A Note from Western Region VP Al Mijares
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 Al Mijares |
I want to welcome everyone back for another great year. Here in the Western Region, we’ve been busy preparing for Fall Counselor Workshops and other professional development opportunities. We look forward to seeing many of you at these events or even in New York this October for Forum 2009.
Congratulations are in order for Westmont College admission counselor Olympia Tuliaupupu, who received the Ned Tibby Award at the College Board’s 29th Annual Summer Institute on College Admissions and School Relations in San Diego, Calif. Since 1986, this award has been given to an outstanding member of the Summer Institute class who demonstrates a commitment to the aspirations and values of admission work and exhibits high potential for leadership. We are delighted that Olympia has been recognized for her passion, her enthusiasm and her profound commitment to helping others.
The College Board’s 2009 College-Bound Seniors report was released this week. The report provides academic, demographic and socioeconomic information about students who took the SAT in 2009. This year’s group of participants was the most diverse yet, with minority students constituting 40 percent of students taking the test. Hispanic participants represent the largest and fastest-growing group of minority participants and now account for 13.5 percent of all SAT takers, compared to 7.8 percent 10 years ago. In 2008, 38 percent of test-takers were minorities, and in 1999 minorities constituted 29.2 percent of those taking the SAT. In 2008, 38 percent of test-takers were minorities, and in 1999 minorities constituted 29.2 percent of those taking the SAT. This tells us that we are making a real difference through our efforts to reach all students and help prepare them for college success.
Among this year’s participants, more than one-third reported that their parents’ highest level of education was high school, and a quarter of 2009 SAT takers reported that English is not exclusively their first language.
Here in the Western Region, we are very pleased to see further increases in minority SAT participation. In Arizona, 35 percent of the 21,007 college-bound SAT takers were minority students. This is up from 25.1 percent from 2004. More than a third (33.5 percent) of Arizona’s SAT takers are on track to be the first in their families to go to college. Oregon’s minority student participants accounted for 21.4 percent of all 18,016 SAT takers in that state, an increase from 15.7 percent in 2004. In addition, 34.4 percent of Oregon’s SAT takers will be the first in their families to go to college.
How Much Are College Students Borrowing? is another recent report from the College Board. Coauthored by College Board Senior Policy Analyst Sandy Baum, the report offers information about all students who completed an associate or bachelor’s degree or a certificate in the 2007-08 academic year. Forty-one percent of them graduated with no debt, while the number graduating with debt increased from 54 percent in 2003-04 to 59 percent in 2007-08. The largest increases were found among the students who earned certificates and two-year degrees. For more information, you can access the full report here.
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Events & Workshops
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During this pivotal time in our nation, the College Board invites you to join us for two special opportunities to connect with education professionals dedicated to effecting change and increasing college readiness.
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