Standardized Tests & College Admissions

Current Research for the MLA Summer Debate Camp…

TOPIC: Standardized Tests & Undergraduate Admissions

Resolved: In the United States, colleges and universities ought not consider standardized tests in undergraduate admissions decisions.

HANDOUTS AND PACKETS (& Critical Thinking Assignments): 

[-] LD Research – Standardized Testing & College Admissions (Big Sky Debate, 2019-09-01).pdf (DOC)
[-] LD Research – Standardized Testing & College Admissions (Champion Briefs, 2019-09-01).pdf
[-] LD Research – Standardized Testing & College Admissions (Premier Debate, 2019-09-01).pdf (DOC)
[-] LD Research – Standardized Testing & College Admissions (Victory Briefs, 2019-09-01).pdf

Potentially Useful Whiteboard Photos (Some are from a different topic, but the concept is the same):
[-] WB Photo (Theory) – \’Organizational Model\’ Revised (MLA, 2019-09-01).jpg
[-] WB Photo (Theory) – \’Research & Organization\’ (MLA, 2019-09-01).jpg
[-] WB Photo (BRI Topic) – \’Bullet List & Revised Organization Model\’ 01 (MLA, 2019-09-01).jpg
[-] WB Photo (BRI) – \’Partial Organization Model & Note Card\’ MLA, 2019-09-01).jpg
[-] WB Photo (Theory) – Aristotle Artistic Proof (MLA, 2019-09).jpg
[-] WB Photo (LD Theory) – Page 01 Introduction (MLA, 2019-09).jpg
[-] WB Photo (LD Theory) – Page 02 Framework (MLA, 2019-09).jpg
[-] WB Photo (LD Theory) – Page 03 Advocacy (MLA, 2019-09).jpg
[-] WB Photo (LD Theory) – Page 04 Contentions (MLA, 2019-09).jpg
[-] WB Photo (LD Theory) – Evidence Writing (MLA, 2019-09).jpg

BACKGROUND: 

American Universities Must Choose: Do They Want to Be Equal or Elite?,
Dr. Daniel Markovits, Professor of Law, Yale University, TIME Magazine, September 12, 2019
https://time.com/5676174/universities-equality-eliteness/
NOTE: Prof. Markovits is Guido Calabresi professor of law at Yale Law School and the author of The Meritocracy Trap: How America’s Foundational Myth Feeds Inequality, Dismantles the Middle Class, and Devours the Elite, published by Penguin Press

Abolish Standardized Testing For College Admissions,
Theresa E. Hernandez, Huffington Post, May 22, 2018
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/abolish-standardized-testing-for-college-admissions_n_5b045869e4b003dc7e470ee3
A new study from the National Association for College Admission Counseling provides evidence that test-optional policies ― a variety of policies that allow students not to submit scores on standardized tests like the SAT or GRE during the admissions process ― can help colleges improve their diversity without sacrificing academic quality. The study found that schools that do not require the SAT/ACT saw an increased enrollment of underrepresented students of color relative to comparable institutions that require a test score and that admitted students who did not submit scores were just as likely to graduate as admitted students who did. The report also found that high school grade point average (GPA) was a better predictor of success in college GPA than test scores for non-submitters.
NOTE: Theresa E. Hernandez is a scholar of higher education policy working toward her doctorate at the University of Southern California. Her research examines issues of race, gender, class and intersectional equity in academia.

Ivy League mania warps students and colleges alike,
Christine Emba, Columnist, Washington Post, December 7, 2018 [1 min]
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2018/12/07/our-ivy-covered-compulsion/
But last month, the New York Times published a report that revealed Landry was not all it seemed. As it turned out, the school’s administration forged transcripts and confected harrowing life stories to appeal to college admissions officers, and abused its students in pursuit of high test scores while neglecting to teach some of the basics of writing and math. Its founder, Michael Landry, pitted black and white students against each other, forced students to kneel for long periods, and at times choked and hit them.

