We speak with Harry Feder of FairTest, an organization that advocates for fair and open testing, about the reinstitution of standardized test requirements at some “Ivy Plus” colleges, and why it matters. We discuss how testing choices affect inclusion and exclusion in admissions and what most non-“Ivy Plus” schools do. In a follow-up interview with Harry Feder, we will discuss standardized tests in K-12 schools.
Overview
00:00-00:46 Intros
00:46-05:06 History of college admissions tests
05:06-08:33 What the SAT purports to test and what it tests
08:33-10:33 The SAT, admissions, and math
10:33-12:52 Standardized tests and reading
12:52-18:41 When colleges moved toward test-optional and test free
18:41-24:40 Colleges reinstituting test requirements
24:40-30:52 Admissions policies and a more democratic society
30:52-34:50 The issue of grade inflation
34:34- Outro
Transcript
Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.
References
- Mother Jones’ article “Is Florida’s SAT Replacement Exam A) Christian Nationalism or B) Woke Propaganda?”
- Fairtest website
- Click here to listen to the second part of our interview with Harry Feder
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear