AP test profit funds PSAT tests at Walter Johnson High School

The Great Mystery of the Free PSAT Tests has finally been solved. 

Parents of most MCPS 11th graders might recall having paid the standard PSAT fee of $13 this past fall.  For each PSAT test taken, the schools forwarded the entire $13 payment to the College Board, except for tests given to students who were granted fee waivers.

Some schools, such as BCC, Gaithersburg, and Seneca Valley, decided to turn the PSAT test into a fundraiser by tacking on an additional $1 to $2.  

But one school -- Walter Johnson (Bethesda) -- didn't charge anything for the PSAT test.

So we wondered:  How did Walter Johnson figure out a way to provide the PSAT test for free, when all of the other schools were charging $13 to $15 to each 11th grade student?

We asked the principal of Walter Johnson, Dr. Garran, how his school paid for the PSAT without collecting the $13 per test fee.  

All that Dr. Garran would tell us was that "discretionary funds" were used.  

As it turns out, a portion of the profit from previously administered AP tests was used to pay for the PSAT tests.  Of the $86 per AP test that students pay, the school gets to keep $8 to do with as they wish.  Walter Johnson administered 1,851 AP tests last spring, resulting in a profit of about $14,808.  (The actual profit may have been slightly less because the school forgoes the profit for any students who are entitled to a fee reduction.)  

What did the other high schools do with their AP test profit?  And why didn't they use their AP test profits to pay for PSAT tests?

The answer can be obtained from your child's high school principal -- but only if you ask.

Here are the financial records from Walter Johnson High School that show the transfer from the AP test account to the PSAT test account and the check request to pay the College Board for the tests.
Walter Johnson HS PSAT funding IAF Documents

Beware: PSAT Fee Scam

The PSAT is given by your local high school on a school day. This year, the test date is Wednesday October 14, 2009. MCPS high schools tell students and families they want 100% participation on this optional standardized test.

The MCPS Board of Education has set aside funding in the budget to pay for all 10th graders to take the PSAT for free.

For all other MCPS students taking the PSAT, the fee from the College Board is $13.

So why are some MCPS high schools charging more than $13 for the PSAT? The Board of Education has not authorized the collection of a profit on the administration of these tests.

Here is a sample of some of the PSAT fees being charged.

BCC High School Fee: $15

Churchill High School Fee: $13

Gaithersburg High School Fee: $14

Northwest High School Fee: $13

Poolesville High School Fee: $13

Rockville High School Fee: $13

Seneca Valley High School Fee: $14

Richard Montgomery High School Fee: $13

Walter Johnson High School Fee: FREE for 10th & 11th graders! (How are they providing the PSAT for FREE to 11th graders? In the rest of the county, 11th graders have to pay a fee to take the PSAT.)

If you are paying more than $13 for your child to take the official PSAT your local school is making a profit on this "100% participation" test.

The funds collected by the local school, over and above the required PSAT fee, stay at the local school and create a slush fund for the local Principal. The "profit" on the PSAT exams in not flowing back into the MCPS Operating Budget.

1,000 students paying an extra $2 a test creates a $2,000 slush fund at the local school. How are those funds going to be used? It's anyone's guess.

PSAT - Is this Part of the Instructional Program?

Will your child be sitting for the PSAT on Wednesday Oct. 14 in a Montgomery County Public School High School?



Apparently, some schools are experiencing issues with paying for the tests. Here is an edited e-mail that appeared on one school's parent list.

Next week our 10th and 11th grade students will be taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. In years past, MCPS paid for all students to take the test. This year, because of budget restrictions the county will not pay for 11th graders. But 11th grade is an important year for the PSAT. The test results from 11th grade testing determines a students eligibility for National Merit Scholarships. [material deleted] For all students, the PSAT results prompt colleges to begin to reach out to students to encourage applications. The administration has secured a limited number of fee waivers from the College Board, but not nearly enough to cover the number of students who they believe will be unable to pay the $13 test fee.

