College Enrollment Still Down from Pre-Pandemic Levels

Rates of college enrollment, which decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Across the country, the rate of undergraduate enrollment dropped 8 percent between 2019 and 2022, marking the steepest decline on record, and while admissions rates are increasing slightly, they have yet to return to 2018 levels.

Despite predictions that the decline was only temporary, it appears that many of those who opted out of college at the beginning of the pandemic have decided not to return to school. While those who don’t attend college typically have a lower average earning potential, many are questioning the benefits of attending colleges and universities when tuition prices continue to rise and rates of student debt are at an all-time high.

Fewer graduates from college could lead to shortages in certain fields, such as healthcare and engineering, while the market for computer science skills has steadily increased. Additionally, many young people are pursuing education outside of the traditional four-year degree; trade schools and apprenticeship programs, for example, are on the rise. The pandemic, which threw a wrench in the plans of many, may have caused a lasting shift in the way young people consider their future.

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Selective Enrollment High School Cut Off Scores Rise

High School Entrance Exam scores are on the rise for 8th-grade students applying to Selective Enrollment High Schools. CPS recently released their Selective Enrollment cut-off scores for the 2023-2024 school year which details an increase in average point totals and minimum scores required for eligibility. This increase will affect applicants of all Tiers across the board.

According to the information provided by CPS, Tier 4 students must achieve a perfect 900 points to place into Walter Payton College Prep or Northside College Prep. This cut-off score remains stagnant for Payton while it has increased by 4 points at Northside in the last year. Similarly, Whitney Young has seen an increase across the board from Tier 1 to Tier 4 students. Tier 1 students must score a minimum of 834 points to be eligible which is up dramatically from 816.5 the year prior. Tier 4 students must score a minimum of 893, up 9 points from last year’s cut-off of 884. Other Selective Enrollment high schools such as Jones College Prep and Lane Tech College Prep have also seen surges in cutoff scores, though their Tier 4 eligibility requirement leaves a small margin for error.

Tier 4 cut-off scores have soared the most rapidly at King Jr. College Prep, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, South Shore International College Prep, and Brooks College Prep with some schools seeing as much as a 21% increase. Previously requiring 529 points for eligibility at Lindblom, the school now demands a score of 643, a 114-point difference. King’s requirement was raised from 501.5 to 600, followed by Southshore which now requires 613 points as opposed to last year’s 529. Lastly, Brooks’ Tier 4 cutoff has increased 46 points this testing season with a new standard of 718 points required. Because of the increasing demand for applicants to achieve higher scores, students who score under 600 points on the High School Admissions Test will not be permitted on the waitlist, making it more difficult than ever for students to test into the school of their choice.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Technology in the Classroom

As technology continues to explode, educators are doing their best to utilize the expanding field to benefit their students in the classroom. Whether it’s implementing personal computers for students, engaging in coding instruction, or using app-based progress tracking, nearly 90% of teachers claim that utilizing research regarding the integration of technology in their teaching strategies has enriched their student’s educational experience. However, research has found that educators lack a common definition for “technology integration” regarding student achievement thus leading to large discrepancies in the education system.

According to a research study that took place between 2010 and 2021 many educators use technology integration as a means by which to enhance their student’s overall education through the use of enrichment tools. For other educators, utilizing technological advancements simply means allowing their students the opportunity to use new tools without implementing proper scaffolds to help them benefit from them in the long term. There is also inconsistency amongst educators concerning the degree to which technology should be used and the ethicality of such changes. This poses a serious problem for students because educators must have a common understanding of the functions of technology-based learning in order to effectively teach in accordance with changing standards.

Research suggests that to combat this discrepancy, teachers must first be trained to understand the value of technology in the changing world before using it for instructional purposes. Professional development programs are necessary to implement this paradigm shift so that educators have a common lens through which to apply these changes. This includes training teachers to learn what tools add value to their classrooms while averting buzzword-heavy trends that do not support student needs. With a more definitive standard for how technology should be integrated in the classroom, educators will be able to make choices for their students that are grounded in evidence-based research rather than speculation. This will lead to a more constructive use of funds as well as a cohesive experience for students from year to year.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
 
Sources:

https://www.edweek.org/technology/what-weve-learned-about-technology-and-learning-in-the-last-3-years/2023/03
https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2022/09/benefits-integrating-technology-todays-k-12-classrooms-perfcon
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/11/education/screens-classroom-tool-temptation.html

Homelessness in the Chicago Public School System

A growing number of students in Chicago are currently struggling with having a permanent and stable home. As of December 2022, 13,000 CPS students identified as homeless, according to CPS’s “Students in Temporary Living Situations” program. However, according to the Chicago Coalition of Homelessness, due to some students not wanting to identify themselves and others being homeless but living in other students’ homes, this number is actually closer to 16,000. Notably, many students in these types of situations don’t qualify for public aid.

