Does ETS Fund the College Board? Unraveling the Intricate Web of Educational Testing
Ah, the ever-elusive world of standardized testing! You’re probably thinking: “Why am I even bothering with this? I just want to get into college!” You’re not alone, my friend. But before we dive into the murky waters of ETS and the College Board, let’s have a little fun with this, shall we?
Imagine a world where you can pay your way into college by sending a giant, inflatable rubber chicken to the admissions office. That’s essentially what the College Board has done with the SAT. Because, let’s be honest, the SAT is the ultimate “gotcha” test. It’s like a giant, bureaucratic game of “Where’s Waldo?” You’re frantically searching for the right answers while simultaneously trying to figure out if you’ve accidentally stumbled into the wrong test.
But hold on, let’s get back to the real topic. Does ETS fund the College Board? Well, it’s a little more complicated than that. The two entities are actually intertwined like a pair of tangled earbuds.
Think of it like this: ETS is the company that manufactures the test, while the College Board is the marketing and sales team. The College Board owns the SAT and licenses the test administration to ETS. They are also partners in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, where they work together to create, administer, and grade AP exams. So, while ETS doesn’t *fund* the College Board directly, they are deeply intertwined in their operations!
Now, let’s get back to the money. The College Board, being a non-profit organization (at least that’s what they claim), gets its funding from a variety of sources. You know, the usual suspects:
- SAT fees: Think of it as the College Board’s “pay-to-play” scheme. Students cough up a hefty sum to take the test, and the College Board rakes in the dough.
- Selling student data: Yes, you read that right. The College Board apparently has a lucrative business selling your personal information to colleges and universities. It’s basically like they’re running a “student data auction.” Who knew your high school grades were worth so much?
- Government funding: And of course, there’s the government. The College Board receives a hefty amount of federal funding, which they claim is used to help students pay for their exams. But hey, who are we to question that? They’re just trying to help, right?
Now, where does all that money go? Well, according to the College Board, they only spend 10% of their revenue on fee discounts. That’s right, only 10%! So, the remaining 90% is being used to… well, that’s a mystery. Perhaps they’re investing in a new line of branded t-shirts? Or maybe they’re funding a secret underground lair where they can plot the next big standardized test? Who knows?
One thing is for sure: the College Board is a cash cow, and they’re not afraid to milk it. So, the next time you’re staring at a daunting SAT test, take a moment to appreciate the intricate web of relationships and financial machinations that are behind it. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself wondering if you’d rather just send that inflatable rubber chicken to the admissions office instead.
If you need more information, or if you’re still trying to make sense of this whole “ETS vs. College Board” thing, don’t hesitate to drop us a line! We’re here to help you navigate the confusing world of standardized testing, even if it means sending a giant rubber chicken to the admissions office. After all, it’s just a test, right? What’s the worst that could happen? You get a giant inflatable rubber chicken?