Top colleges are announcing the end of their test optional policies which were instated during Covid quarantine due to inaccessibility to testing. Many competitive universities have been doing their due diligence crunching the numbers and have come to the conclusion that a standardized admission test, a.k.a. the SAT or ACT, is a better indicator of future success at that college than are high school grades.
This is the first year colleges have acknowledged outright that they believe grade inflation to be in place at high schools. They declare this because they are seeing admitted students with Grade Point Averages in the colleges’s average range not succeeding in classes at their schools in a way that students did who presented SAT scores in the college’s average range. They have also been able to analyze standardized test scores of admitted students to see “what would have been“ because colleges are able to access students’ SAT information even though it was not submitted in the application, after admission decisions have been made. This information has also indicated that the SAT is a far better predictor of a student’s ability to handle the level of work required at top universities than is the grade point average.
For these reasons, starting in 2025 we will see the return of the SAT/ACT requirement for admission. Some of the schools that have already indicated their intention to reinstate the requirement for 2025 are: Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Princeton.
Juniors, be sure to double check the SAT requirement policies of each individual college on your wish list for your application year, 2024. Although we will see most of the changes taking place for 2025, you should be sure of each school on your list.
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped nearly every facet of our lives, and the education sector is no exception. As schools have struggled to return to normalcy and fill the gaps left in students’ education, American K-12 programs have been particularly stunted by an emerging effect of the world wide public health crisis: the rise of absenteeism. The New York Times has presented some disturbing data about absenteeism, asserting that on any given day, approximately 10% of schools’ student bodies are absent in many communities. This phenomenon has far-reaching implications for students, educators, and parents alike, and it demands a closer examination.
No doubt increased mental health challenges for students in these years since school closures have contributed to this increase in absenteeism, so should parents take the path of least resistance and ignore worsening attendance records? The drawbacks greatly outweigh the benefits of this approach as we learn more about the penalties of absenteeism.
Absenteeism leads to significant learning loss as students miss out on essential lessons, instructions, and practice, making it challenging to keep up with their peers. Prolonged absenteeism can result in substantial knowledge gaps, making it difficult for students to grasp advanced concepts and build a strong educational foundation. These gaps further affect future educational success. Frequent absenteeism can have a lasting impact on a student’s overall educational trajectory, affecting their academic performance in subsequent years and potentially limiting future opportunities.
Although students might be citing the need to stay home as caused by anxiety and stress, these two factors are actually increased by absenteeism in the long-run. Students who frequently miss school may experience heightened anxiety and stress due to the pressure of catching up on missed work, assessments, and the fear of falling behind. It can also be much harder to assimilate back into the schedule due to the effects of absenteeism on social skills. Chronic absenteeism can hinder the development of social skills as students miss out on interactions with peers and opportunities to build relationships with classmates.
Some students may exhibit behavioral issues as a result of absenteeism, feeling disconnected from school and disengaged from the learning process. This in turn can lead to struggle with developing a sense of responsibility and accountability, which can affect academic and personal growth.Absenteeism can lead to a lack of motivation and interest in school, making it harder for students to engage in their education and set future academic goals. And if those goals include college, ultimately, gaps in education, suppressed social skills, and general academic insecurity have a serious detrimental influence on college admission outcomes. And practically speaking, students with inconsistent attendance records may face challenges when applying to colleges for the absenteeism itself: admissions committees often consider attendance and discipline records as part of the application process.
Support for students’ mental health and emotional well-being should remain a top priority; parents must be part of the team approach to keeping students on schedule and in school so that the resources allocated by American schools can do the good they were created to do. The rise of absenteeism in grades K-12 since the advent of COVID-19 is a complex issue with wide-ranging implications. As we move forward, addressing absenteeism and its underlying causes should be a key focus to ensure that no child’s education is left behind as we take steps forward in our changed world.
In the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions, the decision to take standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT remains a compelling advantage for prospective students. As colleges increasingly adopt optional test policies, submitting test scores provides an opportunity to stand out amidst a sea of applicants who choose not to release their scores.
In addition to the shift towards optional standardized tests, another factor has significantly impacted the college admissions landscape—the COVID-19 pandemic. With the sudden transition to online learning during quarantine, students faced unprecedented challenges and disruptions to their education. Many students relied heavily on internet devices, searching for information and resources to navigate their coursework. Unfortunately, this reliance also created opportunities for some students to engage in academic dishonesty, including cheating during online assessments. As a result, grade point averages (GPAs), which have traditionally been a crucial factor in admissions decisions, may have been influenced in ways that make it even more challenging for admissions departments to discern the true merits of applicants without standardized test scores.
