This is yesterday's news, but why is it so important?
A month ago the Academic Senate of the University of California, which is the assembly of the UC faculty, voted 51-0 to keep standardized exams as a key component of the admissions at least for another five years. The vote of the Academic Senate is not a mandatory decision, but a recommendation that the Senate hoped the board of regents would follow. In fact, the UC President, Janet Napolitano, made her own recommendation to the regents, to phase out standardized tests gradually over the course of five years.
It does come as a surprise that the regents decided against the opinion of the Academic Senate, but it is seen by most as a positive news.
The board deliberated for several hours on Thursday before voting 23-0 to drop the SAT and ACT tests as admission requirements. In 2021-2023 tests will be optional, and starting in 2023 admissions would not be allowed to consider test scores for any purpose other than course placement and scholarships.
The key argument against the tests is that they discriminate against the minority, low-income and otherwise disadvantaged students. Multiple studies suggest that the tests contain inherent bias. Also, wealthier students have better access to tutors and prep courses that make difference.
Because SAT and ACT scores will still be considered for the next five years as a key component of the scholarship decisions, as well as for advanced course placement, the University of California will start developing its own test that would eventually replace standardized exams.
