Pros and Cons of Cutting Federal Testing

Should the U.S. Keep Federal Testing for Students

There has been a lot of discussion revolving around the new ESEA and the dramatic change to the old No Child Left Behind Act.  One of the most prominent arguments revolving around this debate is the discussion whether federal standardized tests should be cut from schools nationwide.  There are parents, teachers, school board members on each side of the argument.  Recent opinion polls have about 60% of parents voting to cut federal testing. 

There are good arguments for each side with pros and cons for each.  Here are some pros and cons for the argument of cutting federal testing to help you decide which side you fall on. 

Pros:

1. More Teaching Time; Less Test Prep time

One major argument for why federal testing should be cut is that it takes up valuable class time to focus on test prep.  The federal Department of education says that it requires a total of 17 standardized test; with added district testing, students on average take 113 standardized tests between pre-K and 12th grade (source).  Proponents argue that if less time was focused on preparing for tests, children would have more time to focus on learning more useful skills. 

2. Testing Puts Unneeded Pressure on Young Children

Many parents are worried about the stress that testing puts on their children.  Test taking is a stressful environment, especially when a student doesn't feel prepared.  Parents are worried that this added stress is harmful for their children's well-being. 

Cons:
1. Testing Gives Insight in How to Improve
Some teachers believe that schools benefit from the competition of student testing.  They are able to see where the school is lacking in education in order to improve for the following year.  They are also able to compare with other schools which gives them insight in how to continue to improve.  Testing also gives educators a way to show that students are in fact learning.  

2. Transparency to State Government 
Testing also gives information to the state education departments.  Some argue that this insight allows the government to intervene in the poor performing schools, which has been a cause for improvement (source).  As Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of The Leadership Conference explains, cutting federal involvement in schools "would send us back to a dark time in our nation when schools across the country, operating with no federal oversight, could freely ignore the needs of disadvantaged students." (source)

There are good arguments for each side.  Tell us what you think in the comments.

Government Program NCLB Act Being Replaced By ESEA?

ESEA Replacing NCLB "No Child Left Behind"

Recently the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest teachers' union, has launched a $500,000 ad campaign urging lawmakers to reach a deal on the proposed ESEA legislation.  The new ESEA (Education and Secondary Education Act) calls for a replacing of the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. This new ESEA will focus on more childhood education, resources for poorer students, less standardized testing, and equity in government funding to schools.  More information can be found here.

One major goal of the new ESEA is to close the achievement and opportunity gaps for students.  The act emphasizes improving education for children living in poverty, students with disabilities, and English-language learners.  The new ESEA has garnered a great amount of support from teachers, prinicipals, and parents, but we question if this act will actually close the gap between impoverished/English-language learners?

With more resources and funding given to schools to support less-fortunate students, the gap between students will most definitely begin to close, but we ask for how long?  Once the gap in between the impoverished and wealthy students closes in, it is likely the wealthier students will use their economical advancements to raise the gap again.  No matter how much funding and focus is given to the poorer students, the wealthier students will still have the advantage of seeking out more help through outside resources. 

The ESEA, if passed, will be a great step in providing better education for American students with its focus on smaller class sizes and less prep time for standardized testing.  It is unlikely though that it will be able to close the achievement gap between students. 

We at Tried & True Tutoring believe that every student should have an opportunity to succeed no matter what their financial or social background.  This is why we provide services to students of all ranges of economical and social backgrounds.  We provide free online practice exams and offer a wide array of classes that suit most students needs.  For more information on our free services, check out our website.

We look forward to helping each student succeed and giving opportunities for all!

Your SAT Results Are In - How Does Your Score Compare?

Your SAT Results Are In - How Does Your Score Compare? Your SAT results are available online today, if you took the SAT on March 14th. Your score will be out of a maximum of 2400, broken into the 3, 800-point sections: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. Add these three scores together to get your total score. The nation's average is approximately 1500. Highly competitive schools will want you to score around a 2000. Where does your score compare?  Our goal at Tried & True Tutoring is to make sure that you do your absolute best on the SAT to increase the likelihood of acceptance into the universities and colleges you want to attend. Did your scores come back as expected? Are they good enough? Let's discuss these scores and what they mean for you as you enter your senior year and apply to colleges. Schedule a free, informative and in-depth meeting with one of our SAT experts to discuss your score report. You can click here to be directed to our website where you can schedule a meeting time, you can call us at 747-444-9907, or you can simply reply to this e-mail to request a time to talk with us. We hope to hear from each and every one of you. We want to look at your score report, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and give you advice that will guide your studying in preparation for the exam if you decide to take it again. Remember, most students take the exam 2-3 times, so if this is your 1st or 2nd time taking it, feel free to take it again to improve your score. If you want to improve your score 200 points or more, check out our 1-on-1 tutoring options. If you want to improve your score 100-150 points, check out our class options. Congratulations on completing your SAT exam. We hope to hear from each and every one of you, whether you want college advice, studying tips, or tutoring to increase your score to its maximum potential. Or, maybe you just want to tell us how great you did on the test - we'd love to hear about that too!

