In recent years, educational leaders nationwide have embraced the opportunity to rethink high school assessment systems, prioritizing tools that better prepare students for college and career readiness. While California continues to rely on the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC) for 11th-grade accountability under the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), many states have transitioned to using college admissions exams such as the SAT or ACT. These states have recognized the dual benefits of aligning assessment systems with post-secondary goals and removing barriers to college access for students. It is time for California to follow suit by adopting the SAT as the primary accountability measure for high school juniors.

National trends: SAT and ACT as accountability tools Across the country, a growing number of states have replaced their high school summative assessments with the SAT or ACT. These assessments not only meet federal accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) but also serve as college admissions exams, offering students a meaningful, actionable and widely recognized credential. Among the states leading this charge are:

Illinois: Since 2017, Illinois has administered the SAT to all 11th-grade students as part of its accountability system. This shift has streamlined the assessment process while enhancing college access, particularly for low-income students who previously faced barriers to registering for and taking the SAT on their own.

Colorado: Colorado transitioned from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers to the SAT in 2017. The state recognized the SAT’s potential to reduce testing fatigue and provide actionable data to educators, students and families.

Michigan: Michigan adopted the SAT as its high school accountability assessment in 2016. This change has allowed the state to offer a college admissions exam at no cost to students, significantly increasing access and equity.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin administers the ACT to all juniors as part of its state accountability system. This decision aligns with the state’s commitment to preparing students for college and careers while meeting federal requirements.

Florida: Florida recently announced plans to transition from its state-developed assessments to the SAT or ACT, citing benefits such as reducing duplicative testing and providing students with a credential that directly supports post-secondary ambitions.

Benefits of transitioning to the SAT Accessibility and equity: For many students, accessing and affording college admissions exams like the SAT or ACT remains a challenge, particularly in underserved communities. Transitioning to the SAT as the primary accountability tool ensures that every student has access to this vital resource, regardless of their socioeconomic status. By offering the SAT during school hours, California would eliminate logistical barriers and create a more equitable system that supports all students.

Dual purpose: The SAT serves a dual purpose, meeting both federal accountability requirements and providing students with a recognized college admissions test. This approach streamlines testing while delivering greater value to students and their families. In contrast, the Smarter Balanced Assessments are not widely understood or utilized outside of K-12 accountability systems, limiting their utility for students’ post-secondary goals.

Clarity and stakeholder engagement: The SAT is a nationally recognized and understood measure of college readiness, offering clear and actionable data for students, parents, educators and policymakers. By transitioning to the SAT, California would enhance transparency and foster greater stakeholder buy-in, addressing ongoing concerns about the relevance and utility of the Smarter Balanced Assessments.

Improved college readiness and counseling: High schools across the country have successfully integrated SAT results into their college counseling and readiness programs. These scores provide actionable insights that help counselors guide students toward post-secondary opportunities. Offering the SAT statewide during school hours would empower educators and counselors to better support students in navigating the college admissions process.

Streamlined testing and increased instructional time: One of the most significant advantages of the SAT is its streamlined testing process. While the Smarter Balanced Assessments often require multiple days of testing across different subjects, the SAT accomplishes the same goals in a single half-day session. This efficiency minimizes disruptions to instructional time and reduces testing fatigue for students and educators alike.

Lessons from Illinois and beyond As a former educator in Illinois, I experienced firsthand the transformative impact of adopting the SAT as a statewide assessment tool. Illinois’s decision to transition from the PARCC to the SAT has yielded significant benefits, including increased college access for underserved students and improved student performance. High schools in Illinois consistently rank among the top in the Midwest and nationwide, reflecting the success of this approach.

Similarly, states like Michigan and Colorado have reported positive outcomes from their transitions to the SAT. In these states, students have shown greater engagement with the assessment process, recognizing the direct connection between their performance and their post-secondary opportunities. The availability of free, school-day SAT testing has been a game-changer for students who might otherwise lack the resources to register for and travel to testing centers.

Addressing concerns about the transition Critics of transitioning to the SAT often cite concerns about test preparation and alignment with state standards. However, these concerns are not insurmountable. Many states have successfully aligned their curricula with the SAT’s focus on college and career readiness, ensuring that the test reflects what students are learning in the classroom. Additionally, free and low-cost test preparation resources, such as Khan Academy’s Official SAT Practice, are widely available to support students.

The path forward for California Transitioning from the Smarter Balanced Assessments to the SAT represents an opportunity for California to lead in creating a more equitable and impactful assessment system. By adopting the SAT, we can:

In the Beverly Hills Unified School District, we have already implemented the SAT School Day, and the results speak for themselves. Students view the SAT as a meaningful and relevant assessment, motivating them to perform at their best. This contrasts sharply with the challenges we face in encouraging students to engage with the Smarter Balanced Assessments.

By embracing this shift, California can reaffirm its commitment to serving all students and preparing them for a successful future. Let us seize this moment to align our assessment practices with the needs of today’s students and position our state as a leader in educational equity and excellence.

Dustin M. Seemann, Ed.D., is assistant superintendent of education services for Beverly Hills USD and is a member of ACSA’s Board of Directors representing Region 14.