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District staff recommend switching school‑day testing from ACT to SAT; board to notify families
Summary
District staff, led by Elizabeth Long, recommended the district move its school‑day college‑entrance testing from the ACT to the SAT, citing a stabilized SAT digital platform, shorter test length and free College Board/Khan Academy supports; the change requires communication and a runway for currently enrolled students.
Revere Local staff told the board on Feb. 11 they are recommending the district change its school‑day college‑entrance exam from the ACT to the SAT for future administrations, citing the SAT’s completed digital redesign and a larger suite of free preparation tools.
Elizabeth Long, the district’s point person on assessments, explained that the SAT’s digital format has stabilized and aligns with College Board platforms (PSAT, SAT, AP) and that free targeted practice is available through Khan Academy and Schoolhouse World. District staff also cited uncertainty in the ACT’s near‑term testing changes and said some college admissions offices are still determining how they will use evolving ACT formats.
Staff compared timing and format: the district noted the ACT’s current paper/digital hybrid is about 3 hours 5 minutes with roughly 215 questions (plus an optional 40‑minute writing section), while the new digital SAT is about 2 hours 24 minutes with 98 items and uses an adaptive section in reading and writing; staff said the SAT’s shorter overall administration may be a better fit for the school day. Staff also said the SAT/PSAT alignment simplifies reporting and gives teachers usable diagnostic data from PSAT results.
Staff recommended a long runway for communication—informing families early—and proposed the change for incoming cohorts so current juniors would still take the district ACT in March; no final board vote was taken. The district said it will provide students opportunities to take either test independently if they choose.
