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This article is about a silver-lining in the cloud of standardized testing for college bound students who learn differently. As an educator with over 20 years of experience working throughout the country with students of all ages, I fervently embrace the opportunity to do away with inequitable standardized tests in the college admissions process! Read on to learn how the impacts of COVID-19 have upset this long-time standard practice that doesn’t serve Neurodiverse students! 

College bound students throughout the United States experienced an abrupt halt in their plans to take standardized tests in March of 2020. Due to the impacts of Covid-19, ACT and SAT tests were cancelled.

Many public and private colleges responded to the ongoing pandemic by becoming “test optional (TO).” We are currently in our second admissions cycle (for the Class of 2022), and the list of Test Optional Colleges continues to grow! The complete list of TO schools continues to increase daily, currently including over two-thirds of all colleges in the U.S. As of November, 2021, it has been reported by Fair Test that 75% of colleges (over 1,810 institutions), do not require college-bound students to submit standardized test scores. If scores are reported, they might increase an applicant’s chances in getting an acceptance. The holdouts are still the public University colleges in Florida, which are still requiring standardized test scores to be admitted with applications. However, students applying to colleges should clarify whether or not the particular program that they are applying to requires standardized testing or not. Even within the Florida State System, not all programs require test scores. In order to attain the most up-to-date list of colleges that are TO, go to:

www.Fairtest.org/university/optional

A few schools have also opted to go, “Test Blind (TB),” which means that even if a student submits a standardized test score, it will not be considered in the application process. While the UC schools did not voluntarily adopt this option, in September of 2020, they were mandated by Judge Brad Seligman in the California courts to become “Test Blind.” In a lawsuit against the UC system, attorneys argued that applicants with disabilities were denied access to this opportunity to augment their candidacy because they weren’t able to get the necessary testing accommodations needed for fair test administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the California State System announced that they will remain Test Blind until or unless they find or create a suitable replacement test. Read more about this at: https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2021/11/uc-admissions-no-tests/

If you 're trying to decide whether or not to take a standardized test, there are numerous important considerations beyond the role of scores in college admissions. I highly recommend that you consult an IEC or other professional before scheduling a test. 

Article By: April Miller

1. They provide you with experiences that make you a unique standout against other applicants who have the same quantitative profile (tests and scores) as you do.

2. With the increasing number of Colleges and Universities that are choosing “test optional” for SATs and ACTs, (both prior to covid-19 and also in direct response to it), qualitative measures have more weight in the application process. (FACT: As of November 21st, 2021, over 75% of colleges in the U.S. are now test optional)

3. Character building translates into assets that colleges want in their student body.

4. The experiences give you a topic to write your College Essays on.

5. Purposeful activity involvement may lead to qualifying for more financial scholarships. 

6. Some Scholarship Applications require a minimal amount of community service hours to be completed during High School, (Bright Futures Scholarships in Florida require 100 hours).

7. Acquired skills may increase your candidacy for jobs / internships.

8. Extracurricular activities provide an outlet for meaningful and purposeful development of your non-academic passions, abilities, values and personality.

9. Communication and relationship skills developed while working with peers (in a non-academic and less structured setting), enhance teamwork and leadership capabilities for future career(s).

10. Consistency and depth of involvement in an activity may empower you to embrace leadership opportunities which will build your character and augment your value in the world of work.

1. Most students with LDND require 4-6 years of Higher Education to earn a Bachelors Degree. Without the Pre-College year and the necessary development of college readiness skills, they may need more time to get through college, and experience significant struggles in the process.

2. There is an opportunity cost to NOT doing a Pre-College Program because if the first year of college is unsuccessful, you are out a year of college expenses and a year of time.

3. LDND Students who fail to thrive in college have a higher rate of depression, alcoholism and drug addiction.

4. When students experience failure in College it becomes more difficult to re-launch 

A Pre-College Transition Program can facilitate the following: 

5. Development of Independent Daily Living Skills in a supervised environment

1. Meal Prep
2. Laundry
3. Roomate Relationships
4. Money Management
5. Medical Management

6. Development of  Executive Functioning Skills

1. Time Management
2. Schedule Management

7. Development of Academic Skills

1. Notetaking and Study Skills
2. Acclimate to College Rigor

8. Development of Career Skills

   1. Resume Writing

   2. Interviewing

   3. Taking your LD to work

   4. Work skills

   5. Professional Relationships

 9. Development of Self-Advocacy Skills

1. Identifying Needs and Resources for getting them met
2. Develop skills in a work setting
3. Develop skills in an academic setting
4. Develop interpersonal skills
5. Develop Health and Wellness skills, including Stress Management Skills

10. Pre-College prepares you to become an independent college student who can implement successful strategies for balancing the demands of college life!

Windsor Education Law’s singular focus is to bring about a positive educational result for

students of all ages from Kindergarten through Graduate school and beyond by obtaining their

educational rights and ensuring full school compliance. We help college and graduate school students with attaining testing accommodations and academic accommodations.

This is accomplished by developing a holistic solution that will help each unique student achieve

their maximum educational success. Windsor Education Law has extensive experience with the

myriad of federal, state and local regulations defining the rights of students, and how educational

support must be provided. Windsor Law LLC understands that each student that comes through

our door represents the future and holds the possibility of a bright future for all society. 

Please explore our website to learn more about how we can support you on your journey into and through Higher Education:

www.windsoreducationlaw.com