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Committee Hears Request to Expand Schmoop Test‑Prep; Sponsor Seeks $500K Ongoing
Summary
Sponsors pitched expanding the state’s Schmoop ACT prep program into middle grades and adding AP and ASVAB prep, citing a case study that showed a 3‑point ACT gain after about eight hours of use; the RFA asks for $500,000 ongoing.
Representatives presented an RFA to expand Schmoop, a digital test‑prep tool currently provided for Utah juniors, into earlier grades and to offer AP and ASVAB test preparation.
Schmoop CEO Andrew Caldwell described platform features (humor, short drills and unlimited practice exams) and cited a case study in which Mountain Heights Academy students who used Schmoop for about eight hours improved roughly three ACT points. Caldwell said an expanded program would cost about $500,000 ongoing and that expanding participation would lower the per‑student cost from about $9 to roughly $2.31 per student under their projections.
Representative Moss and other members noted teachers already offer AP and ACT preparation through classes and after‑school programs and cautioned that vendor tools should complement rather than replace teacher instruction. The Schmoop presenter said the platform is intended to augment classroom instruction and offer consistent, widely accessible practice.
What’s next: The committee heard the presentation and asked clarifying questions on pedagogy and program costs; no appropriation vote was recorded.