Our school administration and the counseling department have asked for our support to make sure that all students can take the test and have the results scored and circulated by the College Board. [material deleted] As you well know, our PTSA budget cannot provide this amount at this time. If you can afford to make a donation to defray the costs of the test for another student or students, please do so. [material deleted]

So - while I feel for the students and PTSAs who are asked to pick up the tab for this test, I'd advise thinking before you proceed further.

1. Do tenth graders really need to have their exams scored and circulated by the College Board?
2. Aren't fee waivers available from the College Board or school district?
3. If the exam is given as part of the school day, with attendance taken, isn't this exercise part of the instructional program?

Question 1. Short answer - No.
Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Earlier this year I posted a caution to parents in Potomac about paying for exam preparation for a practice test. Yes, the PSAT is a practice test, in preparation for the SAT that some, but not all, colleges require. You can read about the PSAT on the College Board webpage, but note - only the scores taken in the junior year count for the scholarship programs. The other benefits from taking the exam? All of the reasons for taking the exam - identification of strengths and weaknesses, a measure of performance to others applying to colleges, and familiarity with SAT questions - can be accomplished without having the scores sent to the College Board.

And yes, parents should be aware of alternatives to taking a practice practice exam. Preparation materials and sample exams are available in the public libraries for free. Also, many exam prep courses offer diagnostic exams - again, for free. If the school in question has limited funds, its the 11th graders who should have the test picked up for free. Little purpose is served by having 10th graders receive a score report from College Board.

Question 2. Short answer - the College Board provides fee waivers.
Brief Constructed Response - From the College Board website:

The College Board makes fee waivers available to schools for students in eleventh grade from low-income families who can't afford the test fee. See your counselor for more information about fee waivers.

Those of us with kids in MCPS have noticed that the pricing varies from school to school. Did you know that Walter Johnson doesn't charge 10th or 11th graders for taking the PSAT? According to their website:

This year, all eleventh and tenth grade students are required to take the official 2009 PSAT exam, for which there is no fee or registration procedure, which will be scored by Educational Testing Service. Juniors whose PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Selection Index scores are high and who meet all requirements for participating in National Merit Scholarship programs will be considered for recognition and scholarships.

How did they do that? Obviously, there is more green at WJ than just on the athletic fields. Last year, Magruder HS did not charge 10th and 11th graders.

Of particular note is that some school districts negotiate for better pricing.

The State of Indiana negotiated a $10.4 per test fee.

So - why doesn't the 16th largest school district in the country negotiate a better fee schedule?

3. Short answer. Yes, this is part of the school day.
BCR - If a school expects students to show up, takes attendance, and marks students as tardy or absent, then its a normal school day. If the exam is given in place of instruction, as part of the school's program.

Those of you who have been following our blog know what comes next.

The Maryland Constitution provides for a free public education. This looks like a fee for a part of the curriculum in the school and is illegal. If an exam is given in school as part of the school program, the school system cannot charge a fee. College board scoring or not, a school day's replacement for its normal instructional program must be provided to all students, regardless of their ability to pay.

So - to the school that is soliciting parental contributions? You can stop right now. The next post on your listserve should be that the school has decided to follow the lead of Magruder and Walter Johnson, and will provide the PSAT for free on October 14. Checks will be mailed out to reimburse those students who have submitted payment for an activity that is part of the school's instructional program.

And to the principals who seek PTSA assistance? Go to your superintendent first, and be sure that the same rules apply to all schools, not just to the ones who are clever enough to ask.

New Rule: Count Last Year's PSAT tests in this Year's Total

New MCPS "business rule":

"Grade 10 repeaters who took the PSAT in the prior year but did not test in the current year will be included in the participation rate calculation."

From the October 4, 2011 MCPS memo shown below, we learn that of the students that repeated 10th grade in the 2010-11 school year, at least 706 of those students did not re-take the PSAT exam. 


For those 706 students, their 2009-10 PSAT exams are being counted in with the data on how many students took the PSAT exam in 2010-11.

2010-2011 Grade 10 PSAT Participation Prin Memo 10.4.11

Preying on Potomac Parents - MCPS and the Practice PSAT

I had trouble finding a title for this post. Alternate titles included "Caveat Emptor Prospective PSAT Parents" "Pickpockets in Potomac" or "Would you pass the 'Parent inSecurity Aptitude Test?'"

