Report finds some students with high SAT scores denied

AP/Bay Area.com ^ | Oct. 22, 2003

[demkicker]

Doesn't surprise me one bit. Many educrats in California have been trying for years to abolish the SAT as a measure of knowledge to determine college entrance. Once again California leads the way toward dumb down hell. I hope these kids ban together and file a class action law suit.

[bobjam]

The SAT has to be used extensively because grades can vary in meaning from high school to high school. An A in English in one school may be much more difficult to attain than in another school. Though the SAT (or ACT) score coupled with unweighted gpa in essential classes (Math, English, foreign language, science and history) should be given primacy, other factors such as sports, clubs and non school activities (church, scouting, a job) should be considered.

[demkicker]

Doesn't surprise me one bit. Many educrats in California have been trying for years to abolish the SAT as a measure of knowledge to determine college entrance. Once again California leads the way toward dumb down hell. I hope these kids ban together and file a class action law suit.

[Wonder Warthog]

"...following research that showed those scores were not as reliable as grades in showing how well a student would do in college."

And what research might that be?? AFAIK, the research has always shown that SAT scores were a BETTER predictor of success in college than school grades.

[ventana]

Yeah, but now they are changing the SAT's and why? Because the California University system put pressure on the College Board to do so. V's wife.

[gunnedah]

This is just another way the liberals manipulate the system to suit their agenda.They have control of the educational system,voter registration and most of the so called "Mainstrem Media". In another 50 years America will be the next terrorist breeding ground and our elected officials in DC aid and abet them daily.My only question is are the politicians doing this unwittingly or is it intentional?

[FreedomPoster]

I'm sure the libs have dummied-up some research to show that, as it is currently inconvenient for them, to have the SAT be the best predictor of college success. Since they pretty well own academia, it would be trivial to do.

[Publius6961]

The SAT has to be used extensively because grades can vary in meaning from high school to high school.

YA THINK?!!
It's a self-esteem thing, ya know.

The fact that the SAT is a uniform means of attempting to cancel out games and "good intentions" by the terminally clueless should have nothing to do with it.

They mean well.

[xzins]

If school grades are a better indicator of how well a student does in college, then there should be more weight given to student high school grades.

That simply seems sensible to me.

The SAT is just one test. A high school career is 4 years of hard work. Hard work is more significant to success anyplace than is the ability to do well on one test.

In fact, I'd consider anything that shows the ability to do serious work. I'd consider jobs outside of school for those who needed to work while in high school. If they could do that and keep up decent grades, then that sends a message to me. The same with those who excel at sports that require hard work. If a kid can put in that kind of hard work with absolutely no class credits given for the athletic work, and still keep decent grades, then I'm inclined to think that that work ethic should be taken into consideration.

Sorry, but we need better ammunition than the SAT for saying that admissions is biased or prejudiced.

[veronica]

Kids who don't do well on their SAT'S are not necessarily undeserving of admission to a good school, but that does not mean that kids with high SAT scores should be rejected.

The fact is a kid who scores well on the SAT's is most likely very bright, and should be given the considertion an excellent SAT score warrants.

[OpusatFR]

What is the graduation rate from University for those admitted with low scores?

If they dropped out, then that is a terrible use of resources and those people would have been better served in another educational setting.

[xzins]

It's a total package. High SAT, good grades, and other activity should be a top-notch record.

But Good Grades, other activity, and Middle SAT should be a better record than -

High SAT, middle grades, and no other activity.

The latter case is the record of a non-worker....he/she might be smart, but they are, nonetheless, a non-worker.

[cupcakes]

Makes sense though doesn't it? Kids who aren't bright enough to even get a nominal SAT score are probably much easier to brain wash and manipulate with liberal college politics than a person with a high SAT score and some basic critical thinking skills.

[cupcakes]

Well homeschooling has been on their hitlest for a while and I bet they'd like to see tests that shame the education system done away with while at the same time making it that much harder for children who did not get "grades" because they are homeschooled.

[cupcakes]

You are right and I think it is an indication that perhaps those with lower scores might need a trip to community college first to brush up on some things they might have missed. I don't know why kids who didn't really give too much of a lick about doing well in high school now can't "belittle" themselves to attend the local community college. If they wanted university that bad, they could have worked harder to get the better grades and SAT scores.
I'm speaking as someone who had to go that route after I dropped out of 11th grade with all honors classes due to a crappy home life. You do what you have to do and yes it stinks to watch friends go full scholarship to the university, but I did take away some valuable lessons going that route and I oftentimes did much better in higher education than friends who went straight there did who never got to see what the alternative is to a college education and a good job(conveniences stores, retail, drudgery work).

[cupcakes]

Yup, this is why community college serves as a better stop over for kids with low scores. It can sort out those who really are serious about moving on to higher education and those who are not.

[only1percent]

The SAT II (formerly known as the Achievement Tests) counts almost twice the weight as the SAT I in the U.C. admission formula, which is appropriate. The absolute numbers are also quite small -- we simply don't know enough about the high SAT I students who were rejected to have a firm view on this.

From the standpoint of fairness, I can't imagine anything more fair than to reject someone with mediocre grades and high SAT I's. Such a person is very likely to be lazy ... a formula for poor achievement in college if I've ever heard of one. In my view, the value of SATs is simply to validate the apparent competence shown in high grades. In other words, low SATs throws high grades into doubt as evidence of qualification, but a high SAT doesn't throw low grades into doubt as evidence of disqualification, absent an extraordinarily difficult curriculum.

[strider44]

Good points all. You have to throw class rank in their too. Did you happen to read the latest Time magazine article about the "new" SAT? I was all ready to be pissed off about them dumbing down the test, but it actually looks like the test will be more difficult in the future. I especially agree with a new essay requirement. I taught economics to 11th graders (once a week) and was shocked by how poor these kids communicate via writing.

[Capt.YankeeMike]

ref: your post #10...High School is 4 years of hard work? thats laughable....i didnt take a single book home all four years and made straight A's...High School is a joke...
The Capt.