1. + Why We Should Have A Competitive PSAT Program By: Scott Martin and Lauren Patton

2. + THE PSAT 1. It’s often considered the most prestigious scholarship program in the country. 2. Colleges often value the award more than grade-point average (GPA) or class rank when determining whether or not to accept a student. 3. Schools can obtain state-wide or national attention with a large amount of high-achieving National Merit Scholars. 4. Schools and school districts can take pride in providing students with excellent education to excel on tests as well as the ability to continue into college equipped with vital study skills learned through a PSAT program. Why should schools push their student’s to take the PSAT in in 11 th grade order to pursue a National Merit Scholarship?

3. + OUR CURRENT SITUATION Students of McKinney Boyd High School of feel like there is not a complete or effective program to prepare for the PSAT sophomore or junior year. Boyd has begun to fall behind surrounding schools, which benefits neither the grand establishment of Boyd, nor the students of this school. Many students aren’t aware of the benefits of taking the test or what a National Merit Scholarship can mean for their future. This is something the school should help guide the students towards in the hopes of them achieving this high honor.

4. + OUR CURRENT SITUATION In 2016 McKinney Boyd High School achieved record low results. McKinney Boyd 2016: Semifinalists-2, Commended- 17, Hispanic-6, African American-0 LinkLink Semifinalists of other area schools LinkLink

5. Flower MoundMcKinney Boyd -Enrollment: Approx. 2,500 students (10-12) -Teacher to Student Ratio: 16/1 -Year Founded: 1999 (16 years) -National Merit Semifinalists 2016: 33 students LinkLink -Commended: -90 -Enrollment: Approx. 2,900 -Teacher to Student Ratio: 15/1 -Year Founded: 2006 109 years) -National Merit Semifinalists 2016: 2 students LinkLink -Commended: -17

6. + Process The best way to prepare for the PSAT is to take challenging courses, read widely, write frequently, and develop problem-solving skills both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities. These are the same habits that prepare students for the SAT and AP exams as well as college and career. Establishing a PSAT Program- PSAT Team Purpose: The purpose of the PSAT Team will be to maximize the scores on the PSAT/NMQT. We would like to increase our number of National Merit Semi Finalist and Finalists, National Hispanic Scholars, and National Achievement Scholars. Link to PSAT Team Overview

7. + Key Benefits A $2,500 scholarship Colleges are more attracted to National Merit Scholars, and provide a range of scholarships Over 50 colleges even provide full scholarships. Examples: Arizona State University of Alabama Baylor University of North Texas University of Texas (Arlington, Dallas, and Tyler) Benefits of a National Merit Scholar

8. + School Districts to Examine and Follow Lewisville ISD: 69 Semifinalist in 2016. Flower Mound High is the program that has the most high functioning PSAT program. The PSAT Team. Flower Mound now sells their PSAT curriculum. Highland Park ISD: 80 sophomores were picked for the last round of PSAT tutoring last summer. Participants pay $400. Teachers trained with private test consultants in Houston and College Board to gather tools to help students prepare for the PSAT. 14 semifinalists in 2015 (only one high school). Plano ISD: The top-scoring 4-6% of sophomores are invited to take 35 hours of PSAT tutoring through the district’s advanced academics department. Enrollment averages 100 students. Participants pay a $120 fee. 78 semifinalists in 2015, 46 from Plano West alone. Coppell ISD: 36 Semifinalist in 2016 Blue Valley School District, KS: A highly driven school district in Kansas with 30 National Merit Finalists in 2014 and 41 National Merit Finalists in 2015.

9. + Is is all about tests? The current culture of education is reevaluating the focus on “teaching to a test”. Regardless of philosophy or goals the PSAT and other tests are still a major component of college readiness and preparedness. We must help our students navigate this process and maximize their potential. It is not the end all be all, but increased PSAT and SAT/ACT scores provide students with more options while becoming more well rounded students.”.