Redesign for the SAT

It looks as though the SAT is in for a redesign. An email, dated Feb 25, from College Board President David Coleman (whose appointment was announced in May 2012) broadcasts the effort:

In the months ahead, the College Board will begin an effort in collaboration with its membership to redesign the SAT® so that it better meets the needs of students, schools, and colleges at all levels. We will develop an assessment that mirrors the work that students will do in college so that they will practice the work they need to do to complete college. An improved SAT will strongly focus on the core knowledge and skills that evidence shows are most important to prepare students for the rigors of college and career. This is an ambitious endeavor, and one that will only succeed with the leadership of our Board of Trustees, the strong coordination of our councils and committees, and the full engagement of our membership.

President Coleman goes on to outline the key goals:

As we begin the redesign process, there are three broad objectives that will drive our work:

• Increase the value of the SAT to students by focusing on a core set of knowledge and skills that are essential to college and career success; reinforcing the practice of enriching and valuable schoolwork; fostering greater opportunities for students to make successful transitions into postsecondary education; and ensuring equity and fairness. 
• Increase the value of the SAT to higher education professionals by ensuring that the SAT meets the evolving needs of admission officers, faculty, and other administrators, and that the SAT remains a valid and reliable predictor of college success.
• Increase the value of the SAT to K–12 educators, administrators and counselors by strengthening the alignment of the SAT to college and career readiness; ensuring that the content reflects excellence in classroom instruction; and developing companion tools that allow educators to use SAT results to improve curriculum and instruction.

College Board Vice President James Montoya and Executive Director Fabrizio D'Aloisio will lead the effort in collecting feedback from stakeholders. Marketplace (APM) has a Feb 27 segment featuring the makeover and a couple of industry quotes. Stay tuned.