The new law prohibiting Illinois universities from requiring standardized test scores for admission went into effect Jan. 1. | Canva
The new law prohibiting Illinois universities from requiring standardized test scores for admission went into effect Jan. 1. | Canva
This week, Rep. Dan Ugaste, an Illinois Republican, offered his views on the state's law regarding the disclosure of standardized test scores this week — and they weren't positive.
The law, which took effect Jan. 1, will prohibit Illinois public universities from requiring standardized test scores for admissions.
"[I'm] all for universities making the decision," he said. "They’re the educators, let them decide who may be qualified, to decide who may be able to earn a degree from their school."
The organization FairTest has created a list of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that have eliminated ACT or SAT score requirements. The number one reason schools gave for eliminating this requirement is the belief that those tests “favor students from privileged backgrounds.” The National Association for College Admission Counseling conducted a study and found that schools that don’t require standardized test scores have more diversity.
A University of Illinois math professor, Rochelle Gutierrez, an anthology for teachers in which she argued that math is racist, National Review reported, stating “mathematics itself operates as Whiteness.”
Ugaste reiterated that standardized testing requirements should be in the hands of the universities.
"I think it's best left to educators," he said. "I don't think public universities are trying to press a racial practice. Most have some sort of diverse programs as part of their operations. Just means they want to know how person did on standardized test. We should not be telling educators how to run things."
According to the latest data from the Illinois State Board of Education, the number of Illinois students in 3rd-11th grade who meet grade-level standards decreased by 18% in the last two years in math and by 17% in English. Among Chicago Public School 11th graders, only 23% met grade-level standards for reading and only 21% met grade-level standards for math.
When asked whether removing standardized was a cover for a poor quality of Illinois public education, "[That's] definitely a possibility," Ugaste responded.
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