Over 2 million students take the SAT every year, but why? How do SAT scores relate to college admissions? What is it like to take the test? Who benefits from the SAT?

In the Spring of 2015, CUP collaborated with teaching artist Max Allbee and curious students from Lyons Commnity School in East Williamsburg to look into standardized testing, focusing on the SAT. They knew from their own test-taking experiences the ups and downs of the SAT, and wanted to know more about the background and future of the test.

The class interviewed author and National Public Radio (NPR) Lead Digital Education Reporter Anya Kamenetz as well as educator and Associate Provost for Enrollment Services at the Teachers College of Columbia University Dr. Thomas P. Rock, to find out why the SAT is the dominant test used for college admissions. They made this foldout poster to break down the SAT and highlight the perspectives they researched.  

Get your own poster here!

What People are Saying

“The drawings were the best and most successful part of our project. We were able to come together to create a visual outline of our ideas to help younger students understand this complex test.” – Kimani Smith, Student from “Test Ride”

“I feel more involved and informed after this class. We were able to get to the root of the SAT.” – Autumn Haynes, Student from “Test Ride”

“I appreciate being able to bring my wacky thematic and stylistic ideas to try and capture these complex ideas in visually fun ways. As a CUP Teaching Artist I’m very aware of the real privilege it is to work on these projects. CUP brings a meaningful opportunity for students to collaborate with working artists on current topics of significant social and political importance.” – Max Allbee, Teaching Artist

Resources & Links

Lyons Community School is a small school in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, committed to providing a broad, stimulating experience in the liberal arts, and preparing students in grades 6 – 12 for college, healthy adulthood and life-long learning.

Funding Support

This project was made possible by the Bay and Paul Foundations and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional support was provided by City Council Member Antonio Reynoso.

Special Thanks

Anya Kamenetz, Oscar Nuñez, Kevin Park, Dr. Thomas P. Rock, Sandy Xu

Participants

  • CUP
  • Teaching Artist
  • Max Allbee
  • Project Lead
  • Jenn Anne Williams
  • Project Support
  • Christy Herbes 
  • Lyons Community School
  • Students
  • Kiecha Alford
  • Brandon Barragan
  • Chris Barragan
  • Tefan Cato
  • Priscilla Clayton
  • Ezequiel Collado
  • Shawnay Crowder
  • Stefany Fajardo
  • Tahj Fox Elliott
  • Angelly Germonsen
  • Michelle Gonzalez
  • Kashonna Green
  • Benjamin Hawkins
  • Autumn Haynes
  • Itai Hernandez
  • Kyle Joseph
  • Kemi Karim
  • Sylvia Lovell
  • Nataina Mervilus
  • Faith Redman
  • Kimani Smith
  • Tiara Santiago
  • Christopher Toledo
  • Bryan Torres
  • Lesainy Vargas
  • Benjamin Ukoh
  • Classroom Teacher
  • Kasi Addison

  • Program Coordinator
  • Jody Madell