There is pushback to the University of Wisconsin’s decision to make the SAT and ACT optional for students for the next few years.
State Sen. Duey Striebel, R-Cedarburg, on Tuesday said the plan to accept students’ high school grades only is short-sighted and politically motivated.
“Proponents of test-optional policies claim that standardized tests are biased, and that making them optional will help improve diversity on college campuses while addressing ‘systemic inequities’ in the world of higher education. This theory continues to be disproven, with numerous scholars noting that required testing can actually help identify disadvantaged students who have the potential to succeed in higher education,” Stroebel said.
UW regents approved an extension of the test-option policy. The university will not require the SAT or the ACT until at least the fall of 2027.