SAT and the Learning Disabled
Are the disabled being treated fairly by the College Board (SAT)?
The SAT is suspicious that students are using accommodations to get better scores when only borderline disabled. So, they are denying applications when the LD apply.
While it is true that some affluent students are applying for accommodations on the SAT when they don't have a disability, the SAT is denying requests by those that are disabled.
In "Learning Disabled Left Behind", Joan Ryan, writer for SFGate.com, points out inequities in the SAT with the learning disabled. Professionals that work with The College Board say that there have been more claims denied the past two years than in the past ten. What is the reason?
The SAT wants to keep the tests standardized and thinks the integrity of the test is jeopardized if all students don't take the test in the same amount of time. Unlike the integrity of the test not being jeopardized by 4,000 errors in scoring this past fall. The SAT also does little about students cheating on the tests.
How Many Disabled Are There?
The SAT states that it has tripled the number of accomodations made in the past 30 years. 2% of students now have the tests modified to suit their diagnosis. However, 10% of the population has a formal learning disability. That leaves 8% of the students either not taking the SAT, not applying for accommodations or being denied.
Must Be Documented
The SAT demands evidence of the disability which is understandable. But, if you come from a lower income family that may not have good insurance, you may not be able to easily afford an official diagnosis. Students often have modifications made for them in high school without documentation. There is no "evidence" that the student needed these modifications to be successful so SAT denies the request. Testing modifications made for all students should be documented in either a 504 Plan or an IEP.
Is The SAT Fading in Importance?
With more and more colleges deciding to have the SAT and ACT optional for college admissions (check the list of colleges that no longer require ACT or SAT), I wonder how accurate the SAT and ACT tests really are. Do they really predict success in college? Many colleges are now saying they are not sure and no longer require the SAT or ACT.
Related articles:
The SAT and Admissions by Lynn Byrne, College and University, He'll Cheat For You on the SAT, SAT Fatigue?, ACT Reading Scores Falling
For more on learning disabilities, visit Special Needs Education by Greg Cruey.
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
