Education Service Center Region 12

Title:

SAT Academy

Location / Contact:

Belton High School, Belton ISD
Susan Kincannon (skincannon@bisd.net)

Short Synopsis:

Build skills and prepare all types of college bound students to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Description:

The SAT Academy has been in existence since the spring of 2000. The Academy allows for twenty-four hours of instruction and is offered 3 times per year- fall, spring and summer Classroom activities conducted by experienced professional educators address the following three main areas in which students need proficiency to improve performance on the SAT: Math, Vocabulary, Verbal Strategies. Teachers are paid a $1,800 stipend per session to provide the instruction. Most sessions require two teachers who either teach the verbal or the math portions. Teachers are responsible for advertising the academy, registering the students and developing lessons.

Evidence of Success:

Students attending the SAT Academy are performing at a higher level than local, state and national averages. The SAT Academy has served a total of 360 students to date. Final SAT scores are available for 202 students (56%). The following table shows Belton High School average math and verbal SAT scores in comparison with state and national averages:

	Belton Math	Texas Math	National Math	Belton Verbal	Texas Verbal	National
2000	495	500	514	505	493	505
2001	523	499	514	518	493	506
2002	509	500	516	505	491	504
2003	524	500	519	513	493	507

Higher achievement results of students attending the BISD academy fall in line with studies conducted on other coaching courses. The College Board reports that students who attend these types of courses approach the test with a confident and positive attitude. This comes from the familiarization with the test and basic test-taking techniques. While students could prepare for the SAT test on their own, many need a more structured approach. It is a matter of motivation, time and personal learning style.

Recognition:

Belton ISD SAT Academy has produced Commended and Semi-finalists in the National Merit Scholarships Program. The Academy was recognized at the Belton ISD September Board Meeting.