standardized testing

November 5, 2020

Shorter exams will replace California’s annual Smarter Balanced tests

Federal education officials said they will not waive testing requirements for the 2020-21 school year.

November 4, 2020

California to consider shorter Smarter Balanced tests this spring

The State Board of Education will vote this week on whether to shorten the state’s annual standardized tests in math and English language arts.

September 8, 2020

Many California high school seniors still want to take SAT/ACT even though they are optional at many colleges

Many testing sessions for the SAT and ACT were canceled in pandemic. Some remain scheduled for the fall, with social distancing and masks required.

May 21, 2020

In historic action, UC moves to drop SAT/ACT and develop a replacement exam for admissions

Ending the SAT/ACT as a requirement for freshman admission at UC will likely get attention nationally. Supporters of the move expect it will result in more ethnic and income diversity on campuses. Critics fear it will backfire.

Larry Gordon

College & Careers

May 11, 2020

UC president wants SAT/ACT mandate suspended through 2024 and new exam created

UC's Napolitano plan conflicts in part with faculty position and could be very influential nationally. UC regents are to vote on the issue next week.

Larry Gordon

Covid-19

April 20, 2020

University of California faculty leaders want admissions tests restored after health crisis

Requirements for SAT or ACT are suspended for a year and UC faculty votes to keep the exams in the future. Regents will have the final say.

Larry Gordon

College & Careers

April 17, 2020

California State University suspends SAT/ACT testing for 2021-22 admissions, joining UC

CSU officials say their action does not mean testing is permanently dropped as an admissions requirement. Grade point averages will take on more weight.

Larry Gordon

College Readiness

April 16, 2020

SAT and ACT plan at-home college admissions exams for fall if crisis keeps schools closed

Exams will include high-tech proctoring to discourage cheating. UC temporarily has dropped the tests as admissions requirements.

Larry Gordon

College & Careers

April 1, 2020

University of California suspends SAT/ACT requirements for 2021 applicants

UC's one-year pause in testing does not mean a permanent end to SAT/ACT for admissions. CSU may follow. Neither university will require letter grades for high school courses this spring.

Larry Gordon

Student Health

March 11, 2020

Coronavirus could delay standardized testing until later in school year for California students

School districts can't cancel testing without approval, but they can delay it to later in the school year.

Sydney Johnson

Math and Science

February 7, 2020

Less than a third of California students met or exceeded standards on new science test

The results are the first set of scores for a new test aligned with California’s new science standards.

Sydney Johnson

College & Careers

February 4, 2020

Critics will fight on despite faculty report urging University of California to keep SAT and ACT in admissions

A faculty task force says the University of California should continue to require SAT or ACT for freshmen admissions. Opponents will continue their fight.