The document discusses two scenarios regarding standardized test preparation and participation. Scenario A summarizes that the average SAT score at the school is lower than the state average for their district. Potential solutions include revising the SAT preparation course and curriculum to focus more on skills and incorporating test strategies. The preferred solution is to partner with an outside program to provide discounted SAT preparation and training for teachers. Scenario B notes that while 71 students took AP courses, only 16 took the corresponding AP exams. Suggested solutions involve removing extra GPA weighting for AP classes without the exam, requiring exams, or switching to the IB program. The preferred solution is having the district pay for AP exams and making them required for the associated AP courses.

1. Scenario A
Empirical: The average SAT Discrepancy: 55 points Problems:
score at DHS is 1463, but the 1. The SAT preparation course
state average for our DFG is offered currently offered to
1518. our students is content
knowledge based and not
skills knowledge based.
2. The current grade 10 and 11
Language Arts and
Mathematics curricula are
weak in the area of SAT
preparation.
3. Our school culture does not
encourage students to take
the SAT.
4. Students who do sit for the
SAT are not taking
advantage of outside SAT
preparation programs (i.e.
Kaplan, Princeton Review)
resulting in fewer SAT
practice test opportunities.
Normative: We prefer that Probable Solutions:
the average SAT score for our 1. Revise the SAT Preparation
school be closer to our DFG’s course to reflect the skills
average. needed to score well on the
SAT.
2. Revise the current grade 10
and 11 Language Arts and
Mathematics curricula to
include SAT preparation
skills and strategies.
Preferred Solution:
Invite a respected, researched based
SAT preparation program to come
into our school and offer an SAT
preparation program to our students
at a discounted rate while they also
train our Language Arts and
Mathematics departments in SAT
test taking strategies and teaching
these strategies within our curricula.

2. Scenario B
Empirical: The total number Discrepancy: 77.47% Problems:
of students registered in AP 1. The AP exam is too costly for
courses is 71, but only 16 of students who wish to take the
these students took an AP exam and the district does not
exam. cover the cost of the AP exam
for our students.
2. The students who do not take
an AP exam say there is no
need to since their grade point
average is weighted for each
AP class anyway.
3. Students fear earning a low
score on the AP exam.
Normative: All of our Probable Solutions:
students taking an AP class 1. Remove the extra weight an
should take the AP exam. AP course adds, unless a
student sits for the AP exam.
2. Require that all students who
register for an AP class take
the AP exam for that course.
3. Move away from the AP
course and move toward the
International Baccalaureate
(IB) program.
Preferred Solution:
Have the school district pay for each
AP exam and require that students
who take an AP course, take the AP
exam for that course.