College Board

College Board is an American nonprofit organization that develops and administers standardized tests used in college admissions and placement. Founded in 1900 as the College Entrance Examination Board, it is best known for programs like the SAT, Advanced Placement, and the PSAT/NMSQT. The organization's stated mission is to expand access to higher education, though its role and influence in the American educational system have been the subject of significant debate and scrutiny.

History

The organization was established in December 1900 by a consortium of twelve leading universities, including Columbia University and Harvard University, to create a uniform set of entrance examinations. Its first administered test was in 1901, primarily for applicants to Ivy League institutions. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its reach, with the SAT becoming a cornerstone of its offerings after being developed by Carl Brigham and formally adopted in 1926. Major milestones included the launch of the Advanced Placement Program in 1955, a collaboration with the Ford Foundation and Harvard University, and the introduction of the PSAT/NMSQT in 1971. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw significant changes, including the controversial 2005 revision of the SAT and a major 2016 redesign spearheaded by CEO David Coleman.

Organization and governance

The organization is governed by a board of trustees composed of educators from institutions like Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley, as well as school administrators. Its operational leadership is headed by CEO David Coleman, who previously co-founded the Student Achievement Partners and was a lead architect of the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Major operational divisions manage its key programs, including the Advanced Placement Program, the SAT suite, and BigFuture, its college planning platform. It maintains its headquarters in New York City and has additional offices in Washington, D.C., Reston, Virginia, and Austin, Texas.

Programs and assessments

Its primary assessments include the SAT, a widely used college admissions exam, and the PSAT/NMSQT, which also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The Advanced Placement Program offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students, with courses spanning subjects from AP Calculus to AP United States History. Other significant initiatives include the ACCUPLACER placement test, the CLEP exam program for earning college credit, and the online college search and financial aid tool BigFuture. The organization also provides data and reporting services through its AP Potential and SAT Suite of Assessments score reports to schools and districts.

Criticism and controversies

The organization has faced persistent criticism over the equity implications of the SAT, with detractors arguing the exam reflects socioeconomic disparities and has faced legal challenges regarding disability accommodations. The 2014 data breach exposed sensitive information for hundreds of thousands of Advanced Placement Program students. Its practice of selling student data to universities and other organizations has raised significant privacy concerns. The development and scoring of exams, particularly for subjects like AP World History and AP United States History, have been criticized for perceived political bias and inconsistent grading. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its attempt to administer Advanced Placement Program exams online encountered widespread technical failures and access issues.

Financial information

As a nonprofit organization, it files an annual Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service. Its revenue, which exceeded $1.1 billion in a recent fiscal year, is predominantly generated from fees for the SAT, Advanced Placement Program exams, and other assessments. A significant portion of its expenses is allocated to test development, scoring, and program administration. The organization holds substantial financial reserves and investments, which has led to scrutiny over its nonprofit status and pricing models. It also engages in lobbying activities, reporting expenditures to influence federal policy on education issues in Washington, D.C.. Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City Category:Educational organizations based in the United States