September 29, 2009
Dear
Parent/Guardian:
Seattle Public
School's strategic plan, Excellence for All, is focused on
providing an excellent education for every student in every school
and ensuring our students graduate prepared for college, careers
and life. On October 14th, we will continue our work to advance
this goal by providing the Preliminary SAT exam (PSAT/NMSQT®)
for ALL our students in grades 10 and 11. The College
Board's PSAT/NMSQT® is a powerful tool that we can use to raise
SAT scores, to broaden participation in AP and IB courses, and to
raise the higher education aspirations of all our students and
families. We are also able to provide this exam and all associated
college counseling tools at NO COST because of the generosity of a
local corporate sponsor.
All
of our high schools will offer the test on Wednesday, October
14, 2009. This exam will give all students an opportunity to
experience taking a college readiness test and help us identify
students who might benefit from advanced coursework. Even if your
child has not yet decided to attend college, I urge you to make
sure he or she participates.
By
taking the PSAT/NMSQT® your child will have access to resources
that will help prepare him/her for the future:
- a list of careers
and potential college majors based on the preferences indicated
on the PSAT/NMSQT®;
- access to
MyRoad™, the College Board's interactive college and
career planning website;
- MY COLLEGE QUICK
START™, a personalized, interactive planning program
based on the individual student’s test results;
- an online score
report, including projected SAT® score ranges, state
percentiles, and the ability to sort answer explanations by
difficulty and question type;
- a customized
SAT® study plan including a review of results, SAT®
practice questions, and personalized skill improvement
ideas.
Please note that 10th
graders are not eligible for the National Merit Qualifying
Scholarships. Only 11th grade students may be identified as
National Merit Scholars based on the PSAT/NMSQT®.
Your
student’s Score Report for the PSAT/NMSQT® will arrive at
school in December for distribution.
Sincerely,
Dr.
Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D.
Superintendent
