The SAT is a requirement for many colleges and universities around the U.S., and Idaho is giving high school juniors the chance to participate in Idaho SAT School Day, April 17, letting students take the SAT for free.
The SAT is the nation’s oldest college exam entrance exam and most thoroughly researched in order to encourage students to go on to higher education, according to the Idaho State Board of Education.
The ISBOE said more than 160,000 high school juniors participated in Idaho SAT School Day in 2012, and more students than ever before entered their senior year of high school with a key college admission credential.
“I am pleased we can provide such unique advantages to our students to ensure more of them graduate from high school prepared to go on to postsecondary education and not need remediation once they get there,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna.
The Idaho Legislature approved a graduation requirement in 2007 that all high school juniors are required to take a college entrance exam.
The law states that beginning with the high school graduating class of 2013, students must complete a college entrance exam before the end of their junior year.
The 2011 Idaho Legislature appropriated $963,500 for schools to offer the SAT for students during normal school hours with no expense to the students or their families.
The ISBOE said testing during school hours helps students with busy lives outside of school to participate in the SAT instead of making time and arranging transportation on a Saturday.
“The statewide SAT day provides students with the opportunity to identify areas of strength and weakness so they can better prepare for postsecondary education,” said Ken Edmunds, IBSOE president.
In the 2012-13 school year, Delaware and Idaho will participate in SAT School Day as well as multiple districts in 10 other states and Washington, D.C.
“College is a major family financial investment, and the SAT helps students identify the colleges and universities where they have the highest likelihood of academic success,” said College Board Vice President James Montoya. “When used in combination with high school grades, the SAT is the most valid predictor of first-year college performance.”
Emily Johnson can be reached at [email protected]