Kent School District students in grades 8, 10, 11, and 12 can now participate in the College Readiness Pathway, a free, in-school college entrance exam day scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 16.

College Readiness Pathway fosters a college-going culture and increases access to college, especially among first-generation, college-bound students. College preparation tests can also be an important tool for assessing students’ mastery of standards in mathematics, reading, and writing, and for evaluating education policies and programs to determine how well the district and school are serving all of their students.

KSD offers the ReadiStep test for eighth grade students, the PSAT for tenth and eleventh grade students, and the SAT for twelfth grade students.

“Every time we send a kid to college, it is a win-win for the student and the family, as well as a win-win for our district and the community,” said School Improvement Officer Eric Hong. “By providing this suite of assessments at no cost, we are providing greater opportunities for all students to attend college.”

Enabling students to take the PSAT or the SAT during the school day ensures that promising students who might otherwise face barriers to standard Saturday testing—such as part-time jobs or family responsibilities—do not miss out on a chance to take these required tests for the college admission process. And by providing these students with the opportunity to take the exam free of charge, the district has also removed any financial challenges that might further reduce students’ chances of participating.

During the 2013-14 academic year, the SAT will be administered during the school day to all public school juniors and/or seniors in two states and the District of Columbia, and to students in more than 60 districts in 12 additional states.