Assemblyman David G. McDonough (R,C-North Merrick) is distributing copies of "The College Dream. A Guide for Parents," a free publication from The College Board that provides parents with information about the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), financial planning and college admission.

Other information in the booklet deals with how financial aid works, helpful hints about how to prepare for the SAT, when to take the exam, an overview of the test, and an outline detailing a student’s suggested schedule for college success.

"College is so important and opens the doors to a wide range of new opportunities for our children. I believe this guide will be extremely valuable to parents who have children approaching their junior and senior years in high school," said Assemblyman McDonough.

The manual is available by contacting Assemblyman McDonough’s district office at (516) 731-8830, by e-mailing requests to mcdonod@assembly.state.ny.us, or by writing to 3000 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, N.Y. 11756.

The College Board, founded in 1900 by a group of colleges and universities, is committed to increasing opportunity for students while maintaining high educational standards. Founders revolutionized college admission by agreeing to a single, standardized entrance examination for students across the country, known as the SAT. Today, there are 4,500 members of the nonprofit association serving 23,000 high schools and 3,500 colleges.