A California economics professor is expressing concern over what she describes as “learning deficiencies” in today’s classrooms. She believes that the removal of standardized tests, intended to promote “inclusivity,” is actually harming the very students it aims to support.
Andrea Mays, a professor at California State University, Long Beach, discussed with Fox News Digital the challenges faced by college students today, many of whom navigated their middle school years through online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This, she argues, has left them unprepared for basic college coursework.
She pointed out that California’s decision to eliminate the SAT as a college admission requirement significantly contributes to the issue, resulting in a higher number of students arriving on campus ill-equipped and subsequently dropping out. According to Mays, dropout rates have surged notably, with reports indicating that around 25 percent of students are leaving classes, especially in mathematics, where preparedness is particularly lacking.
“I teach courses for non-economics majors,” Mays explained. “I can provide students with index cards detailing the math they need—simple concepts, really, nothing advanced. Yet, they still struggle and often come to my office, saying, ‘I’ve never learned anything like this; I don’t know how to calculate percent change.’
“I can help them, but many students feel scared or embarrassed to reach out for assistance, and unfortunately, that leads to them quitting the class altogether.”
In a recent opinion piece she wrote, which was featured in the Orange County Gazette, Mays critiques the rationale behind the CSU system’s decision to drop the SAT, suggesting that the explanation of promoting inclusivity is misleading. “I wholeheartedly support campus inclusivity,” she stated. “But it’s disingenuous to claim that we are being inclusive when, in reality, we’re admitting students who are likely to struggle significantly.”
Over the years, numerous activist groups have criticized the SAT and standardized testing in general. When asked if such activism influenced CSU’s choice to do away with the SAT, Mays replied, “I wouldn’t say that directly, but it does make some sense. I’m not an expert on the recent changes to the SAT. Others are looking into adjusting questions to support groups that typically perform poorly on certain parts, but it’s a complicated debate.”
Mays highlighted the diversity among high schools, noting that not all provide adequate preparation, leading to discrepancies in student readiness. “I believe all high schools strive for excellence, but not all succeed. That’s why students can come to my class with excellent grades in Algebra 2, yet struggle with basic concepts like rate of change calculations or finding the intersection of lines—all fundamental skills expected by seventh and eighth-grade standards.”
In 2022, Acting Premier Steve Lelye stated that the choice to eliminate the SAT and ACT aimed to create a more level playing field for students, following a study suggesting the tests added little predictive value regarding student success compared to high school GPA. The system subsequently adopted “multifactor admission criteria,” which centers around GPAs in specific courses, extracurricular activities, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Mays argues that providing unprepared access isn’t truly an opportunity. “If CSU genuinely cares about student success, equity, and affordability, it needs to address the readiness issue and take steps based on those findings,” she emphasized, adding, “It’s unfair to ignore the readiness gap.”
She advocates California’s strong community college system as a beneficial alternative for high school graduates, many of whom missed out on vital learning during the pandemic and feel unprepared for college. “Students should consider enrolling in community college to strengthen their foundational skills. Take basic English and math classes—it can make a huge difference in preparing you for university,” she encouraged.
The California State University System did not comment on this matter when approached by Fox News Digital. Mays concluded, “Using the SAT as a benchmark to assess students’ readiness for college-level work makes complete sense.”
