By Dan Murphy
High School juniors and seniors taking the SAT exam are asking for extra time to complete the college entrance tests at much higher numbers than just 10 years ago. The way in which students are given extra SAT time is by getting special allowances for test taking due to a 504 designation, which applies to students who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or other stress-related medical barriers, to complete the exam within the normal time.
The way in which students obtain the 504 designation is through a private doctor or psychologist examination and recommendation. And students from wealthier communities or school districts are receiving the designation at higher rates than poorer school districts.
The Wall Street Journal recently conducted a survey of school districts across the county and highlighted Scarsdale High School for its story.
“At Scarsdale High School north of New York City, one in five students is eligible for extra time or another accommodation such as a separate room for taking the SAT or ACT college entrance exam,” wrote xxxxxxx for WSJ.
A Connecticut Principal said, “Do I think that more than 30 percent of our students have a disability? No. We have a history of over-identification (as learning-challenged) that is certainly an issue in the district.”
Federal statistics show that public high school students overall getting the special allowance has tripled from 2000-2012 and extra SAT time has surged, with 4.2 percent of students in wealthy school districts getting the extra time, compared to 1.6 percent for poorer school districts.
Colleges are not notified if the student was given extra time when provided with their SAT score. In order to receive extra time, students must be given an Independent Education Program, and the number of requests for extra time has surged by 200 percent from 2010 to 2017. The request usually comes from the high school where the student is attending and is almost always approved, at a rate of 94 percent by the College Board, which administers the SAT.
Wealthier parents can pay for an outside evaluation if the school district doesn’t agree to one. A professional IEP review can cost up to $5,000. Poorer families cannot afford the IEP and many don’t know the extra time is available for their child.
The review of 504 designations come amid accusations of wealthy and influential parents using improper and illegal means to get their children into the college of their choice. One college counselor embroiled in the scandal, William Singer, admitted having another person take the SAT for students of wealthy celebrities.
Actress Felicity Huffman pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud for paying Rick Singer, the nationwide scheme’s alleged mastermind, $15,000 to have someone correct SAT answers for her oldest daughter. Prosecutors are asking for a four-month prison sentence for Huffman.
And actress Lori Loughlin has been charged, but has not pled guilty for allegedly paying $500,000 to help get her daughter into USC.
No Westchester family has yet to be charged in the nationwide scandal.
