More than 1,400 University of California (U.C.) faculty members have signed a letter urging the system to reinstate SAT/ACT mathematics requirements for STEM applicants, citing a „dramatic drop in math proficiency” since the tests were eliminated in 2020 to promote equity. The letter, authored by four U.C. Berkeley math professors and a law professor, claims instructors now must „reteach middle-school mathematics while simultaneously teaching the material students need for sciences, engineering, economics, and other quantitatively demanding fields.” U.C. currently does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions or scholarship decisions, though students may use them to meet minimum subject requirements—but only after submitting an application without scores.
The professors argue that standardized tests provide an objective check on readiness, especially given „high-school grade inflation” and the rise of „artificial-intelligence-confected essays.” In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, authors Svetlana Jitomirskaya and Zvezdelina Stankova emphasized that the SAT should be used as a „readiness check” rather than a mechanical ranking tool. They contend that „nonstandardized records” from applicants are increasingly unreliable, making nationally normed tests essential for fair evaluation. The letter clarifies that test scores should not automatically admit or reject applicants but serve as one piece of evidence in holistic reviews.
U.C. Academic Senate Chairman Ahmet Palazoglu acknowledged that „college readiness is about far more than admissions standards,” noting collaborations with K-12 leaders to strengthen student preparation. However, the professors dismiss concerns that requiring tests would increase inequality, citing evidence that test-optional policies do not necessarily promote equity. Reason magazine has reported that standardized tests are „the closest to an objective measure colleges have,” isolating academic achievement from expensive extracurriculars and polished essays. The professors insist that academic rigor—not revisiting fundamentals—best serves students and faculty.
The U.C. movement mirrors a broader trend among elite universities. Yale recently reversed its test-optional policy, joining schools like MIT and Dartmouth in requiring SAT or ACT scores. Yale College Dean Pericles Lewis noted that test scores „are strong predictors of a student’s future Yale academic performance” and can help identify well-prepared candidates, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The article concludes that while admissions processes are imperfect, requiring baseline standards is not controversial; it ensures professors can teach at a university level without catering to underprepared students.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/more-1-000-uc-professors-140027707.html.