Tips for the Admissions Test ... to Kindergarten

Admissions tests are not just for College and for Graduate studies any more. Students have long been applying to prep schools using the SSAT and other tests. Kindergarten is not out of the reach and some are starting to offer test preparation services for even the youngest students.

The NY Times reports on this:

"Kayla Rosenblum sat upright and poised as she breezed through the shapes and numbers, a leopard-patterned finger puppet resting next to her for moral support....(read full article here)"

State rates teacher prep programs

"Out of the blue, the FCAT has a new job: measuring the programs across the state that produce teachers. (read full article here)"

Florida will start to try to rate teacher preparation based on the performance of their students on the FCAT. This will be state wide and will include Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County.

Should we 'sort' teachers?

The debate rages on about whether or not to rate teachers based on their students' performance. This letter to the editor criticizes the use of state exams, like the FCAT, as tools to measure outcomes.

The PSAT is the start of testing and college planning

For many students in South Florida the PSAT is their first exposure to standardized testing and the process of planning for a competitive college admissions environment.

"The idea behind the PSAT is fourfold. One, the student gets an opportunity to practice taking the SAT when the stakes are low. No colleges will ever see the PSAT scores. Two, the score report the student receives after taking the exam can serve as a study guide for the actual SAT exam. Three, the scores the student receives can be used as a benchmark for future performance as a way to assess the viability of prospective colleges. And four, the PSAT is co-sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to be used as a qualifier for its honors and scholarships (for juniors only)." (read full article here)

Is test prep worth your hard earned dollars?

In this difficult economic time, parents in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and all over Florida have to ask themselves this question - 'Is the cost of test preparation services worth it?' The short answer is yes. A rise of just a few points can make or break your admissions chances.

This article tells you what to look for in a test prep company.

Variability in standardized test preparation proctoring

This NY Times article looks at the proctors who actually administer standardized tests for ETS. If you or your student cannot remember what the proctor did during a test, then you know you probably had a good one. If you can remember that they were on their cell phone the whole time, then you probably had a poor one.

Lawmakers: GI Bill should cover test prep

Veterans may soon be eligible to have test preparation paid for by the GI Bill. This has been proposed by Florida lawmakers and could be very good news for veterans in Miami as well as all over South Florida.

Full article here.