Maximizing the Benefits of the PSAT/NMSQT Program to Promote College Readiness

College Board National Forum, November 9-12, 2006

1. To review the new My College QuickStart tools available online for students who took the PSAT/NMSQT in high school.

2. To learn from two district leaders on how they use PSAT/NMSQT data in their schools

3. To understand how PSAT/NMSQT fits into the overall district plan of action to create a culture of college readiness

Today’s Goals

2

Creating a Culture of College Readiness:My PSAT/NMSQT College QuickStart

3

For PSAT/NMSQT® test-takers only, My College QuickStart uses student test results to power these personalized tools:

• An online score report • A customized SAT study plan • College, major, and career matches

Students need the access code printed on their official paper score report.

My College QuickStartTM

Think College

4

Look Beyond Your Score With My Online Score Report, students learn from their test results with these features:

• Complete answer explanations

• State percentiles

• Projected SAT® score ranges

• Answers you can sort

My Online Score Report

5

Sort Answers

Students can review the questions answered incorrectly or omitted. Use these options to sort answers:

• Difficulty level

• Question type

• Math content area

My Online Score Report

6

View Questions

Students can view each question, its answer, and answer explanation. Passage-based reading questions also include the relevant passages.

My Online Score Report

7

Prepare for the SAT® Students can make the most of their PSAT/NMSQT results with their own customized SAT study plan. Among My SAT Study Plan's many tools:

• Skills to improve, chosen especially for each student• SAT practice questions• An official SAT practice test complete with score report

My SAT Study Plan™

8

Review and Practice

On Review and Practice pages, students can review PSAT/NMSQT® questions they missed and answer SAT® practice questions of the same type.

My SAT Study Plan™

9

Sign Up Students that take the PSAT/NMSQT are pre-registered for the SAT: they approve the pre-filled forms and choose a date.

Express SAT® Sign-Up

10

Jump-Start the College Search

My College Matches lists colleges that match each student’s preferred major and current location. They can also search by size and admission selectivity.

My College Matches

11

Connect to the Possibilities

When students take the PSAT/NMSQT®, they indicate a major they’re interested in on their answer sheet. My Major & Career Matches connects students to profiles of:

• The student’s major of interest

• Related majors

• Related careers

My Major & Career Matches

12

Explore Majors on MyRoadTM

By using MyRoad, students:

• Get the big picture

• Focus on specific topics

• Hear from students in the field

• Read about high school preparation

• Learn about college study

• Connect to related careers

My Major & Career Matches

13

Research Careers on MyRoadTM

• Weigh rewards and responsibilities

• Check academic requirements

• Learn the economic outlook for the field

• Hear from working professionals

My Major & Career Matches

14

Discover the UnknownIf a student is uncertain of his/her major of interest, MyRoad includes a personality test to help them discover new majors and careers.

My Major & Career Matches

15

Sign In

High school students can use the access code on their official PSAT/NMSQT® paper score report to sign in at collegeboard.com/psatextra.

My College QuickStartTM

16

• View guided tour on www.collegeboard.com/psatextra

• Sit down with a student after PSAT/NMSQT Score Reports arrive to view QuickStart features

• DVD of Destination College: Planning with the PSAT/NMSQT (included in Score Report shipments)

• Review the PSAT/NMSQT Official Educator Guide to Resources and Next Steps

My College QuickStart

17

More information on:

•My College QuickStart

• Free PSAT/NMSQT reports for educators:

• AP Potential

• Summary of Answers and Skills (SOAS)

Official Educator Guide to Resources and Next Steps

18

How One District Uses AP Potential:

Volusia County, Florida

Presenter: Dr. Nicki Junkins, Director of Curriculum

Volusia County Schools

19

District Goals

• District Goals and Priorities• Close the academic achievement gap• Increase enrollments in advanced placement

courses• 50% of students will take a minimum of 1 AP

course prior to graduation

• Increase AP enrollments among minority and low socioeconomic students

• AP enrollments will reflect district demographic data

20

College Board Partnership to Increase Academic Rigor for All

• Comprehensive Three Tier Plan (see attachment 1)

