All county 11th-graders to take SAT

Palm Coast Observer
News

Get ready, Flagler County 11th-graders: You will all take the SAT this year.

Usually, only about half of each graduating class takes the test, Flagler County Schools Assessment and Accountability Coordinator Shawn Schmidli said in a presentation before the Flagler County School Board at its Tuesday meeting,

“That SAT test is oftentimes used to demonstrate college-readiness,” he said. “We do understand that some of those kids may not choose to go on to four-year college, but we do believe that those kids should still be provided with an opportunity to demonstrate college- and career-readiness.”

All students take the PSAT in 10th grade for programming and national-merit recognition; but in the past, students have paid $50 to take the SAT.

This year, it will be offered free on Feb. 26.

The board initially voted unanimously to have all junior take the test for free, but School Board Vice Chairwoman Colleen Conklin reversed her vote, saying she was concerned about the way that move might impact the district’s average SAT scores.

“When you look at the outcomes, where you have a high school where not all juniors take the SAT, and only those juniors are taking the SAT that are intending to go on to a college or university, the outcome tells a very different story than if you blanket your entire junior class,” she said.

Lower scores, she added, could drive away people interested in moving to the district.

“I am concerned about the final outcome and the picture it paints for those looking at and viewing our school district,” she said.

The district has already investigated the potential of a drop in average scores, School Board Chairman Andy Dance said.

The change wouldn’t affect school grades, the first things parents tend to look at when they’re investigating education quality in new cities or states before moving.