SAT prep and the artistic mind

<p>My story, my son’s story:</p>

<p>My son was labeled when he was 8 with learning disability
in written expression. Now he is thinking of the future. I am blessed
that he has a passion for computers, photography, and
editing. His passion is known by everyone he encounters.
His teachers in high school are impressed with his
knowledge and ability to use these skills and implement it
in his school work. re: He will make a brochure to report
on a subject, He can make an I movie as a report on a
topic. He will avoid wrting if given the chance. He speaks
with intelligence and is at ease on his feet in front of a
crowd. Thank goodness for his love, drive and ability in
these areas.</p>

<p>He is a junior and soon to be a senior. We looked at a
state university, private college, and an art school. He
loved the art school. He can get a BS from the art school.
The art school is not your typical college. One building,
urban setting, and very specialized. We liked it. It seems
to fit him.</p>

<p>He just looked up his SAT score. They were in the high
600’s. He was disappointed, We were taken back. We were
hoping for something around 800 to 850. State college and
private college seem to be out of reach with these lower
scores.</p>

<p>Questions: Should we have him prep for the SAT ? He could
take it again with accomadation. He did not have any
accomadation the 1st time. Perhaps with the accomadation
and prep he scores would improve. A better score the second
time around might make him realize that your typical
college is not out of reach.</p>

<p>He does not need to have a SAT to get into the art school.
Why should he spend time doing the work if it is not needed
for entrance? We feel the extra study will be good for him
because some type of studying would raise his level of
awareness in these academic subjects. He will be taking
academic subjects at the art school, but he appears that
SAT does not influence who gets in to the art school. He has been able to maintain a 2.89 average in high school with very little accomadation. He is at the middle of the class in rank.</p>

<p>Do you think that the SAT really shows a person’s ability?</p>

<p>My son is not excited about prepping and studying some of
the topics that would be seen on the SAT. He studies what
he loves.(computers, photography, and editing programs.)</p>

<p>My son sees me as a person who is pushing things he does
not like. It can be tense between us. I know working on
reading and vocabulary skills can raise his level of
awareness.</p>

<p>People who worked with my son (gr 4-8) cautioned me to not
push so him too much. There were many times I backed off.
Every night of his school career I would say, do you have
homework?, I can truely tell you that a few teachers made
him work. The ones who were demanding were the ones he
worked for. In history courses he could sit next to his
gifted friends and get an A if he was feeling comfortable
with the teacher and motivaed by the teacher.</p>

<p>I know this is a very long post. You might have guessed
that I am a teacher. I teach the primary aged students. I
can’t seem to inspire him to work a little harder and
master some of the things like reading , writing, and math
that will impact him later in a job.</p>

<p>I am hoping since you read this board someone out there can
give me some advice. I am thankful for his passions and
know that he is self motivated for something he will be
able to make a living with.</p>

<p>Opinions please and understanding.</p>

<p>Is there a name for the disability your son has?</p>

<p>I understand the frustration of having a child who is not wired to excel in the current high school format. However, if your son has been able to maintain a nearly B average (I realize that is like straight F’s to most CC students but it is average for most kids) then he probably has mastered the basic writing skills that he needs for going into the art business. He is fortunate to know what school he wishes to attend and hopefully, he will be accepted. If not, there are plenty of SAT optional schools out there that would accept your son. It is easy to say and hard to do, but let your son run with what he is good at. He will end up with a BS and have the gift of having pursued his passion. Why make him take a test that he really doesn’t wish to prep for for a school that he doesn’t wish to attend? If you want him to take it strictly for the idea of keeping as many doors open as possible (always my mantra since kids change their minds a lot during hs), then I would try bribery. Offer him new equipment or an opportunity for something he needs/loves for his art passion in exchange for his work on getting a better SAT score. One thing that may come out of it is an opportunity to attend a state school with a great design department that he hasn’t considered to date. One thing I know: kids will only do what they want to do. We can “make” them take certain classes or tests, but we cannot make them excel. They must be self motivated to accomplish certain things. Good luck.</p>

<p>And one more thing… if he does prep do not stick him in one of those group classes where they address general strategies and review grammar, etc. Hire a private tutor who can work with him on what he needs in a way he can learn.</p>

<p>Thanks for your insight and good advice. I am slightly concerned with letting my instincts rule on this but what you say is right. I know that I will be forcing what I want. It is hard when you live with and are related to people who have kids going the traditional route. Your comments are to the point and realistic. I need to let him be who he is. He is a good kid. He has good friends, no problems with drugs or drinking. His friends respect his knowledge and he is fine with what they will be doing and what he wants to do.</p>