Beginning March 5, 2016, test-takers will find changes to the SAT. If students have not taken the exam prior to the new SAT, chances are they will not notice the changes, but these students should consider their study materials, choosing current resources.
 
As The College Board explains, the goal of the new exam is to make it “more focused, clear and useful.”
 
With this goal in mind, the new SAT was revamped with specific changes.
 
This is what’s different.
 

  • It better reflects what you’re learning in class.
  • The SAT vocabulary words are gone.
  • There is no penalty for guessing.
  • It focuses on math that matters most.
  • The essay has been redesigned, and it is optional.

 
Three things that will not change are:
 

  • It will be accepted by almost all U.S. colleges.
  • It is typically taken by juniors in the spring and seniors in the fall.
  • SAT scores and high school GPA are a powerful combination. Used together, there’s nothing better at predicting potential college success.

 
The new SAT will include:
 

  • 4 parts: Reading, Writing and Language, Math, and the optional SAT Essay.
  • 400–1600 score scale
  • 3 hours and 50 minutes with the SAT Essay — or 3 hours without it
  • 4 answer choices

 
While the new SAT will be more focused, clear and useful, we encourage students not to take it lightly and to thoroughly prepare for the exam. The Learning Resource Center of Polk County Inc. offers SAT preparation courses throughout the year, and will continue to offer the most up-to-date information and strategies to help students achieve their best score on the test. For more on LRC’s SAT Preparation, please visit LRCPolk.com, and inquire about the Sliding Fee Scale.
 
Stay abreast of upcoming test dates, register online, get answers to your registration questions, and/or learn about the SAT fee waiver on CollegeBoard.org.
 
Best wishes on your test!
 

It’s time to get the “competitive edge” with college success planning and the Learning Resource Center this fall semester. High school students in grades 9-12 should consider this course to not only gain the skills needed for college, but to ensure that they are well-equipped for the next major step of their lives.
 
Get the Competitive Edge…College Success Planning provides participants with study skills and motivational strategies preparing them to become more effective learners before advancing to college.
 
Students who attend will learn and practice time-tested, effective and efficient study strategies, as well as concrete techniques to get the competitive edge necessary for college. The course provides small classes with activity-oriented lessons to help students develop the study habits of successful students.
 
This course also offers added benefits of quality instruction from certified instructors and personalized Learning Styles Inventories to help each student succeed.
 
The topics that will be covered include: test-taking, building memory, reading and note-taking with a purpose, time management, and successful transitions in addition to other crucial study skills. All of these skills are not only essential for college, but are both useful before and after college, as well.
 
Get the Competitive Edge…College Success Planning will take place over five consecutive Mondays, beginning November 2, 2015 and ending on December 7, 2015, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Learning Resource Center located at 1628 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland. The cost of the program is $145.00. Be sure to ask about our sliding fee scales based on gross family income.
 

Registration

Register online or call LRC at 863-688-9477. One of the many benefits of this course is the small class size, so don’t hesitate to reserve your place to start your journey to success!
 

This fall semester we’re offering a number of courses to help students prepare for and obtain their educational goals. Choose from One-to-One Tutoring (year-round) in a wide variety of subjects for k-adult students, ACT Preparation, one of three SAT Preparation sessions, Study Habits of Successful Students for grades 6-8, and Get the Competitive Edge..College Success Planning for grades 9-12.
 
Join us this fall in a program that fits your needs or the needs of your child. Find details on each program in the schedule below.
 

One-to-One Tutoring

What: LRC offers a wide variety of programs and services for individualized instruction including:

Elementary:

  • Reading
  • Language Arts
  • Math
  • Spelling and Phonics
  • Written Language and Handwriting
  • Achievement Test Preparation

Middle and High School:

  • English and Intensive Reading
  • Math – Basic Math through Calculus
  • Foreign Languages
  • Science – Basic Sciences through Physics
  • Social Studies/ History
  • Study Skills
  • Test Prep for ACT and SAT

Who: Students K-Adult

When: Year-round

Where: Tutoring may take place at any of the following locations: LRC, public library, school (with permission from principal), local business, church, etc.

