Editorials

In response to recent published reports, a University of California provost has denied that California's flagship system for higher education is considering scrapping the Scholastic Aptitude Test. 

C. Judson King, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs for UC, said in a statement Friday that while officials are openly considering all options for making school admissions more fair for students, there are no specific plans  

“The ideas discussed to this point are simply that – ideas,” King said. “We intend to evaluate these ideas carefully, mindful of our legal obligations under Proposition 209.” 

Some critics say the SAT is an unfair admissions standard because its questions are geared for the wealthy, for whites or for males.  

The issue became more pertinent in the wake of voter-approved Proposition 209 – which outlawed affirmative action in public institutions – and university officials say they are trying to ensure the admissions process is fair for students of all backgrounds.  

UC spokesman Terry Lightfoot said, “We’re having a discussion and looking at a variety of ideas.” 

Lightfoot said the misunderstanding arose when a reporter witnessed a UC “brainstorming” session where eliminating the SAT was “one of about a hundred suggestions.''