Changes in standardized testing are on the horizon. Even before COVID-19, a trend existed among colleges to make standardized test scores an optional part of the admissions process. Not long after, we entered a pandemic where it was very difficult if not impossible for students to take standardized testing. Currently, many colleges are deciding whether to require testing for admission on a year-by-year basis. The College Board, which owns the SAT, has responded with a series of changes over time. Some of the latest changes include the test being fully digitalized and shortened to two hours. The digitalization will allow for increased security since there will be no test booklets to steal. Students can now use a calculator on all math problems and test results will now be available in days instead of weeks. The ACT already offers a digitized version to international students, and is working toward a digital version for everyone. As students adjust to these new changes, more modifications to standardized testing can be expected, as well as new policies regarding whether colleges will require it. These changes help address some of the current issues with testing but likely don’t go far enough to address the growing question about test validity as a criteria for college admission.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/01/25/sat-exam-digital-shorter-admissions-test/
In return to campuses, students with disabilities fear they’re being ‘left behind’
Now more than ever, it is critical that students and their families understand the support offered at colleges. Many students who returned to in person classes this fall are encountering a host of issues that are the by-product of learning during COVID. While it is essential to understand your child's needs, it is equally important to know and carefully consider the programming that colleges offer to support your child's academic, social and emotional life. Even for students who do not have learning differences, making the transition to college life and flourishing there while in a pandemic may require some support. The approach and attitude that colleges have about support greatly varies and can make the difference between your student having a positive and negative college experience.
In return to campuses, students with disabilities fear they’re being ‘left behind’ (from the Washington Post)
Sophomores in name only: Helping students start their second first year
For students from the classes of 2020 and 2021 going to campus this fall, this is a time of excitement, hope and uncertainty. The class of 2020 missed milestones like prom and graduation and were faced with tough decisions about whether to head to college, learn remotely or take a gap year. It was a challenging year for students, faculty and the universities to navigate all the changes based on the little information they had about Covid-19. This fall, many would-be sophomores are unfamiliar with their campus either because they stayed home, took a gap year or were largely taking classes from their dorm room and felt isolated. Those students are very much looking to get oriented quickly to all aspects of college life. For students in the class of 2021, whose high school experience was also impacted, many begin the year with the hope that their freshman experience will be closer to normal.
Colleges understand the considerable frustration and anxiety that students have experienced about missing out on many aspects of normal college life and have responded with orientation programming aimed at welcoming students and familiarizing them quickly with the college. The article below discusses the need for such programming and what some colleges are doing to welcome their students and make them feel at home.
https://hechingerreport.org/sophomores-in-name-only-helping-students-start-their-second-first-year/
adhd and managing emotional regulation
A client sent this to me recently and told me that it really resonated with her. As someone who specializes in working with students that have ADHD and other learning differences, I can vouch for the difficulty kids and their parents often face academically, socially and emotionally. I love that my client sent me this and the message it delivers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfg3ThEm-gY&ab_channel=HowtoADHD
How The Pandemic Changed The College Admissions Selection Process This Year
This year was like no other for college admissions. Students worked hard to learn remotely, to find alternative extracurricular activities and to articulate how the pandemic impacted them. Many did not take or submit standardized testing and college visits were not always possible. Students managed all of this while still trying to put their best foot forward in the application process. This year was about perseverance and learning how to manage the unexpected. This is a short article that highlights some of the ways that college admissions officers changed their process in response to the pandemic.