Beyond the SAT Score: Supporting Counselors, Empowering Students

One of the most meaningful conversations at College Board's inaugural District Success Network Conference wasn't about a new program or a new initiative. It was about something that already happens every year: students receiving their SAT scores. 

For Martha Morris, Director, Counselor Community Engagement at College Board, that moment represents much more than students and educators simply receiving a score report. 

"Students open up that report and they see a number—or maybe three numbers—and then they probably don't know what to do with all the rest of the information," Morris told district leaders during her session. "If it's on their phone, they stop scrolling. If it's in the PDF, they fold it up and put it in their backpack." 

It's something many educators can relate to. Students often focus on the score itself, while overlooking everything else their score report can tell them: how to connect to SAT practice resources, where to begin exploring college and careers, and which AP courses suit their skills Helping students understand those next steps is where counselors make such a difference. 

Making the Most of an Important Moment 

Morris encouraged district leaders to think about score release as another opportunity to support their counselors in having meaningful conversations with students. Instead of having students focus on just the score, counselors can encourage students to consider asking themselves: "What can I do next?" 

During the session, Morris shared four ways counselors can support students after scores are released: preparing by reviewing score data ahead of advising, helping students understand what their scores say about their knowledge and skills, connecting them with resources that match their college and career goals, and following up throughout the year as students continue planning for their futures. 

By taking these steps ahead of when scores are available, a score report becomes a launching pad for students as they consider what’s next. 

Supporting Counselors so They Can Support Students

As district leaders shared what they're seeing in their own schools, another theme emerged. Counselors are already doing a tremendous amount. The conversation wasn't about asking them to take on another initiative. It was about giving them the support they need to make the most of the work they're already doing. 

"It's not another thing for counselors to do," Morris said. "It's showing them how what they're already doing can be enhanced with the tools in the SAT Suite." 

District leaders shared practical ideas for supporting counselors because of the critical role they play in college and career readiness for students, including creating cross-functional college and career readiness teams, making assessment data easier to access, and finding ways to spend less time pulling reports and more time talking with students. Several participants emphasized that district leaders play an important role in creating the connections that allow those conversations to happen. 

One participant shared: 

"It's not necessarily about the SAT. It's about how these tools help the student get where they need to be." 

Continuing to Invest in Counselors 

The session also gave attendees an early look at College Board's upcoming SAT Counselor Credential Program, a new professional learning opportunity designed to help counselors build confidence using SAT Suite resources to support students. 

The program covers topics like understanding score reports, supporting college and career planning, connecting students with practice resources, and using assessment information to guide student conversations. Again, it's designed to fit naturally into the work counselors are already doing, not add something new to their plates. 

Throughout the session, Morris regularly stopped to ask district leaders what was working in their schools and where they still faced challenges. Participants offered ideas, asked thoughtful questions, and even suggested ways to strengthen the credential program before it launches. It was a reminder that the best ideas often come from listening. 

Looking Forward 

The session made it clear that counselors have an incredible opportunity to help students see beyond an SAT score. When district leaders invest in counselors through professional learning, easier access to information, and opportunities to collaborate, they're also investing in students. The goal isn't simply to help students understand their scores—it's to help them use those scores to make informed decisions about what's next.