College Board Drops Its \’Adversity Score\’ For Each Student After Backlash,
NPR News, August 27, 2019 [3 min]
https://www.npr.org/2019/08/27/754799550/college-board-drops-its-adversity-score-for-each-student-after-backlash

REQUIRED RESEARCH VIDEOS:

[AFF] New report urges overhaul of the college admissions process,
CBS News, January 20, 2016 [5 min]
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/harvard-graduate-school-of-education-report-college-admission-process-changes/
IMPORTANT: Search for \”Turning the Tide\” from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

[AFF] Fewer than 1 in 5 Americans think the college admissions process is fair,
CNBC, March 20, 2019 [1 min]
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/20/under-20percent-of-americans-think-the-college-admissions-process-is-fair.html
NOTE: Skim the article — It has some decent facts on the cheating scandal (a small part of the topic!).

[AFF] Here\’s What Could Happen to the Students Involved in the College Admissions Scheme,
TIME Magazine, March 15, 2019 [2 min]
https://time.com/5551752/college-admissions-students/
NOTE: Please read/skim the short article too.

[NEG] Facing the standardized tests,
_____ , Asst. Dean, Diversity & Outreach, Stanford University, Khan Academy, August 17, 2014 [2 min]
https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/college-admissions/making-high-school-count/standardized-tests/v/facing-the-standardized-tests
NOTE: She is a \”top\” expert in the field, from a prestigious university. who is she?? Video doesn\’t mention! 😉

REQUIRED RESEARCH ARTICLES:

The Future of College Entrance Exams,
Lauren Camera, Education Reporter, U.S. News & World Report, October 26, 2018
https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2018-10-26/the-new-opt-out-movement-colleges-make-entrance-exams-optional

[AFF] Students need more than an SAT adversity score, they need a boost in wealth,
Dr. Andre M. Perry, Brookings Institution, May 17, 2019
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2019/05/17/students-need-more-than-an-sat-adversity-score-they-need-a-boost-in-wealth/

[NEG] A change for the better,
William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions, Harvard Gazette, March 19, 2014
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2014/03/a-change-for-the-better/

\”OPTIONAL\” PRO-CON ARTICLES: 

Is the Use of Standardized Tests Improving Education in America?,
Procon.org, Last Updated: May 24, 2019
https://standardizedtests.procon.org/

The Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing,
Bryan Nixon, Head of School at TASIS England, Whitby School, Last Accessed: August 2019
https://www.whitbyschool.org/passionforlearning/the-pros-and-cons-of-standardized-testing
Note: Currently Head of School at TASIS England. Previously served the Whitby School community for 5 years.

When Colleges Go Test-Optional, Who Benefits?,
Forbes Magazine, July 30, 2015
https://www.forbes.com/sites/noodleeducation/2015/07/30/when-colleges-go-test-optional-who-benefits/#4b372ed37807

Is Standardized College Admissions Testing on the Way Out?,
Liz Schulte, Direct Network, June 26, 2018
https://directnetwork.mbsdirect.net/is-standardized-college-admissions-testing-on-the-way-out

Examining the Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing,
Derrick Meador, Superintendent, Jennings Public Schools, Thought Company, June 21, 2019
https://www.thoughtco.com/examining-the-pros-and-cons-of-standardized-testing-3194596
Note: Derrick Meador is the superintendent for Jennings Public Schools and holds a master\’s degree in educational leadership.

What Test-Optional Means for College Admissions,
Laura Grey, College Vine, July 11, 2018
https://blog.collegevine.com/what-test-optional-means-for-college-admissions/

ADDITIONAL \”OPTIONAL\” RESEARCH ARTICLES & VIDEOS:

[Coaching Video] Sept/Oct 2019 Lincoln-Douglas Topic Analysis,
Adam Tomasi, Champion Briefs, September 3, 2019 [24 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieI4mQfTURQ&feature=youtu.be
IMPORTANT: This is NOT evidence — it is free coaching advice on arguments/strategy(ies).

Why do over 1,000 colleges no longer require standardized test scores for admission?,
Miami Herald, July 31, 2019
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article232844152.html
Note: Skip the video; completely unimportant information.

