As a public school college counselor, I have seen the realty behind “the right test prep is what they need” in 4 scenarios. This is what plays out in many large public high schools.

(Pssst...The majority of students). https://twitter.com/akilbello/status/1297927405483458560

1-Students who’s families can’t afford it, or who don’t have the advocates, don’t do test prep. Period. An after school classroom based model, at a discount, is still around $600. There may be 1 scholarship for every 10 paying students. Those scholarships require hoop jumping.

2 - The more expensive version of test prep beyond the classroom discount model include 1-1 tutoring, in home tutoring, after lacrosse practice tutoring, weekend tutoring, virtual tutoring. These tutors are usually pretty good. Do they do pro bono, yes, but is this access? No.

3 - “Free” or “low cost” online test prep. The Collegeboard & ACT have partnered w/ test prep companies that offer either embedded online test prep or supplemental prep. So even the testing companies are making money off the the prep companies, who are making money off students

4 - Some schools integrate test prep into their math, ELA, & writing curriculum to help students get higher scores on tests or just to meet state accountability (aka “college ready”). This is essentially “teaching to the test”, you know, to make students better test takers?

The answer is not test prep or guided curriculum. The equitable, inclusive, transparent & fair solution to this, is the one that addresses the elephant in the room. College must eliminate this type of gate keeping. Higher scores are paid for. #TestOptional

Colleges: High schools CANNOT & Should NOT be testing students now, not this fall, & probably not this spring. Your test optional for 1 year is crippling us & undermining our ability to advise students. At a minimum, Test optional for 2021-22 or the privlidged will find a way...