A judge has barred the University of California school system from considering SAT and ACT scores in admissions decisions.
Judge Brad Seligman of the Alameda County Superior Court ruled Tuesday that the “test optional” policy in place at some University of California campuses offers non-disabled and affluent students an advantage in the admissions process.
“The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in restrictions in the availability of test-sites. While test-taking opportunities for all students have been limited, for persons with disabilities, the ability to obtain accommodations or even locate suitable test locations for the test is ‘almost nil,'” he said.
“In short, applicants with disabilities are denied meaningful access to the ‘aid, benefit or service’ that test-takers have,” Seligman said. He also wrote that the cancellation would not harm the public, adding that “UC does not seriously argue that (such a) test is a valid and effective means of determining admissions.”
The UC system waived SAT and ACT requirements until 2024 and planned on developing a new test for applicants. If the new exam is not ready by 2025, the universities will eliminate the testing requirements for California residents.
“We are removing the ACT/SAT requirement for California students and developing a new test that more closely aligns with what we expect incoming students to know to demonstrate their preparedness for UC,” system President Janet Napolitano said in May.
“Judge Seligman’s historic decision puts an end to racist tests that deprived countless California students of color, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families of a fair shot at admissions to the UC system,” said Mark Rosenbaum, the director of Public Counsel’s Opportunity Under Law project, which launched the case.
“The decision correctly recognized that what the Regents had done was set up a test optional scheme for students without disabilities, rank discrimination that treated students with disabilities as if they were disposable and of no value to the UC system. It’s a low point for the Regents that a lawsuit had to be the vehicle to eliminate meaningless tests that they had publicly acknowledged as ‘racist,’ serving no purpose other than to boost the chances for privileged students who could access expensive prep courses to be taught the ‘tricks’ to answering biased questions, ” he said in a statement.
Students were offered the option of voluntarily submitting scores through 2022. Students who declined to submit results wouldn’t be penalized in the admissions process, but good scores may help an applicant’s admissions prospects.
A spokesperson for the University of California said that the university is considering further legal action.
“An injunction may interfere with the University’s efforts to implement an appropriate and comprehensive admissions policies and its ability to attract and enroll students of diverse backgrounds and experiences,” according to a statement given to the Washington Examiner.