I am sure most of you who are reading the list know about the PSAT administered by the College Board. It's the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, given to 11th graders, as a pretest for the SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, used in the college admission process. If you want to read more about taking these tests, see the College Board Website for details. Aside from indicating a student's strengths and identifying areas of weakness, the scores are used in the NMSQT - the National Merit Scholarship program.

Here in MCPS, where everyone is above average, our kids take the exam in ninth and tenth grade too - on the theory that it's good to practice for a practice exam. Someone must have read Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" and is offering our students an opportunity to get their 10,000 hours of practice.

But, given this is Montgomery County, it's also home to some of the more affluent members of society. Parents who are willing to pay to be sure to give their kids every advantage possible.

So, in a bit of educational creativity, the head of the guidance department sent the following letter home to parents of current ninth graders at Wootton High School. (Technically, the school is in Rockville, zip code 20850, although they like to consider themselves part of Potomac.)

Capital Educators

Now, if your household received this letter, wouldn't you assume that this program is worthwhile?

Parents need to know that the PSAT for 10th graders doesn't really serve any student related purpose. Parents also need to know that student scores on PSATs are related to maturity level, knowledge gained through additional schooling, and many other factors. I suspect that college admissions staff would agree with me that there is little point in stressing yourselves or your students over a test that doesn't have much individual value when given in 10th grade.

Unless you are in Potomac. Then you think you are buying an advantage.

And if you are a teacher at a school in Potomac. Then you think you can get some profit by brokering a "partnership."


My advice to parents? Don't be fooled by this attempt to play into your insecurities. Wait until your child is closer to applying to colleges, see what he or she needs, and, if you really need to supplement, do so in a manner that fits your needs and your finances. You have plenty of options - including free practice tests offered by other educational services, free online courses offered through MCPS and lower cost options, including the course offered through Montgomery College or the SAT workbook/software available through your local bookstores. Most knowledgeable schools will provide the information, but fall short of a Wootton type recommendation. Here is the disclaimer posted by Mary Hull of Richard Montgomery concerning Revolution Prep:

This material is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the BOE of MCPS, the
superintendent, or this school. Please make your own decision when using this
information/resource.

Note also that schools in the less affluent sections of our county are already taking advantage of these options. See, for example, what students are told at Blair, Watkins Mill, and Blake.

If my arguments fail to persuade you that PSAT practice for 10th graders is not worthwhile - then please - at least ask the guidance department why this particular company. Did the department research the companies and get comparative pricing? What does the partnership involve? Is it really in your students best interest or is this course in the best interest of another entity - like the school guidance department?

Finally, what you and Wootton staff don't know is that under MCPS conflict of interest rules, MCPS employees can not: endorse nor recommend a business firm or an individual for services, or a specific product. See http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/gcara.pdf

And what happens to violators:

An alleged violation of this regulation is cause for an immediate investigation by the deputy superintendent of schools. If it is determined that an employee has violated this regulation, the employee may be suspended and/or terminated . . . .

Will MCPS's Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Lacey, take action? Probably not, it's Wootton, the requirements are old and musty (2002), and we all know the rules don't apply to schools in MCPS where the test scores are above average and government is no longer part of the curriculum.

Even if Dr. Lacey doesn't step in, parents should empower themselves. Just say no to PSAT prep classes for 10th graders, and let your current ninth grader enjoy school without worrying about college prep classes.



Montgomery County Public Schools Conflict of Interest Regulation

Free-for-all at Walter Johnson High School

Again this year, every 10th and 11th grader at Walter Johnson High School gets to take the PSAT for free.  And 9th graders get to take a practice version of the PSAT for free.

WJHS, which serves the Bethesda area, is the only MCPS school that offers the PSAT for free to every 10th and 11th grade student.  At all other MCPS schools, 11th graders who want to take the PSAT must pay a fee, which is $14 at most schools. (Some schools, such as Sherwood High School, charge a fee to 9th graders and 11th graders.)
Free PSAT at WJHS

MCPS releases PSAT participation rates

A recently released report from the MCPS Department of Shared Accountability reveals that 10th grade PSAT participation rates at most high schools ranged from 80% to 97%.

