correlation of .42) … – There is a stronger relationship between SAT scores and college grades (correlation of .47) – After controlling for SES, SAT scores are still a strong and effective measure for predicting first-year college performance (correlation = .44) Extensive external research confirms that the SAT ® is not biased There is a substantial body of literature indicating that individual item bias has been largely mitigated in today’s admission test due to extensive external research and development of question items on both the SAT and ACT®. -NACAC Testing Commission Report -September 2008 College and University Enrollment Process Every college and university engages in a series of activities to attract a strong class of college-bound students to meet its enrollment objectives. Inspire Search Outreach to Research community and identify to support potential college collegeaspirations; bound inform students about institution Recruit Admit Recruit and pursue best qualified students Select applicants for admission based on enrollment objectives Yield Send admission offers and financial aid awards; perform outreach activities Most are familiar with the SAT® as one factor colleges and universities use to admit students. Enroll Enroll, register and place students Retain Graduate Manage and Develop and maintain manage student alumni persistence relationships College and University Enrollment Process In fact, colleges and universities use the SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ to support enrollment goals at many steps throughout the journey. Inspire Search Rich sources of student data that help colleges and universities target specific populations Recruit Admit Valuable for college and university recruitment efforts One of the most reliable and predictive factors in the college application process Yield Useful criteria to target scholarship awards and yield efforts Enroll Retain Supports colleges and universities to place students in their firstyear classes Consistent and strong predictors of college retention The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are used by admission and enrollment officers to impact decisions throughout the enrollment process. Graduate Search The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are rich sources of student data that help colleges and universities target specific populations to meet enrollment goals. – A truly college-bound population • – – Students taking the SAT make a conscious and active decision to demonstrate their college readiness Diverse populations • Geographic diversity: SAT students represent all 50 states and over 170 countries • Underrepresented minorities: over 40% of SAT takers in 2009 were from underrepresented minority backgrounds Finer biographical and college interest distinctions • Through the SAT Student Data Questionnaire (SDQ), students share information about their background, personal interests and college interests • Students taking the SAT Subject Tests signal areas of academic interest and strength Recruit The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are valuable for college and university recruitment efforts. Colleges and universities can: – Gauge the level of student interest • – Qualify their prospect pools • – Students who send their SAT scores to a college or university (especially as juniors and sophomores) demonstrate a strong interest in that institution Use specific performance and SDQ information to segment populations of interest Target students for specialized recruitment initiatives • Send invitations to visit the campus and/or participate in summer college programs • Provide additional information about the college and the application process • Set up student interviews and/or target high school visits Admit The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ continue to be one of the most reliable and predictive factors in the college application process. – The SAT combined score (CR+M+W) is a strong predictor of college success comparable to four years of high school grades. – SAT scores provide a deeper understanding of how students might perform in college beyond high school GPA alone. – SAT Subject Tests provide additional academic measures that are highly predictive of college success. Predictability of SAT Beyond GPA High School Grades Shifting Over Time Percentage of Students With GPA of A-, A or A+ Is Increasing 1990 1995 2000 2005 2009 2010 A+, A, A- 29% 34% 40% 41% 43% 44% B+, B, B- 53% 50% 47% 47% 46% 45% C+, C, C- 18% 15% 12% 11% 11% 10% Grades Are Increasing* 1990 1995 2000 2005 2009 2010 Art and Music 3.61 3.68 3.74 3.75 3.76 3.75 English 3.08 3.19 3.26 3.30 3.37 3.39 Foreign/Classical Languages 3.06 3.15 3.22 3.26 3.31 3.33 Mathematics 2.91 3.01 3.07 3.11 3.14 3.16 Natural Sciences 3.00 3.12 3.20 3.23 3.25 3.27 Social Sciences/History 3.15 3.26 3.34 3.36 3.39 3.40 Grade Average for All Subjects 3.09 3.20 3.28 3.30 3.32 3.34 *Based on four-point system, where A=100 Note: 1990 GPAs reflect both SAT Subject Test-takers and SAT® takers. GPAs for 1995-2010 reflect SAT® takers only. Validity: Indication of First-Year Performance Correlation* of SAT® and High School GPA to First-Year College GPA – The SAT used in combination with HSGPA is the best predictor of first-year college performance (.64 correlation). – SAT scores predict first-year college GPA as well as HSGPA (.56). – Writing section is most predictive of all sections (.53). Most students benefit from taking Predictor Correlation the SAT twice: once in the spring SAT Mathematics of their junior year, and again in .49 the fall of senior year. SAT Critical Reading .50 SAT Writing .53 Combined SAT (CR + M + W) .56 High School GPA .56 SAT Total + High School GPA .64 * Correlations corrected for restriction of range Correlation with Freshman GPA Correlation* with Freshman GPA for 150,000 students at 110 colleges & universities SAT Math .47 SAT Critical Reading .48 SAT Writing .51 SAT Total .56 High School GPA .54 SAT+HSGPA .62 *Correlations corrected for restriction of range What does a correlation of 0.56 mean? The SAT® provides a meaningful prediction of how students will perform in their first year of college. % Earning B or higher Freshman GPA of B or Higher 100% 89% 74% 80% 54% 60% 40% 20% 33% 18% 8% 0% 600-890 900-1190 1200-1490 1500-1790 1800-2090 2100-2400 SAT Scores: Mathematics + Critical Reading + Writing Yield The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are often used by colleges and universities as criteria to segment and target their admitted student population. Through scholarship awards, students receive monetary support for their education. – – Colleges and universities can: • Identify students for specialized recruitment efforts • Identify students for merit aid awards Students may also be eligible for external scholarships • State scholarship programs • Private scholarship programs Enroll The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are often used as tools to support colleges and universities to place students in their first-year classes. With the SAT, colleges and universities can: – Identify students who are academically prepared to enroll in entry-level English, writing and mathematics courses – Identify students who may be in need of remedial course work • Schools may recommend students to participate in bridge programs or enroll in remedial courses over the summer prior to enrollment Retain The results from numerous research studies examining the relationship between SAT® scores and college retention consistently reveal a positive relationship. As SAT scores increase, so does the likelihood of a student returning for the second and third year of college. Retain The SAT also predicts students’ likeliness to return their sophomore year. Percent Returning Sophomore Year 100% 96% 92% 90% 85% 79% 80% 70% 73% 64% 60% 50% 600-890 N=105 900-1190 N=3,172 1200-1490 N=32,393 1500-1790 N=63,319 1800-2090 N=40,276 2100-2400 N=8,734 SAT Score Band Source: Is Performance on the SAT Related to College Retention? 2009 The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are useful throughout the enrollment process Inspire Search Recruit Admit Yield Enroll Retain Graduate • The SAT continues to be important tools in admitting students to colleges or universities. • They are also important tools for helping colleges and universities attract and recruit students to their institutions. • Students who send their scores early to colleges and universities demonstrate a strong interest in those institutions and may be identified for special recruitment opportunities. • Even after admission, the SAT provides powerful information to aid in enrolling, placing and retaining students. What are SAT Subject Tests? What is assessed on SAT Subject Tests? The only national standardized college entrance exam of high school level content knowledge Students taking SAT Subject Tests are diverse Students taking SAT Subject Tests are high achieving and focused Thank you! Paul Schroeder Senior Educational Manager The College Board pschroeder@collegeboard.org Scott Smith Educational Manager The College Board scsmith@collegeboard.org Rachelle Hernandez Interim Director of Admissions University of Minnesota – Twin Cities rachelle@umn.edu Optional Slides New Resources for Students: Test preparation SAT Skills Insight MY SAT Online Score Report SAT Practice Tools At a Glance for Students Most SAT Practice Tools are FREE! Practicing for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests Planning for Test Day SAT Question of the Day – FREE My SAT Study Plan™ – FREE SAT Question of the Day Mobile App – FREE Answers Imagined – FREE How to Do Your Best SAT Practice Questions – FREE SAT Test Taking Approaches – FREE What to Bring SAT Subject Test Practice Questions – FREE SAT Essay Strategies – FREE Standby Testing SAT Practice Test – FREE SAT Subject Test Taking If You’re Absent Mathematics Review – FREE Approaches – FREE SAT Test Center Closing Effective Writing Review – FREE SAT Subject Test Recommended Skills Make-up Testing SAT® Skills Insight™ – FREE and Prerequisites – FREE Test Security and Fairness The SAT® Practice Booklet – FREE SAT Subject Test Web Resources – FREE Expanded Practice Questions Answer Explanations Recommended Preparation Official SAT Study Guide™: 2nd Ed. Official SAT Subject Test Study Guide™: 2nd Ed. Important Test Day information on: The Official SAT Online Course™ Helping Students Get Ready Models, Lesson Plans, and Strategies for: Argumentative writing skills School-based SAT Practice The Official SAT Teacher’s Guide™ ESL/ELL students Professional Development Workshops: SAT Skills Insight Animating Student Writing Holistic Scoring Workshop School-Based SAT Practice Writing Preparation for Educators of ESL/ELL Students 5 SAT scores are grouped into six “score bands” between 200 and 800. “Academic Skills” are skills typical of students who score within the selected score band. “Skill Examples” are actual SAT questions that illustrate the meaning of the skills. For each score band, academic skills are categorized by skill group. “Suggestions for Improvement” help students advance to a higher score band. My SAT Online Score Report: Overview My SAT Online Score Report is a free tool available to all students who take the SAT It helps students see the detail behind their individual score, get insight into college and career choices, and focus their preparation efforts for retesting The custom reports are posted on collegeboard.com about three weeks after each test date Score Choice Score Choice is an update to the SAT score reporting policy which is designed to reduce stress students experience on test day Students will have the option to choose the scores (by test date) that they send to colleges, universities and scholarship programs. Score Choice will be available to all students at no additional charge via the College Board website as well as Customer Service toll-free number.