New PSAT Practice Test Released

New, Redesigned PSAT Test Released Today

New Redesigned PSAT Practice Test Released Today

College Board, makers of the SAT and PSAT exams, finally released a full-length practice test for the redesigned PSAT exam. Finally, current sophomores who want to begin their SAT preparation for next year can have more clear guidelines on what the test will actually look like.

Many students are debating between taking the SAT or the ACT. Our recommendation is to take the PSAT, then take a free, full-length practice test on our website for the ACT, and we'll compare the PSAT scores with the ACT scores. At that point, we can determine which test you are better fit for, and you can focus all of your energy on the one exam.

For tips, tricks, and strategies to prepare for your SAT or ACT, give us a call for a free consultation and we'll answer all of your questions. We are credentialed, SAT/ACT experts who score a 2400 on the SAT and a 36 on the ACT, so we can help you achieve your maximum potential. When you call us, you won't be directed to someone who doesn't know a thing about the tests either - we are small enough, where we can take your calls personally. So contact us, you'll be happy you did.

Find out about the new PSAT and download the full-length practice PSAT here.

Taylor Swift Calls Out Princeton Review For Misquoting Lyrics

So basically, Taylor Swift called out the Princeton Review after one of the students studying for the SAT noticed that the song lyric used in their "Pronoun Errors" grammar section misquoted one of her lyrics.

The lyric reads in the book: "Somebody tells you they love you, you got to believe 'em"

however, the actual lyric is: "Somebody tells you they love you, you're gonna believe them".

Taylor then ended up commenting on the student's tumbler page saying, "Not the right lyrics at all pssssh You had one job, test people. One job."

Tried & True Tutoring would never make that mistake. Instead, we have our own Taylor Swift question, that doesn't misquote anything - it's just way
better, in every way possible.

Our Taylor Swift Problem Is Way Better, Don't You Think?

Now this problem is much more difficult, and it actually teaches students how to succeed on difficult math problems on the SAT. This is a section in our curriculum where we teach students how to simplify seemingly complex math problems with variables in the answers into easy problems which can be solved in just a few steps. If you want to know how to do this problem, contact us, and we'll tell you. We at least owe that to the community. Princeton Review, step your game up!

7 Things Changing on the New SAT in 2016

Last spring College Board President David Coleman announced there would be a major overhaul on the upcoming 2016 SAT. The company acknowledged the criticism they have faced in the past about the disconnect between what high school students are taught and what is on the SAT exam.  Coleman stated, "No longer will the SAT stand apart from the work of teachers in their classrooms."  Whether this declaration will be accurate is yet to be seen.  My assumption is the SAT is trying to be more like the ACT in hopes to stay competitive, since the ACT has recently surpassed the SAT as the most widely taken college entrance exam.

College Board has recently released examples of the redesigned questions; from this we can gain some insight into the redesigned exam. Also, the College Board will supposedly release new, full-length practice tests on June 30th, 2015. This will allow high school sophomores to begin their preparation for the next SAT, since they will be the first to see the new changes. There are 7 major known changes on the new SAT exam:

1. Common Core

The redesigned SAT will be more aligned with Common Core curriculum standards.  Common Core standards have been adopted in 43 states and the District of Columbia.  These standards provide a consistent framework for educators across the country to allow all students to have the same education. The Common Core standards were developed to help students succeed in college, career, and life no matter where they live.  The new SAT will draw on the principle learning practices of the Common Core Standard in hopes that the exam will be more adept at measuring what students actually learn in the classroom.  

2. The Essay

The SAT essay, which now counts for 30% of a student's SAT writing score, will become optional with the new SAT.   Some colleges and school districts will require the essay to be completed, but overall it is not mandatory.  The formatting of the essay will also be different.  Students will now have to analyze a passage and explain how the author builds an argument to persuade the audience.  This is different from the current SAT essay that requires the student to make their on argument about a topic. 

3. Vocabulary

SAT has long been known for its use of obscure vocabulary words, which required students to spend countless hours studying flashcards of vocabulary words.  The new SAT will focus on more relevant words.  Students will not have to memorize vocabulary, but will instead need to interpret words based on context in a passage.  For example, the word "intense" could be used to describe a person's emotions, but it could also be used to describe something that is concentrated; students will have to use context clues from the passage given to decide which definition is suited in that context. 

4. Evidence

The current SAT has students select from multiple choice answer keys to demonstrate their understanding of the reading texts.  With the new SAT, students will also be asked to support their answers by citing specific examples in the reading passages. 

5. Math

The new math sections will focus on fewer topics that students will need to know more in-depth.  There will be fewer geometry and trigonometry questions and more Algebra and Advanced Math problems.  There will also be more Problem Solving and Data Analysis problems; students will need to use math to solve problems in Science, Social Sciences, and Career contexts. There will also be Math sections of the new SAT that will not allow calculators. 

6. No Wrong Answer Penalties

The current SAT deducts 1/4 of a point for every wrong answer.  This has encouraged students to skip harder questions on the SAT in order to not be penalized.  The new SAT will no longer deduct points from wrong answers.  This change will encourage students to give their best attempt on every problem. 