Thomas Wootton High School lead the pack with a participation rate of 96.6%. On the low end, the rate at Springbrook High School was 68.9%, more than 11 percentage points lower than any other MCPS high school.

Overall, 90% of MCPS 10th graders took the PSAT in 2009.

The PSAT is offered at "no charge" to all MCPS 10th graders, so it is baffling as to why there is such large variation in the participation rate throughout the school system.

The complete report is available at:

http://sharedaccountability.mcpsmd.org/reports/list.php?selection=868

PSAT score reports for 2009 have been received by MCPS but have not yet been released to the public.

Gov. O'Malley proposes waiving AP exam fee - wtop.com

BALTIMORE - Gov. Martin O'Malley wants to waive the $86 fee per subject for Advanced Placement tests in Maryland.
The proposal is part of an initiative O'Malley made public on Tuesday called "AP Access and Success."

Gov. O'Malley proposes waiving AP exam fee - wtop.com

 Montgomery would get bulk of AP exam funding | Washington Examiner

Advanced Placement: O'Malley wants to waive Advanced Placement test fees - baltimoresun.com

From the Press Release:

...Many other states have policies to increase AP access and success.   In Arkansas, Florida, and Kentucky, for example, the State covers the entire AP exam fee, subject to appropriations.  The State of Georgia covers a student's first AP exam in full and pays for all high school sophomores to take the PSAT/NMSQT.  Indiana covers the cost of all science and math AP exams in addition to the PSAT/NMSQT for all high school sophomores.  The State of Maine mandates that all high school sophomores take the PSAT and covers the cost of the testing.

The question for Montgomery County students would be: Would MCPS still be charging late fees and other "processing" charges on AP exams to MCPS students if the state were to pick up the AP exam fee? 


Would an AP exam ever be free for MCPS students? The AP organization doesn't charge the late fees that some MCPS high schools assess students, but that never stopped MCPS high schools from charging those fees anyway!


In addition, would the state pay the local schools their "cut" of the AP exam fee? Under the current system local schools get to keep a portion of the AP exam fee as an "administration fee." These funds go into the local school accounts, also known as slush funds, for whatever the principal desires. MCPS principals would lose out on this funding if the state paid the AP fee directly. 

.@MCPS asks for prior parent consent before students fill out PSAT/SAT personal surveyw/answers sold by @collegeboard; is parental consent required elsewhere in MD or in US?

.@MCPS asks for prior parent consent before students fill out PSAT/SAT personal surveyw/answers sold by @collegeboard; is parental consent required elsewhere in MD or in US?  @usedgov says shd be mandatory to comply w/ #ferpa #idea & #ppra https://t.co/e5tZV4p1YL @Parents4Privacy pic.twitter.com/bmDetJ9W3C

— leonie haimson (@leoniehaimson) June 13, 2018

Arizona: "Opportunity Gap" Session Cancelled

February 11: UPDATE: the session on "Closing the Opportunity Gap" has been CANCELLED.


Title: Closing the Opportunity Gap: A Technology Tool for Student Achievement

Description: The Montgomery County Public Schools, the nation’s 16th largest district, utilizes its M-State© process to ensure a thorough analysis of relevant and critical data for lasting systemic change in which success is no longer predictable by race. a unique technology tool, HAPIT© (honors/ap identification tool), has increased participation in honors and advanced placement courses by identifying students who have the ability to participate in such rigorous courses. Hear about the unique strategies that MCPS has developed to support college-going success, particularly for african american and latino students, through the use of key benchmarks and assessments, including PSAT, SAT and ACT.

Presenters: Carol Blum, Director, High School Instruction and Achievement, Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD; Frank Stetson, Community Superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD
Focus Zone: Student Achievement
Room: 127A

AASA-National Conference on Education

Next week, the AASA National Conference on Education attendees can hear a presentation on the HAPIT tool utilized by MCPS.
HERE is a Power Point presentation on the use of HAPIT in MCPS that must have been used at another conference.

Frank Stetson is listed as the speaker at the conference on February 17, 2012. But didn't he retire from MCPS last year?