Studies consistently demonstrate that students who submit strong standardized test scores have higher acceptance rates. These scores serve as a standardized benchmark, enabling admissions departments to compare applicants fairly, particularly in the absence of reliable GPAs influenced by the challenges of online learning and potential academic dishonesty.
By taking standardized tests, students showcase their academic abilities and demonstrate their preparedness for the rigors of higher education. These tests provide valuable insights into a student’s potential, beyond what can be gleaned from GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters alone.
Moreover, submitting standardized test scores brings a sense of transparency and consistency to the admissions process. They offer admissions departments a reliable measure of a student’s aptitude and readiness to thrive in a college environment, regardless of their educational background or high school curriculum.
While the decision to take standardized tests ultimately lies with the individual student, it is important to recognize the significant advantage they offer in an environment where the majority of applicants are not releasing their scores. By seizing this opportunity, students can distinguish themselves and enhance their chances of acceptance to their desired colleges and universities.
In conclusion, the choice to take standardized tests should be seriously considered by aspiring college students. By doing so, they position themselves favorably within the admissions process, demonstrating their academic abilities, readiness for higher education, and commitment to their academic journey. Embracing the opportunity to take these tests opens doors to a multitude of possibilities and increases the likelihood of realizing their educational aspirations.
Knowledge deficits in cumulative course material like mathematics can have long-lasting negative effects on students’ academic performance and even their future career prospects. This is because subjects like mathematics build upon themselves over time, with each new concept building upon the last. If a student misses key foundational knowledge, it can lead to difficulty in understanding more advanced concepts, which can result in lower grades and lower confidence in the subject.
Furthermore, research has shown that mathematics fluency is strongly linked to annual income for emerging graduates and to lifelong earning potential. According to a report by the Brookings Institution, math skills are a significant predictor of future earnings, with workers who have strong math skills earning significantly more than those who do not. The report notes that the math skills gap has been growing in recent years, with careers in high-skill, high-paying jobs requiring ever-greater levels of mathematical proficiency. According to a report by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, people with strong math skills earn on average $10,000 more per year than those with weak math skills. This earnings differential can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime.
Given the importance of mathematics skills for future success, it is essential that students receive the support they need to remediate any knowledge deficits caused by COVID school closures. Private tutoring can be a particularly effective remedy for these deficits, as it allows students to receive personalized, one-on-one attention from a knowledgeable tutor who can identify their specific areas of weakness and provide targeted instruction to help them catch up. This can be especially important for students who may have missed out on critical foundational knowledge during the disruptions caused by COVID. By investing in private tutoring for students who need it, we can help ensure that they have the tools they need to succeed both in the short-term and in the years to come.
While private tutoring may be an additional expense for families, the long-term benefits of improved academic performance and earning potential make it a wise investment today.
The Covid-19 pandemic left many parents, students, and educators wondering when schools should reopen. The president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, was among those who argued in 2020 that reopening schools would be a safety risk for students and staff. She pushed for broader policy changes that the union had long favored. Other education leaders favored a faster reopening of schools. Many schools remained closed for months, even after vaccines became available. 
The closures affected low-income, Black, and Latino students the most, but all children suffered: the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency in children’s mental health. Many teachers were understandably frightened to return to work amidst the cloud of public misinformation, and teachers’ unions advocated for their members’ safety. However, despite emerging data that schools were not superspreaders, many U.S. districts remained closed well into 2021.
While teachers and schools worked tirelessly to provide online classes and other resources, the reality is that online learning is no substitute for in-person instruction. As a result, many parents have turned to private tutoring as a means of addressing the educational deficits that their children have experienced due to the school closures.
One of the key advantages of private tutoring is that it provides students with individualized attention and support. This is especially important for students who may have fallen behind during the school closures or who may have struggled with online learning. Private tutors can work with students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop a personalized learning plan, and provide one-on-one instruction and support to help them succeed.
In addition, private tutoring can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each student. This means that tutors can focus on areas where students need the most help, whether that be in a particular subject or skill. Private tutors can also adjust their teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and preferences, making learning more effective for each individual student. It can help students to stay motivated and engaged with their studies.
With the disruptions caused by school closures, many students have struggled with maintaining their focus and motivation. A good tutor can provide students with a sense of accountability and structure, helping them to stay on track and make progress towards their academic goals.
As we continue to navigate the challenges in the wake of the pandemic, it is important to prioritize solutions that will help students recover from the educational deficits caused by school closures. Private tutoring offers an effective way to address these gaps and set students on a path towards long-term success.
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