SAT is back
Over 1,000 math and science professors at the University of California are advocating for the return of SAT/ACT scores for STEM applicants. A recent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal by math professors from UC Berkeley pointed out a concerning readiness gap in students. This issue arose following the suspension of standardized testing in 2020, which has left many students underprepared, ultimately squandering resources and hindering academic progress.
More than six years have passed since the University of California System’s Board of Regents decided to eliminate standardized test scores from undergraduate admissions. The New York Times Editorial Board is now urging the UC System to reconsider this move.
In an editorial published on Monday, the board criticized the UC system’s decision as a “terrible” error that has inadvertently left students lacking the necessary preparation for college courses. This editorial comes just before the University of California Board of Regents plans to discuss possible revisions to the existing policy.
In 2019, the UC System established the Standardized Testing Task Force (STTF), an 18-member committee of professors from all 10 campuses. The committee was assigned to examine how standardized test scores factor into undergraduate admissions. About a year later, they released a lengthy report detailing their findings and recommendations.
“STTF discovered that standardized test scores are useful predictors of key student success metrics, like undergraduate GPA, retention, and completion rates,” the report indicated.
California Board of Regents to review ban on SAT/ACT tests after 1,400 professors warn of ‘serious’ gaps in math
Despite the findings supporting the importance of scores, the UC system opted for a “test-blind” policy in 2020, which meant that campuses wouldn’t consider test scores at all, regardless of whether students submitted them. This move was made during the uncertainties of the coronavirus pandemic.
The editorial board noted that the outcomes of this “test-blind” policy have been “terrible,” referencing a significant decline reported by faculty at UC San Diego regarding the academic readiness of incoming students. For instance, nearly 12 percent of first-year students at UCSD last fall were ineligible to enroll in pre-calculus, a sharp increase from only 0.5 percent in 2020.
The editorial acknowledged the various educational hurdles exacerbated by AI, pandemic-related school closures, and distractions like smartphones but argued that the decline in student preparedness at UC is more pronounced than in other areas. This suggests a direct link to the test-blind policies in the UC system.
Texas’ largest school district sees test scores rise despite claims of racism after state takeover
A UC spokesperson responded to inquiries by directing attention to a statement by UC Academic Senate President Ahmet Palazoglu. He emphasized the importance of student success and noted that the Undergraduate Academic Senate is conducting a thorough, data-driven review regarding college readiness assessments and student support within the UC system.
Palazoglu mentioned that this review would expand on previous research, considering the considerable changes that have occurred in education since the Board of Regents adopted the test-blind policy in 2020. The Board of Undergraduate Admissions and School Relations (BOARS) is overseeing the review of UC’s admissions policies and standards.
As faculty express their desire for the reinstatement of testing requirements, two letters have been sent to the university asking for the reversal of the trial-blinding policy. One letter garnered support from over 2,300 UC STEM faculty, while more than 900 humanities faculty members signed another letter.
“Ignoring the readiness gap harms both the students and the university,” the letter stated.
University of California faculty members advocating for change
In spite of these appeals from professors, the UC system has yet to alter its testing policy and is instead forming a new committee to evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of reintroducing testing.
The editorial pointed out that Janet Napolitano, the university president in 2020 who backed the test-blind policy, has now expressed support for reinstating test scores. She characterized the test-blind policy as a “valuable experiment,” but one that necessitates reconsideration based on its outcomes.
The editorial also mentioned that the UC system is not alone in having paused test score considerations during the pandemic. Many institutions that made similar choices have since reinstated testing requirements or have adopted varying policies regarding test submission. Notably, prestigious universities, including Harvard and Stanford, now require test scores.
The Times editorial board highlighted Brown University’s President Christina Paxson’s view that standardized test scores are often better at predicting academic performance than high school grades, while also acknowledging the legitimate debates surrounding these tests.
The editorial concluded with a call to the university’s regents to reconsider their previous decision during their upcoming meeting on July 14, arguing they should admit their earlier mistake and reverse it.