Why wouldn't a current employee do the presentation? (The brochure does say speakers and sessions are subject to change. Is a different MCPS employee going instead?)

Tools to Close the Achievement Gap and Increase College Readiness
Speaker Frank Stetson 361BC 1:45pm-2:45pm
A unique technology tool, HAPIT (Honors/AP Identification Tool), was designed to identify students who have the capability, interest and motivation to participate in rigorous courses. HAPIT is based on PSAT results and other relevant student information.

Former Weast Admin. Quits Norwalk after 2 Years

Susan Marks quits as the Norwalk, CT Superintendent amid a major budget crisis.  But, not without bringing MCPS no-bid contractor Wireless Generation to Norwalk.  
Susan Marks was on Superintendent Joshua Starr's transition team.  Norwalk, CT is right down 95 from Stamford, CT.  Is Marks heading back to MCPS to be one of Starr's administrators? 


Norwalk Citizen:  Marks: 'It's been a privilege to be here'

..."It's been rumored that she would take a leave of absence...so it's not exactly a surprise. On the other hand, the timing of it is absolutely shocking," said Barbara Smyth, a former Norwalk teacher who has been organizing rallies to show support for the schools before BOE and BET meetings the last couple of months.
"As someone who has been involved so much in the last couple of months, I feel deeply concerned," Smyth said. "I feel concerned because of what we are dealing with right now, in terms of this profound budget crisis. And in addition needing to move forward with looking deeply into accounting practices and things that have been problematic that need to be fixed. There is so much work to be done and to think about moving forward without a leader is quite scary."
The $4 million deficit was caused by overruns in the insurance and other post-employee benefits...
..."We brought in over a million dollars worth of public-private partnerships for programs and initiatives," Marks said. "We are on the cutting edge of the Common Core State Standards... . I think we have raised the focus on ensuring that children are college ready. We've given the PSAT for the first time to all the 10th and 11th graders. We brought in the wireless generation automated system for assessing literacy in two of our schools, and it will be extended to a third school."...

The Hour:  Dr. Susan Marks resigns as Norwalk Public Schools superintendent

... “Personally, I think it was the lack of being able to do some things,” she said.Norwalk Federation of Teachers president Bruce Mellion was not surprised by Marks’ resignation and said she did not have the support of teachers, with 70 percent giving her a D and 30 percent an F in a May 2012 survey.
“She was over her head before she even started. The one compliment I’ll give her is she tried to get out to the schools to see what was happening,” he said. “At the end of the day, we have nothing to show for the 25 months we were here and we’re further behind than we were when we started.”
Mellion said Marks picked the wrong battles and worked with the wrong people.
“She shot her mouth off about things. She picked battles that she shouldn’t have had and she didn’t listen to people who have been here. She was really, really lost,” said Mellion, adding that Marks did not respond as well to the needs of the city’s 11,000 students. “I think she pandered to the mayor and the Board of Education and the Board of Estimate.”...

SCO: Unfair testing fees hinder education across the board

Excessive registration fees create an automatic disadvantage for low-income students

By most students' junior year, the bills begin to pile up. It usually starts with $13 for the PSAT. A couple months later, it might be $47 for the SAT, then another $18 to see a score report that's more than just three numbers out of 800. Factor in $21 for SAT Subject Tests, and in May, throw in a couple of Advanced Placement (AP) exams at $87 each. In a single school year, a student may shell out over $500 to the College Board, all in the name of college preparedness...

Black & White: Whitman receives shooting threat

This morning, a line of police cars greeted students coming into school for the PSAT.

A staff member noticed an anonymous tweet that threatened a school shooting. After notifying Principal Alan Goodwin, police officers, school security and central office personnel mobilized. The network of security examined the situation and decided there was no imminent threat, so school could open safely and on time.
Police are now trying to discover who sent the message through social media accounts and are following up on the threat. While Whitman does not usually see these kinds of dangerous situations, some schools do. Recently, there has been a sudden increase in school shootings and threats of them nationwide.
“With the advance of social media, it’s so easy for kids to make threats,” Goodwin said....

http://www.theblackandwhite.net/2015/10/14/whitman-receives-bomb-threat/