Value of standardized tests in college admissions disputed

Re “The UCSD lesson: Math proficiency scandal shows need for standardized tests and folly of dumbing school down” (Nov. 30): Megan McArdle’s column conflicts with higher education scholarship. UC’s psychometric guru, Saul Geiser, has provided evidence that standardized tests have little ability to predict student success at UC campuses. Stanford scholar Claude Steele proved that the SAT’s formats are biased against Chicano and Black students. Research establishes a consistent statistical association between families’ income status and SAT performance because high socioeconomic status students attend resource-rich schools with access to test preparation. McArdle problematizes grade inflation with no scholarly citations as evidence. Geiser’s research showed that high school grades are a better predictor than test scores.

As a member of UCSD’s faculty for 28 years, I saw the uneven teaching by STEM professors who blame students. UCSD has unwarranted math requirements for non-STEM majors. Biased standardized tests decrease access for Chicano, Latino and Black students, and our families ought not support institutions unless they serve our communities equitably.

— Patrick Velasquez, Serra Mesa