After a successful pilot program instituted last year that resulted in a dramatic improvement, the North Bergen Board of Education has decided to continue its special classes to properly prepare high school juniors to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
The program, spearheaded by North Bergen Mayor and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Sacco, began last year. It featured teachers learning the Princeton Review method of test taking strategies and instructing the students on the proper ways to take the test.
The students who volunteered for the project met on their free time, during lunch or study periods, with instructors who worked on strategies and points to look for in taking the test. The students had one period a week concentrating on the math portion of the test and one session concentrating on the verbal portion.
The 11-week course was a rousing success, with students achieving an average of 66 points higher on their scores.
“We thought it was a home run,” said Dr. Edward Sahagian, the district math supervisor. “Due to the success of the results, we decided that it would be beneficial to our students.”
The program was so successful last year that the Board of Education decided to run the program for a second year.
“The Board of Education and our staff are committed to the education of the students,” Superintendent of Schools Peter Fischbach said. “This program only enhances their chances to gain acceptance into the college or university of their choice.”
The voluntary program made a favorable impression on the students and there is a larger turnout this year. Approximately half of the juniors enrolled in the school, nearly 250, are participating in the program, which began last week.
Jairo Restrepo knew that he had to improve his SAT scores if he wanted to get into a good college.
“I took the PSATs and felt like I really needed help,” Restrepo said. “I have to start thinking about college now. I think this program will be very helpful in learning to find things in taking the SAT that I never would have thought about.”
Mary Binikos, a fellow junior, agreed.
“I didn’t know half of the things about the SAT,” said Binikos, who has already taken the SAT once. “When I took it, I didn’t know half of the questions that were on it. This class has been a big help in learning the strategies, how to eliminate some answers and find the best possible answers. I want to study special education in college, so it’s really important for me to get better SAT scores. When I take the test again, I will be more prepared and it will be much easier for me.”
Sahagian feels that the program serves a dual role for North Bergen students specifically.
“In an urban area like North Bergen, our students have other obligations, like jobs or taking care of family members at home,” Sahagian said. “So it’s almost impossible for them to take the Princeton Review. Plus, it costs $1,000 and our students have families who would have trouble meeting that cost. We went well beyond expectations with the pilot program and that’s why we had to continue it. The numbers are phenomenal for a pilot project. And the improvement is across the board.”
Vice Principal George Solter, who served on the committee to design the new program, reiterated the importance of the program.
“One of the first things that colleges look at on applications is the SAT scores,” Solter said. “It’s an easy thing for the students to understand. They know they have to get better SAT scores and they see that this is an easy way for them to improve.”
The classes will continue through May, when most of the juniors are slated to take the SAT tests again.