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October 14, 2009 PSAT/NMSQT Registration Announcement

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 108
POLICY CODE: ICHD

TO: Superintendents, Curriculum Coordinators, High School Principals, Headmasters, Guidance Counselors
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: June 9, 2009
RE: October 14, 2009 PSAT/NMSQT Registration Announcement

The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) is requiring that all publicly funded 10th and 11th grade students take the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday October 14, 2009. This is a result of Maine’s goal to provide all students with tools that support their preparation for post secondary education and the workforce.

By now you have received the 2009 PSAT/NMSQT Registration Announcement, which includes your school’s access code for ordering test materials. Go to the PSAT/NMSQT Ordering website http://www.collegeboard.com/school to place your order for test materials, update quantities, and track your test materials shipment. Be sure that you register for the Wednesday, October 14, 2009 test.

Your school plays a significant role in the implementation of this initiative. At this stage in the PSAT/NMSQT administration cycle, your school should:

  • By June 15th – Register by the early order deadline in order to receive support materials in a timely manner. Materials include the 2009 Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT/NMSQT: The Parent Perspective, and Take the PSAT/NMSQT student flyer. Students should be given the opportunity to take the full-length practice test included with the Student Guide and parents need adequate time to become familiar with the test. Questions concerning registration may be directed to psat@info.collegeboard.org or 888-477-PSAT. Please note:
    • Be sure to order test materials in sufficient quantities for all 10th and 11th grade students taking the test on October 14th. You will not be billed for these tests.  However, please be aware that if students indicate that they are in a grade other than 10th or 11th grade when they complete the information next year, you will be billed.  The State will not be able to reimburse you for these tests.
    • Your school is not subject to any unused test fees by virtue of our agreement with the College Board.  Again, be sure to order sufficient quantities.
    • Extra test booklets may also be ordered for teachers to use during data analysis after student and school results are available.
    • Fee waivers do not need to be ordered or used this year for 11th grade students by virtue of our agreement with the College Board.

By August 26th – Submit SSD (Services for Students with Disabilities) eligibility forms to ensure that the request can be processed prior to the October 14, 2009 PSAT/NMSQT administration. Questions concerning SSD may be directed to ssd@info.collegeboard.org or 609-771-7137. If you have students that need accommodations on a daily basis but are not approved under the SSD eligibility rules of the College Board, those students may use the Maine-Purposes-Only accommodations listed in the Policies and Procedures for Accommodations to the MHSA document found on the Maine Department of Education’s website at:

www.maine.gov/education/mhsa/policiesprocedure.htm .

  • By September 11th – All schools must complete an application, indicating whether you plan to use Maine-Purposes-Only accommodations, and send it to the College Board. The application and other materials specific to the use of Maine-Purposes-Only accommodations will be sent via email.
  • Also note that 11th grade students using the MPO accommodations will NOT be eligible for National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) programs or any other scholarship programs using the PSAT/NMSQT. Students who use Maine-Purposes-Only accommodations who want to participate in scholarship programs administered by NMSC should WRITE to Educational Services, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200, Evanston, IL 60201 to request information about Alternate Entry. Letters must be postmarked by March 1, 2010 for the request to be considered. Schools using Maine-Purposes-Only accommodations must inform students and parents of the policies related to these accommodations, particularly surrounding scholarship programs.

For further information, please contact: Dan Hupp at 624-6827 or dan.hupp@maine.gov . Also, be sure to check the Department of Education’s website to find information on the PSAT/NMSQT at www.maine.gov/education/lsalt/index.htm

We look forward to the full participation of your students in 2009.