April 21, 1999

 

County High Schools Receive $290,000 Grant to Prepare Under-represented Students for SATs

 

Santa Barbara County's 10 comprehensive high schools received a combined $290,000 from the state to help under-represented students prepare for the SAT college entrance exams.

The College Preparatory Partnership Program grant, obtained through a competitive application process, provides funds for 20-hour programs held outside the normal day. Scores must be monitored and reported to the state.

Grant funds cover the cost of the SAT preparation courses as well as a half-time clerical person to coordinate the program.

"The SAT tests given by Educational Testing Service serve as important admission criteria for college and universities," explained County Superintendent Bill Cirone, whose office coordinated the grant application process.

"Children of affluent families have often had access to commercial SAT preparation courses that have proven to raise test scores," he explained.

"Lower income students have not had the same access and have traditionally scored far lower than their more affluent peers. To the extent that these courses help students score higher on these admission filters, they will help increase students' chances for college admission."

Individual schools will identify students for the program. Each school provided an estimate of student numbers and associated costs as part of the application process.

In early summer, prospective course providers will make presentations to the schools and each school will select a provider to conduct the program.

Further information is available from SBCEO assistant superintendent Paul Cordeiro at 964-4711, ext. 5267 or from individual high schools.