UC Faculty Revolt: The Case for Bringing Back Standardized Tests in College Admissions

Summary

The article discusses how the University of California faculty are in open revolt over the lack of standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) in admissions. It highlights Professor Zvezdelina Stankova's experience teaching calculus at UC Berkeley, where she noticed a dramatic decline in student preparedness after the pandemic, with the bottom 25% of students in "freefall." The piece argues that eliminating SAT requirements, intended to promote equity, has backfired by admitting students unprepared for rigorous coursework, and that standardized tests, while imperfect, provide valuable predictive data for academic success.