California board of regents to review SAT/ACT testing ban after 1,400 professors warn of ‘severe’ math gaps

The University of California (UC) has announced a comprehensive review of its standardized testing policy, reversing course after widespread faculty concerns over student preparedness. Over 1,400 professors across UC campuses signed an open letter demanding the reinstatement of SAT/ACT requirements, particularly for STEM majors, citing severe math deficiencies among incoming students. UC President James B. Milliken stated that the review, proposed by the UC Academic Senate, will assess admissions policies and student readiness, with an initial report expected in July. Data from UC San Diego’s Senate–Administration Working Group on Admissions (SAWG) revealed a dramatic increase in underprepared students, with those testing below high school math proficiency rising from 1 in 200 in 2020 to nearly 1 in 8 over five years. Alarmingly, 70% of these students fell below middle school proficiency, equating to roughly 1 in 12 of the entire entering cohort. Faculty also noted that high school transcripts have become unreliable due to grade inflation and AI-generated essays, undermining admissions evaluations. The review comes amid broader debates over academic standards, with professors arguing that standardized tests provide objective benchmarks to ensure baseline readiness. Karajean Hyde, co-director of the UC Irvine Math Project, emphasized the need for measurable standards to prevent students from being placed in demanding STEM programs without adequate preparation. While UC has historically supported under-resourced students, faculty warn that current policies may strain resources and harm students by setting them up for failure. The UC Board of Regents and Milliken have framed the review as a data-driven effort to strengthen student success, though critics argue the delay in addressing these issues has already created significant challenges for instructors. The faculty-led Academic Senate will examine both admissions criteria and preparatory measures, with findings expected to influence future policies across UC’s nine campuses.