Author: FairTest

The most prestigious scholarship competition in the U.S., the National Merit Scholarships, use Preliminary SAT (nearly identical to the SAT I) scores as the sole criterion to select semifinalists. The resultant pool has historically been predominantly male because boys score higher on the PSAT even though girls earn higher grades in high school (and college). […]

Over 815 colleges and universities across the United States admit a substantial number of students without regard to test scores. Read FairTest’s report Test Scores Do Not Equal Merit on-line to learn more about test-score optional admissions, or review the Executive Summary below. Over 815 four-year colleges and universities across the U.S., acting on the […]

More than 700 colleges and universities in the United States admit a substantial number of students without regard to test scores. This list includes both large, public university systems, as well as small, private liberal arts colleges. Regardless of size, selectivity, or geographic location, “test-score optional” schools are widely pleased with the results, reporting a […]

Many university leaders are realizing that the preoccupation with test scores hinders educational equity and has come at the expense of students’ other high school experiences. These concerns, along with an awareness that test scores add little to an understanding of a student’s capabilities, have led a growing number of colleges and universities to go […]

Many state-funded, college-based, and private scholarship programs are increasingly basing receipt of financial aid on measures of academic “merit” rather than monetary need. The amount given out by states under “merit” programs now more than doubles the money earmarked for “need-based” scholarships: in early 2001, 13 states offered “merit-based” funding to students that totaled $709 […]

Proposition 16 governs the NCAA’s initial eligibility requirements for student-athletes at more than 300 Division I colleges and universities. Implemented in 1995, Prop. 16 is a more restrictive successor to Proposition 48, which went into effect in 1986. High school graduates who do not meet Prop. 16’s requirements are precluded from participating in intercollegiate competition […]

In addition to their generally poor ability to predict achievement, their misuse, and their susceptibility to coaching, university admissions tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, and MCAT limit educational equity and block access to higher education for otherwise qualified students. This impact weighs especially heavily on Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans, females, and low-income […]

NOTE: call in number for journalists1-888-413-4411 for further information: Bob Schaefferconfirm # 5186326 (941) 395-6773(857) 350-8207 for use after 9:30am, Wednesday, April 25, 2001, Rayburn 2237 news conferenceA group of national education reform, civil rights and child advocacy organizations today urged Congress to reject a Bush Administration proposal to require every state to administer standardized […]

for information contact:Monty Neill (857) 350-8207Bob Schaeffer (941) 395-6773 for immediate release, Monday, July 23, 2001 Members of the Congressional conference committee attempting to reconcile differences in Senate and House-passed versions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) today received a packet of materials documenting “fundamental problems” with the proposals and outlining “minimum revisions” […]

for further information:Monty Neill (FairTest) (857) 350-8207Michael T. S. Wotorson (NAACP) (410) 580-5614Jan Resseger (United Church of Christ) (216) 308-9611Reggie Felton (National School Boards Association) 703-838-6782Joel Packer (NEA) (202) 822-7329 for release Wednesday, January 3, 2007 As the fifth anniversary of the “No Child Left Behind” law draws near, 100 national civil rights, education, disability […]