By Tarek Miah, Sean Radden, and Jonathon Ramseur The Diagnostic
The state of Michigan has made a major change in its education policy. Many people, students and teachers alike, face confusion due to this year’s sudden change of the primary college entrance exam from the ACT to the SAT. All BCHS juniors will take the SAT on April 12.
Prior to this year, all high school juniors sat down to take the ACT every spring as one of the many crucial parts of the college preparation process. However, according to the Detroit Free Press, the State of Michigan made a three year deal worth $17.1 million to make the SAT the official high school assessment for college entrance. The deal was struck because the newly redesigned test is said to be more aligned with Common Core Standards.
At Benjamin Carson High School, the long-standing system of ACT prep courses have been changed to SAT prep. As a result, BCHS SAT prep teachers, like Michelle Nelson, have had to adapt to the transition.
She believes, though, that whether the changes are going to be difficult for students “depends on the student.” Some students might find the new format helpful, while others may find it challenging.
Many students, especially juniors, find themselves asking why the state would change the test when most of their learning up to this point has been based on the ACT.
“They wanted it to be more reflective of what the students can do,” said Nelson when asked about the reasoning behind the transition. “The ACT is centered more on what they have learned.”
While the SAT is certainly different from the ACT in format, most schools will continue to accept scores from both exams.
Even though the SAT will be the official test provided directly through Michigan high schools, Nelson added that students should still take the ACT on their own time.
