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New Prince George’s County Public Schools initiative waives SAT fee
SAT School Day hopes to remove barriers to higher education By Karen Mawdsley
For the first time, on Oct. 17, seniors in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will be able to take the SAT—the nation’s most widely used college admission test—for free. The goal of the county-funded initiative, referred to as the SAT School Day, is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to take the test, according to Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alvin Crawley. Leslie Sepuka of College Board’s Washington office reported that in the Prince George’s County school district, 5,192 seniors who graduated in 2012 took the SAT at some point in their high school career. But officials want to see that number increase. Providing the essential pre-college exam to students not only free of charge, but also during a regular school day, in familiar surroundings and with familiar faces allows PGCPS to remove any barriers that may deter student participation, Crawley said. Cost, according to Bowie High School senior Awung Fontem, seems to deter some students from taking the test. According to College Board, there is a direct correlation between family income and SAT scores—the higher the income, the higher the score. Maryland students in households with incomes greater than $200,000 score an average of 156 points higher than those in households with incomes less than $20,000. But the SAT itself is not the only cost involved in the pursuit of higher education. One college application can come with up to a $90
fee attached. And these are moneSAT fee: $50.00 tory expenses that occur even before the expenses of underACT fee: $50.50 graduate tuition, room and board, which rose 42 percent at public AP test fee (1): $89.00 institutions in the last decade. But offering the SAT for UMD app. fee: $65.00 free, while it may not drastically change the percentage of students who chose to pursue higher education upon graduating, is a step in the right direction. Cheryle Williams, a College application fees alone can cost hundreds of dollars. professional school counselor at the county’s Parkdale High School thinks the free SAT opportunity will have a Shabnam Ahmed, the PG County Board positive impact, as does Eleanor Roosevelt of Education’s student member commented on High School senior Ali Dar. the uniqueness of the diversity in the county He commented, “I think because it’s and stated, “By offering a free SAT for seniors free a lot of people are going to be taking it.” I believe our school system is encouraging stu Having been in the position of these dents of all backgrounds to get a jump start for high school seniors merely two years ago, Uni- college. I think it is very generous of the county versity of Maryland sophomore Dejen Mengis to make this offer for the students.” reflects on his experience in PGCPS’s Eleanor PGPCS Senior Pubic Information OfRoosevelt High School. ficer Brian Henderson said the SAT School Day “Our school really encouraged taking would also be offered in the spring on Feb. 27. the SAT multiple times. I actually took it twice The SAT School Day is also available to during high school. They’re really good about all public school students in Delaware, Idaho, exposing us to that type of stuff,” Mengis said. and Maine, as well as students in certain school In addition to the test itself, students districts in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, will have access to College Board preparation New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington, resources including The Official SAT Online Sepuka said. Course, The Official SAT Question of the Day Registration is open online through Oct. and Skills Insight, as well as four free score 3 through the College Board website. reports to send to colleges and scholarship services.
TOTAL: $254.40
CASA continued The LGBT Equity Center on campus has also taken strides to promote intersection of both issues. “We’re trying to make people understand that there is an intersection between the two, they are LGBTs and also dreamers,” said Pamela Hernandez, the special projects office assistant of the LGBT Equity Center. “They face an internal conflict.” The campaign comes at a critical time – Maryland voters will have the option to vote for the Maryland Dream Act, Question 4, and same-sex marriage, Question 6 on the presidential election ballot. According to the Maryland State Board of Election’s website, the Maryland Dream Act would grant undocumented immigrants who attended a high school in Maryland in-state college tuition for any community college. After students have completed two years of community college, they can then attend one of the state’s public universities. In regards to Question 6, the Maryland State Board of Elections’ website stated that
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The whole reason for these two issues to come about was a base line human rights issue.
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Pamela Hernandez, special projects office assistant of the LGBT Equity Center
gay and lesbian couples will be able to obtain a marriage license. “The whole reason for these two issues to come about was for a base line human rights issue,” said Hernandez. “Even though it’s a discussion about Maryland dreamers, it’s also about justice.” The LGBT Equity Center at the University Of Maryland also joined forces with
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the Maryland Dream Act advocates and LGBT supporters to promote the cause. The center hosted the “Diversity on the Ballot”, a panel that discussed the intersection of the two issues on Monday Oct. 1. Casa de Maryland was one of the panel’s sponsors. Panelist speakers included Councilmember Hans Riemer, Valeria Carranza, the Policy Analyst for Montgomery County, Jonathan J. Green, a lobbyist for the Dream Act, Jose Granados, a sophomore involved with Casa de Maryland and Terps for Marriage Equality, and Sebastian Roa, the founder of the Justice for Students in America (JSA) Movement. Hernandez said that the speakers are apart of either both or at least one of the issues that will appear on the election ballot this November. Regardless of whether one, both, or neither questions pass, the election will be historic for taking steps towards equality. “This is about dignity and civil rights,” said Flores. “We have to join in and support the families.”
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