The New State Standard OREGON UNIVERSITIES SHIFT TOWARD OPTIONAL TESTING FOR ADMISSIONS
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TEST OPTIONAL UNIVERSITIES IN OREGON
By Ming Wong
1) Portland State University enior Megumi Ludlow was tight on emotions, saying that 2) Oregon Health & Science University 3) Oregon State University she was “very stressed” preparing to take the SAT and ACT, 4) Western Oregon University spending hours preparing out of a workbook before taking 5) University of Oregon these test last year. However, there’s been a growing movement 6) Southern Oregon University across the nation, including in Oregon, where eight universities have a subjective measurement that involves 7) Oregon Institute of Technology decided to permanently go optional on requiring tests such as the looking at what they’ve done ... And if 8) Eastern Oregon University SAT and ACT for college admissions, according to an article pub- anything, I would think that would introlished on Oregon State University’s website. duce more implicit bias.” As someone who sees students everyday, WilAmanda Price, an admissions evaluator for OSU, said, “SAT For students like Ludlow and Hoffert-Hay, they lard hopes for a brighter future. “I value intellecand ACT scores, if submitted, will be considered along with GPA, were driven by scholarships as a reason to take tual curiosity. I value knowledge and the pursuit classes taken, the essay, personal statement, and extracurricular them. However, the University of Oregon, anothof knowledge ... I think that every community activities,” saying that submitting scores will only help you in the er college in Oregon that is test optional, said in a is going to be healthier under a circumstance admission process. statement on their admissions page that scores won’t where everyone’s educated.” Among students and staff, the change has been seen mostly as a be “considered in any merit- or need-based awards positive. Junior counselor and test coordinator Jan Rasmussen be- (scholarships).” lieves this a better way to represent students. But there’s more reasons than just scholarships “I totally agree with the movement of going optional. One day to take these tests. of teachers strongly agree that in one test doesn’t always totally represent who “I encourage people to students are better represented that student is … Grades and the classes you take these tests because it take are way more representative of what a stuby grades and classes than a helps you learn how to test SAT FEE WAIVERS ARE dent can do,” Rasmussen said. well, so if you’re going to SAT/ACT test score, according AVAILABLE TO LOW-INCOME Senior Bella Hoffert-Hay has similar feelcollege it can be a useful to 18 teachers 11TH AND 12TH GRADE ings about what four years of high school shows skill,” said Ludlow. about her and her classmates. “The kids of toFor students still looking STUDENTS IN THE U.S. OR day, they’re very busy ... I think my grades and to take these tests, RasmusU.S TERRITORIES my activities show a lot more about me than just sen said that most practice a score.” resources can be found onof sophomores took the PSAT As a student, Hoffert-Hay feels that though line through websites such COLLEGE BOARD in 2021, according to Jan standardized tests pose barriers, students should as College Board, but emRasmussen still be expected to meet a standard. “I’m really phasizes that the best way to good at reading and writing, and I’m just bad at math,” Hoffert-Hay prepare is being in the classroom. said. “We still offer the PSAT to students here at the English teacher Blain Willard hopes that the elimination of these school so they get their practice,” Rasmussen said. obstacles takes some of the burden off getting a higher education. “Our curriculum and our teachers do a great job of seniors took the SAT in 2019, “If we see test prep and test scores as a barrier that’s preventing preparing students for education in general, which according to Jan Rasmussen uneducated or low income households from entering college, then prepares them for tests.” with the removal of that barrier, we would hope some people access For Willard, he feels he’s doing just that. “I asthat,” said Willard. sume that if I’m teaching critical reading skills, and According to a statement by the Vice Provost for Enrollment we’re doing a lot with reading and writing that those Management of OSU, there’s been a shift toward optional submis- skills are transferable,” he said. “Hopefully, students of teachers agree that their sion because of “issues of equity and justice in the use of them (stan- are acquiring those skills that will lead them to sucdardized tests) in the admissions process.” However, senior Gabriel cess.” teaching prepares students to LaChapelle doesn’t feel that removing them is exactly solving the Junior Ava Remington felt a range of emotions be successful on an SAT/ACT, problem. taking the PSAT. “I was really nervous. I know that according to 17 teachers “A standardized test is as objective of a measurement as you it was just for practice, but I still wanted to get a can get. I can’t imagine that would actually reduce bias to get rid of good score on it,” Remington said. “I was happy them,” said LaChapelle. “Presumably you’ve got some bit more of when it was over.”
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36.1% 41.1%
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THE WHIRLWIND
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