Judge Orders University of California Must Stop Using SATs, ACTs for Admissions
An Alameda County Superior Court Judge ordered the University of California school system to stop using SAT and ACT test results as criteria for scholarship and admissions determinations. The ruling, which was handed down on Monday, cited procedural disadvantages for disabled applicants. The tests have long been under question for showing favoritism to affluent students, while giving disadvantages to lower income minorities.
The UC educational system, comprised of ten college campuses, had decided last May to suspend the test requirements for freshman through the fall of 2024. However, some campuses chose to keep the option open. That decision has a negative impact on students with disabilities, the judge wrote in his order. He stated disabled students are at a severe disadvantage to their non-disabled peers regarding their ability to obtain proper testing accommodations which are “virtually non-existent” and they are left without any options to submit their scores even if they could be accommodated to take the tests.
He further stated the omission of the test should not be used against any disabled student in admission or scholarship determinations; although including test results could still be of benefit to a student’s chances. A formal statement issued by UC said they disagree with the ruling and are considering whether or not to pursue additional legal action.
Ann Sullivan is a contributing staff writer covering national and world news topics. She brings dedicated experience having written international and domestic news, blogs, and web content for over 20 years. She’s also a published poet and graphic designer with degrees in Business and Graphic Communications and has been a music distributor, music industry sponsorship sales director and band manager.