All Georgia 10th graders appear back on track to take the PSAT for free next month -- now that Race to the Top money is on its way.
As a cost-cutting measure, state lawmakers voted earlier this year to eliminate funding for several free tests -- including the PSAT -- for all but lower income students.
But on Thursday, the state Board of Education voted to commit about $1.1 million Race to the Top funding this year so the PSAT -- a practice version of the SAT college entrance exam -- can be given to all students at no cost in October.
Georgia is set to receive $400 million over the next four years through Race to the Top, President Obama's plan to use $4.3 billion to spur education reforms in states and local school districts. Half of Georgia's money is slated to stay at the state level, and the rest will be split among 26 local school districts that signed on to Georgia's application.
Not everyone's convinced the test is a good investment of the federal money.
"Spending scarce resources on more standardized exams, rather than on improving learning and teaching, is a tragic waste of taxpayer funds," said Bob Schaeffer with Fair Test, a group critical of standardized tests.
The governor's office has said in the past that Race to the Top money cannot be used to offset general budget issues. But funding the PSAT was a state priority and part of Georgia's Race to the Top application.
In other action Thursday, the state board adopted a model ethics policy for local school boards. This was mandated by legislation passed earlier this year after school board controversies in Clayton and Warren counties.
"I believe this action will help transform local boards of education in ways that will have a very positive effect on student achievement," said Brad Bryant, state school superintendent.
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