Cost: Fee reduction based on family income

Register: CHILD ENROLLMENT FORMS
ADULT ENROLLMENT FORMS
As LRC is a non-profit, United Way agency, all fees are calculated based on the gross, annual, household income. Please call LRC (863-688-9477) to find out what your advance fee deposit will be.
 

ACT Preparation Course

Who: Students in grades 9-12
What: Math/Science, English/Reading, and Writing to help all students maximize their learning potential.
How: Acquaint students with the ACT test format and types of questions, as well as, provide a review of relevant content and application of research-based problem-solving techniques with highly-trained instructors.
When: September 14-October 14, 2015
Math/Science- Mondays, 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., September 14, 21, October 5 & 12
English/Reading- Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., September 16, 23, October 7 & 14
Writing- Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., October 3
*ACT TEST DATE: October 24
Where: Learning Resource Center, 1628 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland
Cost: $440.00* for all subjects or
$195.00 for Math/Science
$195.00 for English/Reading
$65.00 for Writing (includes an ACT book)
*Ask about our Sliding Fees based on gross annual income
Register: Register online at ACT Preparation or call 863-688-9477.
 

SAT Preparation Course


Who: Students in grades 9-12
What: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing to help all students maximize their learning potential.
How: Acquaint students with the SAT test format and types of questions, as well as, provide a review of relevant content and application of research-based problem-solving techniques with highly-trained instructors.
When: Four consecutive weeks as follows:
Tuesdays (Critical Reading) 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Thursdays (Math); 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. for
Saturday, Essay Writing (one Saturday only) 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Choose from three different sessions this fall:

September 1-24
Critical Reading: Sept. 1, 8, 15 & 22
Math: Sept. 3, 10, 17 & 24
Essay Writing: Sept. 12
* SAT TEST DATE: October 3

 

September 29-October 22
Critical Reading: Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20
Math: Oct. 1, 8, 15 & 22
Essay Writing: Oct. 10
* SAT TEST DATE: November 7

 

October 27-November 19
Critical Reading: Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10 & 17
Math: Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, & 19
Essay Writing: Nov. 7
* SAT TEST DATE: December 5


Where: Learning Resource Center, 1628 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland
Cost: $440.00* for all subjects or
$195.00 for Math only
$195.00 for Critical Reading only
$65.00 for Writing (includes an SAT book)
*Ask about our Sliding Fees based on gross annual income
Register: Register online at SAT and PSAT Preparation or call 863-688-9477.
 

Study Habits of Successful Students

What: Study Habits of Successful Students provides study skills and motivational strategies to prepare students in grades 6-8 to become more effective learners. Students learn and practice time-tested, effective, and efficient study strategies. The course is designed to offer small classes with activity-oriented lessons to help students learn and practice these study habits of successful students.

Lessons include:
Get Motivated
Listen Up and Take Notes!
Set Goals to Achieve
Read Actively
Manage Your Time
Become Test-Wise

Who: Students in grades 6-8

When:  Five consecutive Mondays, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
September 14, 21, October 5, 12 & 26

Where:  Learning Resource Center 1628 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33803

*Cost: $145.00                                                                                                                                   * Sliding fees based on gross annual household income
Register: Register online by clicking Study Habits of Successful Students or call 863-688-9477.
 

Get the Competitive Edge…College Success Planning

What: College Success Planning provides study skills and motivational strategies to prepare students in grades 9-12 to become more effective learners. Students learn and practice time-tested, effective, and efficient study strategies, as well as concrete techniques to get the competitive edge necessary for high school and college. The course offers small classes with activity-oriented lessons to help students learn and practice these study habits of successful students.

Lessons include:
Building Memory and Test-Taking Skills
Planning for Success
Reading and Note-Taking with a Purpose
Making Successful Transitions
Time Management
…And Other Essential Study Skills

Who: Students in grades 9-12
When: Five consecutive Mondays, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
November 2, 9, 16, 30 & December 7
Where: Learning Resource Center 1628 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33803

Cost: $145.00 *                                                                                                                       * Sliding fees based on gross annual household income
Register: Register online by clicking Get the Competitive Edge…College Success Planning or call 863-688-9477.