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Friday, July 24, 2020

Lawsuit over optional testing

From the BruinA group of students and organizations filed a lawsuit Wednesday that argues the University of California’s test-optional standardized testing policy discriminates against marginalized students.
The plaintiffs state in the lawsuit that the UC’s test-optional policy fails to address the disadvantages that disabled students, low-income students and students of color face and ask the court to prevent the UC from using test scores in any capacity. 

The UC first suspended the standardized test requirement in April due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The UC Board of Regents adopted a plan at their May meeting, which would make standardized tests optional through 2022, and remove testing from admissions criteria by 2024. However, the UC reserved the right to use any submitted scores for course placement or scholarship consideration.

The lawsuit states that students with disabilities face difficulties finding accommodations to take standardized tests, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some students “must risk their lives” to take tests if they are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus, according to the lawsuit. In addition, the suit states that UC admissions are test-optional in name only, because some low-income students and students of color face significant obstacles in taking and submitting test scores. 

UC spokesperson Claire Doan said in an emailed statement that the new policy was intended to provide flexibility for students who may be struggling during the pandemic and give them full consideration for admission whether or not they are able to send a score. However, Doan said the suit was an attempt to leverage the court system to bypass analysis by University officials...

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