When you enter high school, the word “college” is usually thrown around campus even at home. There are extra curricular classes on campus like AVID that prepare you for “college life” and the ways to excel. Chino Valley Unified School District has given the PSAT from 8th grade to 10th grade to prepare students for the SAT when they enter 11th and 12th grade. (It is helpful to be given the practice for one of the biggest test before entering college.)  It seems illogical when someone who does not plan for college still has to take the SAT.

The test is to see where students stand in mathematics and language arts for the upcoming year, it is also a way of acceptance into college. There is a reason to why taking the test is helpful, but there is not a logical reason for those who are not leaning towards the “college way”. Can it be possible that schools are pushing college down students’ throats?

There are changes every year to come up with new strategies for students when it comes to test taking. There are people that believe the SAT causes intense anxiety. Nowadays, students stress over anything that involves tests since colleges have high standards. There is nothing wrong with having standards especially when trying to walk the college path. According to an article,”The Story Behind the SAT Overhaul”, by The New York Times, has overseen president of the College Board, David Coleman, who has his own opinions about the SAT. Coleman has seen the drastic change in schools and their focuses.

Those who are in high school right now might remember “Common Core” which was introduced in 2009. Common Core was the new way of preparing kids to get better in language arts and mathematics. It is not easy to start with the CST’s then randomly switch to Common Core because students are used to the old material and then having to change seems pretty odd. For the “back to school night’ not even parents understood to why their young ones were practicing new material. Till this day there are people who question the new changes and how it effects students.

The electives that are on campus do look good on college applications as well as giving hands on experience. Any opportunity open to students are always the best chances to take before going into college. Extracurricular activities have changed over time to better the students, give more options to explore new things, and give students time to possibly decide what their future might hold.

CVUSD did not have such college based classes 20 years ago compared to what students have now. Every student chooses a pathway for their future, but only a limited amount will live up to the standards to pursue that future. It is common sense that the school advocates 11th graders to take the SAT more so 12th graders.

The district does push for students to take the SAT at least once, but know that the test is not required. Most colleges do expect to see the SAT scores when it comes to applying. There has been a change in schools to push college to student to give them options and opportunities that probably their parents were not given.

First generation high school graduates rank from 57 percent to 73 percent within five years. Schools that give opportunities are the ones to improve, which is amazing that adults care for students education. CVUSD has made some drastic changes that do leave an effect on students to do better and become successful.