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University of California President Proposes Dropping SAT and ACT

Alessio Vallero
/
Flickr Creative Commons
Cal students walking through Sather Gate.

Right now, a lot of high school students who want to apply for college this fall should be taking their SATs or ACTs. But, because of COVID-19, The College Board and ACT, which administer the tests, canceled spring exams.

So, the University of California system suspended the standardized test requirement for its Fall 2021 applicants. Now, COVID-19 has prompted University of California President Janet Napolitano to propose possibly doing away with the system’s standardized test requirement altogether. 

 

On Monday, Napolitano proposed keeping the current test suspension in place for another year and making the SAT and ACT optional. Students who’ve already taken the test can submit their scores but students who haven’t won’t be penalized.

 

Napolitano also wants the admission process to become “test blind” meaning that test scores wouldn’t be used to decide admission but could help determine scholarships and course placements. 

 

Some education advocates have been calling to get rid of standardized testing. Napolitano is proposing that the UC system take this current opportunity to either create its own test that better assesses California students or get rid of testing requirements completely by 2025. 

 

The Board of Regents will vote on her proposal at its May 21st meeting.

 

Precious has lived in and loved the Bay Area since 2012 when she moved from Atlanta, Georgia. Her reporting interests include the politics of race and gender and pop culture as a reflection of our changing cultural landscape. Prior to joining KALW, Precious worked with a variety of community development, social impact and economic equity focused organizations. Before moving to the Bay Area, she practiced law in her hometown.