NYT Writer Defends UC's Inclusive Admissions Despite Basic Math Struggles
An opinion piece in The New York Times argues that increased access and graduation rates for underrepresented students at the University of California outweigh concerns about declining basic math proficiency.
A guest essayist for The New York Times has defended the University of California's (UC) move away from standardized testing, arguing that increased access and record graduation rates for minority students justify potential struggles with basic mathematics. The op-ed, written by Miriam Pawal, author of "California Dream: The Making and Remaking of the University of California," contends that the UC system is successfully increasing access without sacrificing excellence.
Pawal highlighted statistics indicating that around 40% of UC students are the first in their families to attend college and that more than half qualify for free tuition. She stated that when the UC eliminated SAT requirements in 2021, UCLA saw a significant increase in applications from high-achieving Black and Latino students, for whom standardized tests had previously been a barrier. The California Dream Act, she noted, has also provided undocumented students with access to financial aid and in-state tuition.
However, the essay's central argument has drawn criticism, with some readers and educators expressing concern that the UC system has indeed sacrificed academic standards to boost inclusivity. Critics point to reports of students arriving at UC campuses with significant gaps in their foundational math skills, with some professors claiming they are forced to teach middle school-level math to calculus and advanced science students.
More than 680 professors across the UC system signed an open letter in May urging the reinstatement of standardized tests. They argued that curriculum dilution has become so severe that they must re-teach basic mathematics while simultaneously covering advanced material required for STEM fields. This, they contend, creates polarized courses and weakens the educational foundation for many students, hindering progress in advanced work.
Pawal, however, downplayed these concerns in her essay, framing the issue as one of ensuring students gain admission and graduate, regardless of their current mathematical proficiency. She advocated for the UC system to "redouble its commitment to forge its own path, to remain a beacon of hope," and stated that "now is not the moment to regress."
The University of California Board of Regents voted in 2020 to eliminate SAT and ACT scores from admissions considerations, following arguments from lawyers representing low-income students that the exams were discriminatory. The debate over the balance between access and academic rigor continues as the system grapples with the preparedness of its student body.