SAT and ACT Accommodation links

Based on testing we did in November, I believe I'll need to apply for accommodations for testing for my 15 yo for the essay.  The dysgraphia makes his written work about 6 grades lower than his typed work.  However, it's a challenge to do that.  Here's what I've found so far:


A good homeschool-focus description of the process of getting accommodations for the SAT/ACT.  I need to get started on that in the next few weeks!
http://www.learndifferently.com/SAT%20SSD.htm

And info from the college board:
I think this is only for schools but worth a call to find out:
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ssd/application/online-accommodations-eligibility-system

Overview section about Students with Disabilities and the application process:
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ssd/application

Need to check out the dysgraphia yahoo group for suggestions as well as far as documentation goes.

ACT/SAT Prep classes

Something to consider when it gets closer to SAT/ACT time...

Math Review for SAT/ACT
http://www.chalkdust.com/satrevout.html


BraveWriter:
http://www.bravewriter.com/program/online-classes/class-list/sat-act/

SAT/ACT Essay Class
Want to beat the odds on the SAT/ACT essay portion of the test? Prepare your kids. The skills they learn here will also translate into the timed writing tests they’ll take over and over in college. Truly, this is a course no high school student should be without.


The SAT/ACT Essay Class is designed for college-bound high school students (10th-12th graders) as preparation for the writing portion of both the SAT and ACT tests. Students write 1-3 essays per week plus special exercises designed to help them succeed in crafting this type of essay. This course trains students to work with their knowledge base (what they already know) while addressing sight-unseen questions.


(NOTE:  Students recommended to take the Research Paper class first:


IEW also has a SAT/ACT essay writing program: High School Essay Intensive
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/hse

This seminar presents tools and tips for tackling the timed opinion-based essay as currently included in the SAT exam, and introduces strategies for writing a well-crafted personal essay for a college application. The accompanying CD-ROM contains the .pdf files for both seminar handouts, as well as several bonus files dealing with other aspects of SAT preparation.


Statement from The College Board, Creator of the SAT Test: "Our own research involving the test scores of more than 150,000 students admitted to more than 100 colleges and universities shows that, of all the sections of the SAT, the writing section is the most predictive of college success..

NCSU's Psychoeducational Clinic

NCSU has a full psych-ed testing clinic -- which can test for learning disabilities, processing disorders, dyslexia, working memory problems, etc.  We used them this year for my 9th grader -- a full battery ran $1050 but it also achieved academic testing (Woodcock Johnson) for the year. One pre-meeting, 2 3/4 days of testing, 1 post testing consult.

The person who did the testing for us used to work at Mel Levine's All Minds at a Time and my son was very comfortable with her. End result was a very extensive report with all test results -- and a lot of resources for working with challenges found.  Not for everyone, but when the time's right, this is a good place to check out.

http://psychology.chass.ncsu.edu/pss/facilities/clinic/

ACT vs. SAT

Differences between the ACT and SAT:
http://www.math.com/students/kaplan/satoract.html

A good analysis of who does better on the ACT vs. the SAT.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/education/edlife/guidance.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2

SAT and ACT Accomodations

A very good article about the steps homeschoolers would need to go through to get accommodations for taking tests -- like more time...
http://learndifferently.com/SAT%20SSD.htm