• Assessment and Data Analysis Tools• PSAT/NMSQT• SAT• AP

• College Board Programs• Springboard• Advanced Placement• AVID**• College Ed

• Professional Development (see attachment 2)• AP Training• Springboard (initial and follow up)• Pre-AP Strategies• Vertical Teams• AP Student Reviews• Effective use of PSAT/NMSQT, SAT and AP data to improve instruction

21

PSAT/NMSQT: The Cornerstone

Uses of the PSAT/NMSQT• Identify students with potential for more rigorous

courses– Students in grades 8-11 participate– All testing is scheduled during midweek test date– No cost to the student

• Build and expand AP programs• Support instructional planning• Review district/school scope and sequence

22

The PSAT/NMSQT Plan

Setting Clear Expectations• District meetings with APs for curriculum, test

coordinators and guidance directors to discuss expectations

• Schools submit a plan (see attachment 3)

• Distribution plan and timeline• Content review for students• Parent information night

23

Using the AP Potential Report to increase enrollment and expand AP Program Offerings

• Review College Board AP Potential Web site

• District-developed AP Potential Report• Hard Copy Version by grade and race/ethnicity• District Web-based Data Warehouse by grade and by Teacher (see

attachment 4) • Individual Student Report and Parent Letter (see attachment 5)

• Course/grade summary data used to expand the AP program (see attachment 6)

• Used in academic profile during summer review of student schedules

The PSAT/NMSQT Plan

24

NEXT STEPS

• Create a Data Warehouse PSAT/NMSQT instructional report for teachers• Classroom level report of student responses

• Increase the use of the PSAT/NMSQT as an instructional tool to promote success on the state accountability assessment• Tight alignment with state standards and correlation with state

assessment• Provide insight into student/class strengths and weaknesses• Provide examples of quality assessment items that measure

higher levels of cognition

25

ISSUES

• Clarity of Purpose• How does the PSAT/NMSQT support district goals and

priorities?• What will the data be used for?• How will the data be shared?• How will success be measured?

• Commitment and Sustainability• Is the district committed to long-term district funding and

support?• Is there a plan to share the purpose and expectations of the plan

with appropriate stakeholders?• Does the district have the human resources need to support and

implement the plan?

26

How One School District Uses the Summary of

Answers and Skills Report (SOAS): Clark County, NV

Presenter: Brian Myli, College Counselor Specialist

Clark County School District (CCSD), Nevada

27

CCSD Plan of Action

• Systematic, structured mechanism to support CollegeBoard programs in order to increase student achievement.

• Three Strands – Teacher, Counselor, Administration

• Curriculum and Professional Development Division provide leadership

28

Summary of Answers and Skills Report (SOAS)

• Includes:

• Correct Answer Analysis

• Incorrect Answer Analysis

• Summary Review of Skills • Includes “comparable group,” which creates

an expected performance indicator for each question

29

Understanding SOAS

• In February, CollegeBoard provides two (2) consultants to assist with understanding SOAS Report• English Department Chairpersons• Mathematics Department Chairpersons

• District Deadline Date to Review SOAS Report with English/mathematics Departments established as June 7, 2007

30

SOAS Online Resources

• SOAS Tutorial Powerpoint

• Test Question Detail• Provides a record of questions for further

review

• Skills Information

• Answer explanations for test questions

31

Integration

• Enables English and mathematics faculty to focus on students’ performance and skills

• Encourages faculty to review test questions identified as problematic with students

• Empowers school-based administrators to address areas of concern in curriculum and instructional practice

• Provides leaders in the Curriculum and Professional Development Division with the data, tools and resources to support school-based faculty and administration in understanding the SOAS Report

32

Questions and Answers Session

If you have questions, please contact: Nicki Junkins (Volusia County): njunkins@volusia.k12.fl.us

Brian Myli (Clark County): mylibc@interact.ccsd.netJessica Tai (PSAT/NMSQT): jtai@collegeboard.org

33