7. Smaller Scores

The current SAT has scores out of 2400, 800 for each of the three sections: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing.  The new SAT will have scores out of 1600, based on 800-point Math and Reading/Writing sections with the essay being optional.  

We will have all of the new information available to you as it becomes available to us. As always, we are here to help you get to your ideal college, and we will provide you with all of the best support to help you maximize your SAT and ACT scores, complete college applications, financial aid applications, and the like,  to ensure that you achieve your academic goals.

5 Things All College-Bound Juniors Need To Do Right Now

I remember being a junior in high school. I know I needed to keep my grades up if I wanted to be able to hang out with my friends, just because those were the rules of my parent's house.

Things other than academics tend to be more important in the mind of a 16-year-old. Things that seemed to matter was, “who is dating who”, video games, and sub-woofers so loud i’m fortunate that I didn’t lose my hearing.

I wish I had some guidance when I was that age - my parents would tell me to get good grades - which I did and graduated at the top of my class. They didn’t know about college applications, and neither did I - so, I filled out the common app for UC schools, was admitted into all of them and chose UCLA, due to proximity. I wish I had explored other options, other states, or even other countries. My lack of knowledge, and lack of motivation to acquire that knowledge pigeon-holed me to end up at UCLA, albeit a great school, but right in my own backyard. I never had the proper guidance to see what else was out there.

Now that I’m old and wise, I can be one of those people who try to steer students in the right direction moving forward. Let me give high school juniors 5 tips that will increase your likelihood of a successful, happy life.

1. Take a rigorous course load

If you feel that your regular chemistry class is easy, and you have an A, ask to be moved to honors or AP chemistry. Same with Calculus, Physics, History, English, and any other classes available that are AP or Honors. Rigor of schedule is the number one factor universities look at when determining to admit you into their schools. Don’t take the easy way out - if it’s too easy, why are you there? The harder, the better. You will learn more and excel past your peers - this is what “success” is anyway, right?

2. Maintain a High GPA

Now your schedule is rigorous - great! Colleges want to see what you can perform well in those classes against the smartest students in the school. If you can show them A’s in the hardest classes at the schools, you’re going to be at a huge advantage when applying to your schools of choice.

3. Create a College Choice List

Choosing the college that is your best fit can be overwhelming - there are so many great schools, but it’ s important to identify one that meets your academic, financial and social needs. When deciding what school you want to apply to think of a few things:

1. Do you want to be close to your family? (In-State School)

2. What kind of weather do you like?

3. How much money is set aside for your 4-years of college tuition?

4. What type of career are you interested in pursuing post-college?

5. Do you like big, medium, or small classes?

6. Do you want to be on a diverse campus or surrounded by people with similar cultural backgrounds?

7. Do you have any special need or are accommodations needed?

8. What is your GPA, SAT Score, or ACT Score?

These are just a few questions you want to ask yourself before making a college list of schools to apply to. When you come up with answers for this, contact us to set up a free consultation with a college admissions consultant, and figure out a list of 5-10 schools that are perfect for you to apply to. A few reach schools and a safety school will be in there as well.

4. Do community service related to your career goals

When you go to college - it’s a community. The college wants the entire student body to enjoy their experience, so they want people there who positively contribute to that society as a whole. 

Today’s students are perceived as selfish by admissions personnel - students are absorbed in their iPhones, twitter, instagram, and constantly doing other narcissistic activities. Many students have forgotten about the society around them which is an unattractive quality to university admissions personnel. Colleges want to admit students who are aware of the world around them and want to contribute to society in a positive way.

One way to gain an advantage when trying to get admitted into the university of your choice is to do unpaid community service related to the career goal that you have. This will show universities that you have a passion for something, are pursuing it now for free because of your love for it, and it is giving back to the community in a way where you are positively contributing to the culture of your community. 

5. Begin preparation for your SAT and ACT

First off, you should know that universities throughout the country will accept either the SAT or ACT, so you don’t need to do both (unless you are applying for the ivy league schools). You will want to determine which test is right for you by taking a full-length practice test for each, comparing the results, and deciding which test to focus on from there. Also, these practice tests will help identify your weaknesses and strengths so you know specifically what to study during your preparation for the test.

Most juniors take the test for the first time in February (ACT) or March (SAT). Proactive students will take it for the first time in December (SAT or ACT). In order to access our free, full-length diagnostic tests, click SAT or ACT. Once you complete the test, you will get a full-length score report with detailed analysis within 1-business day.

Once you’ve made an informed decision on what test you will prepare for, you will want to purchase or rent some study materials. You can study on your own, have a 1-on-1 SAT tutor work with you, or you can attend an SAT or ACT class (full-length or weekend boot camp). We have options for classes all over the country, and for the most part, I teach them personally. If you want more information on upcoming classes click here. 

So juniors, follow my advice and you will have success now and give yourself an opportunity to continue to succeed after you complete college work. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at marc@triedandtruetutoring.com. Thanks for reading!