<p>My son's high school puts all Collegeboard scores (SAT, SAT2, AP) and ACT scores on the transcripts. When questioned, my son's (substitute) GC said that there "might" be a way to opt out of this, but she wasn't sure. </p>
<p>My son is taking the SAT2 tests on June 7, and when he signed up online they wouldn't let him change his high school code to no code. He could have taken the SAT in January without listing his high school. Perhaps he should have done that. </p>
<p>(If my son takes the ACT, there is no way he's putting a school code on that registration!)</p>
<p>The GC seemed to understand what I was saying about score privacy, but it was also clear that she wasn't going to do anything about it.</p>
<p>How have others approached their school systems to get this practice changed? I know that school systems like to know how their students score on the SAT and/or ACT, because that is included in school system statistics, but there has to be a way to get that information without automatically broadcasting all scores on every transcript for every college to see, right? </p>
<p>Thanks for any information! Before I approach the head of my school system's guidance department, I want to have as much ammunition as possible.</p>
<p>I didn't try to get the policy changed until D was well clear. I just had the GC photocopy the existng transcript with all the test scores covered and then certify that redacted copy. Worked for us.</p>
<p>If you apply to schools that don't need SAT2s and you've got better scores on the ACT than the SAT1 there's no reason for schools to see the SAT scores you want to hide. High schools shouldn't be putting SAT scores on transcripts. Curmudgeons low tech solution sounds like the easiest, but I'd work on getting the powers that be, to understand what the issues are.</p>
<p>Yes, there are various strategies to avoid sending scores.</p>
<p>And one of the big advantages to the ACT is that the students has score choice; that is, they can choose which set of scores to send to colleges. There is NO choice if the high school plasters all scores on the transcript.</p>
<p>If AP exam scores are put on the transcript, then they can affect admission, also, even if the college claims to only want SAT/SAT2/ACT scores, yes? </p>
<p>It's not as if this is benefitting the students in any way, as these transcript-reported standardized test scores are not official. Collegeboard still has to send the official scores to colleges.</p>
<p>I would elevate the request to the director of guidance. As stated above if ACT scores are best some schools don't need to see SAT scores at all. I suggest that you indicate IN WRITING that the SAT scores not be sent as part of the official transcript. Both you and your son should sign it.</p>
<p>Thank you. I'm sure there is going to be a lot of explanation necessary for this head of guidance, as I am not impressed with her credentials. Sigh... </p>
<p>I would like to clarify the issues and hopefully effect some change for all students in the school system, however. </p>
<p>Perhaps a letter to the editor in the newspaper would be one way to alert all parents about this issue.</p>
<p>Many schools have decided NOT to report any scores on the transcript unless they themselves gave the test. Our local high school has changed its policy within the last 8 years and no longer reports SAT/ACT/AP scores on the official transcript. They cited liability issues. </p>
<p>My recollection is that the College Board itself advises high schools not to report SAT, etc scores on the transcript because of the legal issues involved (of course, they do have a vested interest). </p>
<p>If you want to get the policy changed, you might want to emphasize liability issues (what is in it for THEM) primarily, with your privacy issues taking the back seat.</p>
<p>Another thing to note: some applications ask that the applicant self-report all test scores or ask the GC to report test scores on the Secondary School report. So there are a few other bases you'll have to cover if you really want to keep SAT scores in the dark.</p>
<p>We haven't faced this yet, but I know D's school puts all the scores on the transcript. When asked if they could be removed on transcripts that are sent to certain colleges, she said that would be fine as long as enough notice is given. That seemed fair to me. Of course, one never knows how smoothly these things will go if the need arises.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My recollection is that the College Board itself advises high schools not to report SAT, etc scores on the transcript because of the legal issues involved (of course, they do have a vested interest).