There have been many attempts to curtail this rise, to varying degrees of success. Tonti Elementary set up a “Care Closet” to have a place to keep donations from the community and charity organizations for students in need, and provides incoming students with free uniforms and a backpack stuffed with school supplies. 

The American Rescue Plan of 2021 raised the child tax credit to $3600 per child from $2000. Governor Pritzker also made a proposal in February of 2023 to raise the budget for homelessness prevention, increasing the funding that goes into Illinois’s Evidence-Based Funding program that awards funds to schools based on priority of need. The Chicago Teacher’s Union stated that the increases were insufficient, and stated that at least double the proposed amount would be necessary to make the changes necessary. The state budget should be finalized by May of 2023 when the spring legislative session closes.

Nate Hall, Director of Technology & Tutoring Coordinator
nate@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Low Reading and Math Proficiency in CPS Schools

While CPS reported a record-breaking graduation rate in 2022, reading and math proficiency rates for students are a cause for concern, with only one fifth of high schoolers completing the subjects to a grade-level standard. These low proficiency rates have significant implications for students' future success, as they may struggle to keep up with coursework in higher grades or pursue advanced education or career opportunities.

According to 2022 data from the Illinois Department of Education, 55 schools reported zero students that were proficient in either math or reading. The causes of low proficiency rates in the Chicago Public School system are complex, but many attribute the decline to negative effects of the pandemic, including school closures and remote learning. However, proficiency numbers are only slightly lower than they were in 2019, so pandemic consequences only represent part of the picture. Other factors, such as growing levels of homelessness among CPS students, are also important to understand.

Efforts to improve proficiency rates in the Chicago Public School system are ongoing, with educators and administrators working to implement targeted interventions and programs aimed at supporting struggling students and improving academic outcomes. However, addressing the root causes of low proficiency rates will require a sustained and coordinated effort from stakeholders across the district and the broader community, including policymakers, community organizations, and families.

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

The Classical Learning Test Replacing SAT/ACT in Florida?

The SAT and ACT may soon be replaced by the Classical Learning Test in the state of Florida. Primarily used by home-school and private-school students, the CLT is a standardized test steeped in “traditional” education values. School board officials from the state claim the new test contains more challenging material than the SAT and is fitter to uphold the democratic principles of America. As Governor Ron DeSantis searches for alternatives to the College Board’s standardized tests, individuals from the Department of Education are pushing for the implementation of the CLT.

Created in 2015 as a way to disengage from modern education standards, the CLT diverges from the SAT and ACT in ideology. While the College Board recognizes critical race theory as a foundational tenet of education, the CLT takes a conservative approach to this topic with regard to religious values. Chad Pecknold, a member of the CLT’s establishing board stated that it is “an alternative to the College Board that orients people to the perennial truths of the great classical and Christian tradition.” Other Florida Education officials claim that the SAT has “censored” ideals of the Christian faith and thus claim that an alternative test must be implemented.

Currently, the SAT and ACT are the only standardized tests recognized by collegiate institutions in Florida. However, if new legislation is passed the CLT will be available to all eleventh and twelfth-grade students who wish to forgo taking a College Board exam. As of now, Governor DeSantis has not confirmed the state’s switch. Still, Florida education officials are pushing for the addition of the new test, making it likely that the CLT will be recognized as a legal college entrance exam alternative in the coming years.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Sources:

https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-sat-college-board-alternative-classical-christian-desantis-western-thought-2023-2
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/02/19/florida-weighs-classical-and-christian-alternative-to-sat-college-entrance-exam/
https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/02/17/desantis-classical-learning-test-college-board-ap-sat/

ACT vs. SAT : Do Colleges Prefer One Over the Other?

The short answer to the question above is no. As of 2023, all colleges that consider standardized test scores as part of their admissions processes will take SAT or ACT scores at an equal value. 

This myth has persisted primarily because of the fact that a lot of states mandate that their high schoolers take either the SAT or ACT during the school day. CPS students take the SAT at their schools in April. Just north in Wisconsin, the ACT is mandated, so it varies state to state. Additionally, about half of incoming college freshmen attend colleges that are within 100 miles of their hometowns. As a result, colleges tend to receive a majority of test scores from the test that their state mandates that students take in high school (i.e. the SAT for Illinois students). Not all states mandate the SAT or ACT, but each state often leans one way or the other.

