Without standardized testing in admissions, professors said they don’t know whether incoming students can handle college-level math.
“Basic mathematical fluency is analogous to literacy; without it, success in university-level STEM becomes structurally unattainable for students,” faculty wrote.
UC gained national attention in May 2020 when regents unanimously voted to suspend SAT and ACT testing requirements and eliminate them entirely by 2025.
UC leadership has not formally endorsed the faculty letter on testing, but system leaders said Wednesday that they were listening to the underlying concerns.
In 11th grade, the most relevant grade relating to college readiness, 30.5% of students met or exceeded math learning standards.
Of these, nearly half exceeded the learning standard — marking them as likely to be the best prepared for a college STEM major.
Any change to UC admissions requirements must move through the Academic Senate admissions board committee before going to the Board of Regents. »