The College Board is the organization responsible for developing, administering, and scoring the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), and the Advanced Placement Program. Their Web site provides studying tools and testing information, including a sign-up to have grade-specific e-newsletters and the “Official SAT Question of the Day” sent to you by email. All are free practice materials.

“Taming the College Admissions Beast” (http://www.collegeadmissionsbeast.com/ is another helpful Web site for families preparing for the college years. Created by two San Francisco public school parents, this “friendly pathway through the information jungle” is packed with tips, resources, deadline reminders and announcements.

OUSD school counselors are simply overburdened, so it is wise for parents and students to do some independent research and preparation for these important tests.

The principal at Skyline last year missed the boat on many things. Thank God she sent on down 580 to another city.

Oh, well, maybe our family wasn’t notified because he’s a Spec. Ed. student, and doesn’t test worth a darn, so there wasn’t any point to him taking the PSAT. Maybe the general ed population got the word – but, I still wonder how we missed it, since our boy’s been in all general ed classes (with appropriate supports) since the 4th grade.