Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 2962
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning payment for college admission tests.
Sponsors: Representatives Moscoso, Tarleton and Stanford.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 2/18/16
Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
The SAT and the ACT are standardized college admissions or placement tests that are widely accepted by institutions of higher education across the United Sates. Both tests are administered by nonprofit organizations.
The SAT has three subject tests: writing and language, reading, and mathematics. A redesigned SAT will be administered seven times per year, beginning March 2016. The redesigned SAT has 154 questions plus an optional essay. Test takers must complete the test in three hours, with an additional 50 minutes for the essay. Scores on the redesigned SAT range from 400-1600.
The ACT has four subject tests: English, reading, mathematics, and science. The ACT is administered six times per year. The ACT has 215 questions plus an optional essay. Test takers must complete the test in 2 hours 55 minutes, with an additional 40 minutes for the essay. Scores on the ACT range from 1-36.
Eligible students may use their scores on the SAT or ACT to meet state graduation assessment requirements in English language arts, mathematics, or science if the scores meet or exceed certain minimums set by the State Board of Education. To be eligible to use this option, a student must have:
taken and not passed the state's exit exams or accountability assessments at least once in the content area for which the student wants to use this graduation alternative; or
transferred into a Washington public high school in grade 11 or 12 under certain conditions.
The registration fee for the SAT is $43 and for the SAT with Essay is $54.50. The registration fee for the ACT is $39.50 and for the ACT Plus Writing is $56.50. Both tests have additional registration fees for registering late, standby/waitlist testing, and changing test dates or test centers. There are scoring service fees for additional score reports and rush orders.
Eligible students who use the SAT or ACT for purposes of a graduation alternative may use a fee voucher when registering for the test. To be eligible for a fee waiver, the student must have taken at least one of the state's exit exams or accountability assessments once and not met standard on that test, and not received a fee waiver in the past.
Summary of Bill:
Public high schools must offer juniors and seniors the opportunity to take the SAT or the ACT once per school year. The tests must be given during the school day, on a date to be determined by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, free of charge.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.