Mandate Standardized Testing. Only an objective measure can assure North Carolinians that their universities are not cheating on race.

James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | December 11, 2023 | Stephen Porter

[karpov]

The recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action forbids the use of race in college admissions. Yet North Carolina public universities are already finding ways to circumvent the spirit of the ruling, such as by using essay questions that ask students about challenges they have faced or to reflect on their identity. These prompts allow students to say, for example, “As a Black student … ,” which is indeed permissible under Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard; students are not forbidden from bringing up their race in their applications.

These essay responses, as well as the personal interviews that are often conducted at the graduate level, allow admissions personnel to continue the use of race in admissions. Such efforts can be hidden under claims of “holistic admission,” which supposedly reviews the whole student but actually allows admissions personnel to ignore parts of an application they dislike, like poor academic performance, in favor of other parts, such as the race of the applicant. This raises an important question for the citizens of North Carolina: How can we ensure that our public universities follow the spirit, not just the letter, of the law?

Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard relied on standardized test scores collected from all applicants to demonstrate discrimination against Asian applicants, but our public universities have made standardized test scores optional for applicants, thus burying any evidence of discrimination. Without test scores from all applicants, there can be no evidence of discrimination against some.

My proposal to address this is simple because transparency is the easiest way to ensure accountability. (The Martin Center’s new model legislation, the Fair Admissions Act, takes a similar approach.) The UNC Board of Governors should require our public universities to collect standardized test scores from all undergraduate and graduate applicants

[maddogtiger]

This would reveal a stark difference between races.

[moovova]

Tests are racist.

[EQAndyBuzz]

” “As a Black student … ,” which is indeed permissible under Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard; students are not forbidden from bringing up their race in their applications.”

Will have to try that on my job application and cover letters.

“As a black male, I bring the following skills to the table.”

[SharpRightTurn]

The kooky universities will allow every type of crazed lunacy on the campus but then will spend millions of dollars in court to defend discrimination against Whites and Asians in admissions policies. Parents: choose wisely on where you are sending your children off to. Choose education, not leftist, Woke indoctrination.

[suthener]

“Tests are racist.”

Many years ago I took the local civil service test for police officer. It was a simple general knowledge test and they gave applicants a study booklet to memorize, like suspects descriptions, addresses, etc. I’m no genius, but I lived with that study booklet for two weeks. I took the test and was number 2 on the list. Before the academy class started black people sued because they were too stupid or unmotivated to study and could not pass the test. The federal courts made the county personnel board toss the results and start the whole process all over.

[bk1000]

“As a black male, I bring the following skills to the table.”

You have to capitalize black. It lends more authority. That’s why it’s like that in the AP style guide. Black is capitalized, Hispanic is capitalized, Asian is capitalized, Arabic is capitalized, white is not. Whites, particularly white men, are to be demeaned in America. This is the leftist plan for destruction of the West. Their narcissistic paranoia demands total compliance.

[cymbeline]

“white is not [capitalized]”

Interesting. Maybe they style guide people don’t consider “white” to be a cultural, national or racial group. Maybe “Caucasian” is captalized.

Couldn’t find the AP Style Guide online for free. Looks like you have to buy it.

As an amateur writer (these posts and Christmas cards), I don’t feel compelled to follow a “style guide”.

[1Old Pro]

Without test scores from all applicants, there can be no evidence of (reverse) discrimination against some.

Of course.