All of that being said, these state mandates and local tendencies do not affect how colleges consider either test, and students should just take whichever test they feel most confident. Students may also take both tests, but should consider the extra preparation time, stress, and testing fees that would be involved.

Check out our article ‘What's the Difference Between the SAT and the ACT?’ from November, 2022 to see which test is right for you!

Nate Hall, Director of Technology & Tutoring Coordinator
nate@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Chat GPT

As technology evolves, it has become nearly impossible to discern artificial intelligence from authentic human work. This presents a particular problem for educators as students are more likely than ever to use technology in lieu of completing their own schoolwork. Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence program at the forefront of this issue. Educators are wary of this AI because it is available widely and has the ability to answer questions, write essays, and even code effectively.

However, while Chat GPT is often effective it is not foolproof. After testing its limits, Zurich-based data scientist Teresa Kubacka found that when presented with misinformation Chat GPT had no ability to determine inauthenticity. After asking the AI to write about a made-up phenomenon, Chat GPT went on to produce a work of equal nonsensical value, citing nonexistent sources and falsifying publications. This is yet another reason educators are trying to quell the spread of misinformation and safeguard students against academic dishonesty.

To disrupt the onslaught of AI-centered cheating, schools have taken measures to minimize student exposure to this technology. Recently, New York City schools have banned access to Chat GPT on all school-operated networks and computers. Seattle schools have also restricted access to Chat GPT as well as other websites used to forge classwork. In addition, many schools have also gone to lengths to invest in technology that is able to recognize AI-generated work. It is hoped that these changes will promote academic integrity by discouraging students from presenting AI-generated work as their own.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/technology/chatgpt-schools-teachers.html
https://www.npr.org/2022/12/19/1143912956/chatgpt-ai-chatbot-homework-academia
https://apnews.com/article/what-is-chat-gpt-ac4967a4fb41fda31c4d27f015e32660

What to Bring to the SAT

When you take the SAT, there are a few things you'll need to bring with you. See below for a list of what not to forget on your test day!

• Printed Admissions Ticket

• When you register to take the SAT, you will receive an admissions ticket for your specific testing location. You’ll need to bring a printed copy of this ticket with you to the testing center - before printing, double check to make sure the location hasn’t changed!

• Photo ID

• Accepted photo identification must be the original version of an ID issued by the government or by the school which you currently attend. The name on the ID must match the name on your registration.

• Two No. 2 Pencils

• It can’t hurt to have a spare - and make sure they have working erasers!

• An Approved Calculator

• You can use a calculator on the Math Test - Calculator section! Accepted calculators include all scientific calculators, most graphing calculators, and four-function calculators (although these are not recommended due to their simplicity). Note that you may not share calculators with others.

• Face Covering

• Make sure you check the masking requirements for your specific testing location, and bring along a face covering just in case.

• A Watch

• While not required, it can be helpful to bring a watch with you to the test, so that you can more effectively pace yourself. Smart watches will not be allowed - the simpler the better! Also, be sure to make sure your watch doesn’t have an alarm set.

• Water Bottle and Snacks

• For most students, there will be one 10-minute break and one 5-minute break during the test. You won’t be able to use your phones, but you will be able to take a drink and have a quick snack!

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

The SAT Changing to a Digital Format in 2024

To adjust to the changing landscape of standardized testing, in 2024 the College Board will be offering the SAT digitally to students in the United States. Covid-19 and other factors caused a decreased demand for SAT scores by colleges causing many high schools to forego in-school SAT testing. Because of this, students have less access to and incentive to take the SAT than ever before. To support students’ changing needs, College Board has adapted the SAT to an improved digital format. They believe this change will increase student interest and make the test more relevant to student needs.

According to Priscilla Rodriguez of College Board, “the digital SAT will be much easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant.” Rodriguez claims this testing format will benefit students as it is similar to the online tests they’ve seen in school. The digital SAT will be adaptive, meaning questions will vary based on student answers. The efficiency of adaptive testing means that students will spend around two hours taking the test digitally as opposed to three hours with the previous manual version. Other changes include shorter reading passages and access to calculators for the entirety of the math section.

To take the SAT digitally, students will meet at a testing location where the test can be monitored. Students may use their own computers. However, if a student does not have access to a computer, one will be provided to them for the duration of the test. Students will no longer need extraneous materials such as writing utensils and calculators. Therefore, lack of access to these materials will no longer be an issue. In addition, digital SAT scores will now be available just days after testing as opposed to several weeks with the hand-written version. The College Board believes these adjustments will benefit students by modernizing the standard SAT format.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266