California State University System Considers Change to English Proficiency Requirement
The California State University system is exploring the possibility of eliminating the English proficiency test that international students currently need to pass for enrollment. This potential change could allow students whose first language is not English to bypass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
During a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Vice Chancellor Dilcie Perez presented the idea, and a vote on the proposal could happen in November. Perez suggested replacing the TOEFL with various approved measures of English proficiency. Similar to the University of California system, Cal State may accept tests like the Duolingo English Test, SAT scores, or results from Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. She maintained that the current testing requirement can exclude many prospective students due to its costs and limited access, claiming that the university’s standards wouldn’t be compromised.
This year, international student enrollment in California has declined, which some attribute to the stricter student visa policies from the Trump administration. A trade association predicted a 15% decrease in international students for the current academic year, translating to about 7,000 fewer students and an estimated loss of one billion dollars in tuition and associated expenses.
Foreign students generally pay full tuition, which is significantly higher than in-state rates, and this financial contribution helps support the educational costs for domestic students. Currently, international students constitute around 2.5% of Cal State’s total enrollment of 470,000 and approximately 12% of those in the University of California system.
Additionally, obtaining a degree from an American university can pave the way for foreign graduates to seek employment in the U.S. Through the Optional Practical Training program, graduates can stay and work in the country, moving from student visas toward H-1B visas and, for many, even green cards. As of 2024, there were about 640,000 foreign graduates participating in OPT or related work permits.
Some observers argue that relaxing the testing requirement may not have a significant impact, as the State Department still controls the issuance of F-1 student visas. They point out that applicants lacking sufficient English skills are unlikely to pass this critical hurdle in the application process.
California has been gradually moving away from traditional admissions testing in recent years. Both the Cal State and UC systems have already discontinued the SAT and ACT, and some faculty members have noted that students are arriving on campus with gaps in fundamental math skills.
