Re: U.C. President Calls for Dropping SAT-I Requirement

[Bob Schaeffer <bobschaeffer@EARTHLINK.NET>]

    Susan's analysis if right on (as always!). There is no need for the
SAT-II or any other "standardized test" in the college admissions
process. In some ways the SAT-II ("Achievement Tests" to those of us
over 35) is worse than the SAT-I -- the notion that any subject can be
adequately measured by a one hour multiple choice test is inherently
bizarre (the SAT-II writing test has a twenty minute "essay" and forty
minutes of m.c. proof-reading items -- all the rest are entirely m.c.).
    Many of the SAT-II exams are extremely narrow. The president of the
National Academy of Sciences, Bruce Alberts (a University of California
biology professor) has written in the journal Daedalus (fall, 1995) " .
. . the SAT II: Biology Test, what was formerly the achievement test in
biology, is an extreme example of a test that forces the wrong kind of
teaching. When we started at the Academy, we went to somebody who was
the head of the SAT II at the Educational Testing Service to explain the
situation. None of those people seemed to believe or know that their
test was destructive of the curriculum. There is a real dissonance, and
it is difficult to overcome it."
    As I understand it, the reason for the 2003 target implementation is
the need to process Atkinson's _proposal_ through the elaborate U.C.
"governance" process. Applications for the class admitted for fall 2001
are already in, so this is at most a one year delay.
    Most important in Susan's posting from FairTest's perspective as the
leader of the test score "optional" movement is the call to her alma
mater to advocate for a change in its admissions policy. We urge all of
you to call or write college presidents, alumni/ae associations, etc.
There are lots of resources available on our website at
http://www.fairtest.org/optional.htm.
   You can contact me or Christina Perez, a super new staffer at
FairTest's Cambridge headquarters for assistance or more information.

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing

Susan Harman wrote:
>
> But he calls for "standardized tests" of high school college prep
> courses. Isnt that what grades are for?
> And he says he cant implement it till 2003. Why so long?
> Speaking of which, I had a long talk with my old alma mater's admissions
> officer. Theyll still use the SAT, but she was glad I called. Yeah,
> right. However, I think each of us could call our colleges. Cant hurt.
> Susan
>
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