8th Grade SAT Type Test Available
RediStep Is the Next Generation of Middle School Testing
Oct 25, 2008
RediStep is the new test that the makers of the SAT and PSAT college entrance exams have developed specifically for eighth grade students. The test will consist of three 40-minute sections that cover math, writing and reading. The expected release date of the test is 2010.
Reasons for RediStep Development
The reason the College Board officials designed the two-hour test is to help teachers assess what skills still need developed in high school for college. It will help to show a student's academic progress and readiness for college.
"College Board officials say there's demand for ReadiStep, which it called the only test using the English Language Arts and Mathematics College Board Standards for College Success," reports Eleanor Chute in the article "College Board Rolls out Test for Eighth Graders" in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at the Santa Barbara News-Press website [October 24, 2008].
Some experts believe that waiting until the PSAT to determine a student's high school class schedule, such as taking higher level math classes and college prep classes needs to start in the eighth grade. Waiting until the middle of high school may be too late reports Gale Holland in the article "College Board to Debut an 8th Grade PSAT Exam" on the Los Angeles Times website [August 8, 2008].
Too Many Tests?
In the past, students could begin taking the PSAT in 10th grade. Students move from the PSAT to the SAT and the ACT. Not to mention, the state achievement tests that were mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act and Advanced Placement exams.
This test could help to identify students who should take AP courses who have not been previously identified, and it offers more practice for the regular college entrance exams.
Test Competitors
In Holland's article, critics question whether the College Board is trying to boost revenue by making middle school students take a pre-college admissions test. In addition, the Redistep is in direct competition with the makers of the ACT college entrance exam's Explore test. It was given to almost 1 million eighth and ninth grade students yearly in recent years.
The Explore test assesses English, reading, science and math. Plus, there is an interest inventory to show students what types of careers they may be interested in the future. Many schools currently use this test to identify talented and gifted students. Ohio is one such state that uses it as an approved test for gifted and talented identification.
In the end, eighth grade students are already tested for accountability by the state achievement tests. Teachers need time to teach and students need time to learn. One more test will offer a few more opportunities for students, but is it really needed?