Great point to raise right here. And I have predicted that many schools will soon adopt the Florida state school model (FSU and UF) of having the student waive privacy rights in standardized test scores by a check-off on the app nobody seems to read and the parents are unlikely to ever see. Effectively it's "Just check the box to proceed." Those of us with MS Vista check lots of boxes we never read. ;) So do these kids. I'd be a lot more comfortable with somebody waiving their rights using a more contemplative modality than having just one mouse click to full access.</p>
<p>CB will only send scores to schools at your request.
HS can simply print scores (if they insist) on the back of the transcript, easy enough to copy only front.
The important thing is to know: Does your HS include scores on transcript?
If so, what is the opt out procedure? If there is none, get on it, our HS had
policies, procedures & practice standards for everything - except this. It was
resolved when a parent wrote the Supt, School Bd, and Principal. Anyone can opt out of scores on transcript now at our school, problem is most don't know that scores are even reported, nevermind that they have an option.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The important thing is to know: Does your HS include scores on transcript?
If so, what is the opt out procedure? If there is none, get on it, our HS had
policies, procedures & practice standards for everything - except this. It was
resolved when a parent wrote the Supt, School Bd, and Principal. Anyone can opt out of scores on transcript now at our school, problem is most don't know that scores are even reported, nevermind that they have an option.
[/quote]
Thank you. This is good information. YES, scores are on transcripts. I found that out the other day (which I suspected, since my older son had the scores on his transcript, although I never realized the implications back then). </p>
<p>I would think the opt-out could be customized (remove all scores, remove the ACT scores, remove the AP scores).</p>
<p>In Florida, its even worse now. All grades and scores become part of the FACTS system at FACTS.org (a central state run site.) One's entire high school transcript with all grades and tests scores are electronically available to all Florida U's and CC's now via FACTS. Most high schools use an elecctronic transcript program that not only downloads onto FACTS, but is separately available to instate U that have the program, and lists every FCAT score I believe going back to grade school), immunizations, ACT scores, SAT scores, AP scores. Our high school, and I believe all HS's in Florida pay for their student's AP exams, and it is not possible to op out of haviing scores sent to one's HS. With the Bright Futures programs and the tie in with FACTS, it is also difficult to keep SAT or ACT scores out of the hands of the high school. We did not want SAT scores available to state U's until D was done with her test taking and they had all sets to see, sent on our time schedule. That did not happen. She never ever listed any school or institution to receive her ACT scores, and they were on FACTS and her HS transcript.</p>
<p>sunnyflorida, scores may have appeared on FACTS b/c the high school code on the test booklet, answer sheet, was filled in. You are under no obligation to fill in a high school code. Also, for AP exam, if you choose to register as an individual via website, and not take test through your school, you are under no obligation to affiliate with the high school. You can report the scores as you see fit. Of course, you will pay the exam fee directly to CollBoard. Anyone can register for an AP exam, our high school doesn't like to acknowledge that, they prefer students don't self study (and not take the high school's classes) and the counselors give the impression that they and only they can do the registering and reporting. Here we lucky families pay for AP exams anyway, school districts and state do not, and most parents want control over the scores. I don't know about Florida, but here the high schools are required to 'count' the score when you've reported it to them. They also have counted the exam to fulfill the course requirement, which many districts have, that students take the AP exam if they are to receive course credit. Read the CB materials carefully, and know what you can do to present your student in the best light.</p>
<p>I was furious when I discovered my daughter's PSAT (both sophomore and junior year) scores on her transcript -- kids are told emphatically that the sophomore year test does not count and is not seen by anyone. My complaints didn't get anywhere.</p>
<p>Then I told another mother -- one who happens to be a lawyer. She immediately called the principal's office, talked to the principal, and warned him that there were legal and privacy issues (she cited FERPA) about releasing this data. The guidance staff was told immediately by the principal to no longer put this information on the transcript.</p>
<p>So my suggestion -- ask a parent who is a lawyer to call the principal, guidance counselor, superintendent, whoever.</p>