4 More Colleges Go Test-Optional,
Scott Jaschik, Editor/Co-Founder, Inside Higher Ed, June 17, 2019
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2019/06/17/four-more-colleges-drop-standardized-test-requirements-admissions

Editorial: The college admissions process was scandalous long before we learned about celebrity bribes,
Los Angeles Times, March 12, 2019 [1 min]
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-college-admission-scandal-huffman-loughlin-20190312-story.html
NOTE: Provides a detailed account of how parents bought admission to elite schools.

Pros and Cons of the SAT,
Anika Manzoor, Magoosh, Last Updated: March 19, 2019
https://magoosh.com/hs/sat/2016/pros-cons-sat/
NOTE: Magoosh is a play on the Old Persian word magush, one who is highly learned, wise and generous.

Yes, IQ Really Matters,
David Z. Hambrick, Slate Magazine, April 14, 2014
https://slate.com/technology/2014/04/what-do-sat-and-iq-tests-measure-general-intelligence-predicts-school-and-life-success.html

More Than 1000 Accredited Colleges/Universities That Do Not Use ACT/SAT Scores to Admit Substantial Numbers of Students Into Bachelor Programs,
Fairtest.org, Last Updated: Summer 2019
http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
NOTE: See the fact sheets section — extensive!

How Colleges Determine Merit Scholarships,
US News & World Report, August 23, 2011
https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-solution/2011/08/23/how-colleges-determine-merit-scholarships

College Admissions: What to Know About the New SAT \”Adversity\” Score,
Dr. Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D., College Career Consulting, May 20, 2019
https://collegecareerconsulting.com/college-admissions-what-to-know-about-the-new-sat-adversity-score-dont-worry-be-happy/

OPINION: Standardized tests offer ‘a neutral yardstick’ in college admissions,
Jack Buckley, The Hechinger Report, April 24, 2018
https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-standardized-tests-offer-a-neutral-yardstick-in-college-admissions/
NOTE: Jack Buckley is the senior vice president of research and evaluation at the American Institutes for Research and a research associate professor of applied statistics at New York University. He is the co-editor, with Lynn Letukas and Ben Wildavsky, of Measuring Success: Testing, Grades, and the Future of College Admissions (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2017).

College Admissions: Why Standardized Testing Scores Matter,
Ana Felce, Azusa Pacific University, March 21, 2019
https://www.apu.edu/articles/college-admissions-why-standardized-testing-scores-matter/

CONTACT INFORMATION (Coach Bill):

Bill Eddy,
coachbill@magnetacademy.com
714.655.8135 (I prefer text)
When contacting me, please include your name and class information (day/time). Thanks!

AT: Grade Inflation

1.) Teacher Training Prevents Abuse
Protecting the Protectors: Limited Liability from Students’ Lawsuits
The Educator\’s Room, Feb 14, 2013

Protecting the Protectors: Limited Liability from Students’ Lawsuits

Teachers have responsibilities beyond the act of just teaching. They must participate in professional development sessions, instruct students using a variety of research-based strategies, and maintain up-to-date student records. One of the most important teacher responsibilities is to maintain a welcoming and safe learning environment. In many teacher evaluation instruments, a teacher is assessed on his or her ability to uphold a secure and orderly environment. The premise behind this teacher duty is that learning cannot take place when students feel threatened.

2.) Lawsuits for Not Following School Procedures
Protecting the Protectors: Limited Liability from Students’ Lawsuits
The Educator\’s Room, Feb 14, 2013

Protecting the Protectors: Limited Liability from Students’ Lawsuits

Not all states must comply with the requirements of the Teacher Protection Act. The Act only applies to states that receive Title I funding and compliance with the Act is a prerequisite to receive such federal funding. The overall goal of the Teacher Protection Act is to reduce the number of lawsuits brought against teachers, administrators, and other personnel based on decisions made to maintain order on school grounds.

The Act limits liability if the following five conditions are met.
1.) The district employee was acting within the scope of employment;
2.) The actions of the district employee is in conformity with federal, state, and local laws;
3.) The district employee was properly licensed or certified in the jurisdiction where the activity occurred;
4.) The harm to the student was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious indifference to the safety of the student; and
5.) The harm was not caused by the operation of a motor vehicle for which the state requires a license and insurance.