The largest four-year university system in the United States has removed SAT and ACT scores from its application requirements, marking a significant shift in the national discussion to eliminate standardized testing from admissions decisions.
Removing the requirement will “level the playing field” for all students, acting Chancellor Steve Relyea argued after the California State University’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted Wednesday to scrap standardized testing. The move will diversify the school system’s student body by removing obstacles that often hinder some prospective students from applying, the board said.
“In essence, we are eliminating our reliance on a high-stress, high-stakes test that has shown negligible benefit and providing our applicants with greater opportunities to demonstrate their drive, talents, and potential for college success,” Relyea said in a statement.
The California State University has utilized a “test-free” admissions system for the last two academic years “in response to the pandemic and other factors challenging students and families today.“
In lieu of standardized testing, the board of trustees said it would utilize a set of “multi-factored admission criteria” to admit prospective students, such as their high school GPA, extracurricular involvement, and household income.
via joemiller
