BY PETER GELMAN

Starting May 4th the sound of number two pencils scratching across infinite little bubble sheets will reverberate through the classrooms of Mamaroneck High School, so this is an opportune moment to discuss the flaws inherent in the College Board’s monopoly over standardized testing and our education.

The College Board is a not-for-profit organization, but the fact that it does not exist for the purpose of making money doesn’t change that it charges fees at every opportunity. SATs, SAT IIs, and APs all cost money to sit for, and the College Board charges to have scores sent to schools or to have additional scoring services. Even though colleges and universities have accepted the ACT as a suitable substitute for the SAT, many schools still require SAT IIs, and at the most competitive schools not having taken AP classes and tests can put an applicant at a serious disadvantage. Unfortunately, the College Board has been able to put itself in a position of power over high school students by owning such an integral piece of the college application process.

Many MHS juniors and seniors were recently sent bills for the AP they have signed up to take over the next two weeks. Exams go for $86 a pop, forcing some students’ families to fork over $600 before students can sit for their tests. This sort of fee is ridiculous, and while there is an argument about whether taking seven AP tests is excessive, there is no denying that $86 for an exam is. There is an argument that because students can receive college credit by performing well on AP exams, the $86 fee can save families some tuition payments. However, fewer and fewer schools are accepting AP tests as credit so this argument is fast losing validity. In addition, students may feel restricted from taking AP courses and exams because of the costs. It is important to note that MHS does a fantastic job helping families cover the costs of the tests.

Furthermore, the College Board exercises too much control over course curriculum. Many time-pressed classes stick closely to the prescribed curriculum, giving this organization power over teachers and schools.

Given the diversity across the nation and the discrepancies between schools from different parts of the country, there is an obvious need for some sort of standardized measure of rating students. However, the College Board’s monopolistic control over this testing process has led to abuse of that power. While the abolition of the organization may be unnecessary, the College Board needs to be restructured so that the emphasis on education replaces this unfortunate emphasis on charging fees.