COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P. O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 187
December 12, 1997

INFORMATIONAL

TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: Richard T. La Pointe
Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:
 		 The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit 
Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) Summary of Answers

  
     Earlier this year we asked school divisions to encourage
  students, especially those in grades ten and eleven, to take
  the PSAT/NMSQT.  For those schools having twenty-five or more
  students taking the PSAT/NMSQT, the College Board provides a
  Summary of Answers.  The Summary of Answers is a detailed
  analysis of students' performance on the PSAT/NMSQT.  The
  analysis offers information on individual student performance,
  overall school performance, and division-wide performance.  We
  have received several presentations from the College Board and
  have analyzed the benefits of the program.  Subsequently, we
  believe that the information contained in the Summary of
  Answers will benefit schools and enhance student performance. 
  The College Board will provide regional workshops to train
  local school division staff on how to interpret and use the
  Summary of Answers.

     There is a cost for the Summary of Answers; however,
  because we believe the information is extremely beneficial,
  the Department of Education will pay for each school division
  to receive the 1997-98 results.

     Regional training workshops have not been scheduled. 
  When they are available, we will inform you immediately. 
  Should you have any questions, you may contact Dr. James E.
  Laws, Jr. at (804) 225-2540.


  RTL/mfm