UC Professors Urge Reinstatement of SAT/ACT Math Requirements Amid Concerns Over Student Preparedness
More than 500 University of California professors have signed a letter urging the reinstatement of SAT and ACT mathematics requirements for admissions, citing significant gaps in incoming students' math preparation that are affecting college-level instruction in STEM fields. The professors argue that the elimination of standardized testing—implemented in 2021 after a 2020 Board of Regents decision—has led to a growing disparity in student readiness, forcing instructors to re-teach middle school math in advanced courses. The policy change followed legal challenges and equity concerns, with critics arguing the tests disadvantaged low-income and underrepresented students. While some UC officials previously praised the move as aligning with institutional values, faculty now warn of long-term consequences for STEM education and workforce readiness. The university system is currently reviewing college readiness policies in response to these concerns.
Fox News provides more complete coverage by including both the faculty concerns and an official institutional response, while also referencing ongoing policy review. New York Post offers greater specificity on the letter’s authors and the legal background of the test ban but omits current administrative follow-up. Both sources agree on core facts but differ in emphasis: Fox News focuses on academic consequences and institutional reaction, while New York Post emphasizes the policy’s origins in equity debates and includes narrative framing around conflict between merit and access.
- ✓ Over 500 University of California professors signed a letter calling for the reinstatement of SAT/ACT math requirements in admissions.
- ✓ The professors cite severe math preparation gaps among incoming students, requiring instructors to re-teach middle school-level mathematics in college-level courses.
- ✓ The letter argues that the absence of standardized testing has led to increased polarization in classrooms between underprepared and well-prepared students, undermining STEM education.
- ✓ The University of California system stopped requiring SAT/ACT scores in admissions starting in fall 2021, following a 2020 Board of Regents decision.
- ✓ The decision to eliminate test requirements was influenced by legal challenges and concerns that standardized tests disadvantaged low-income and underrepresented students.
Framing of the SAT/ACT elimination
Portrays the elimination as having demonstrably negative academic consequences, with emphasis on faculty concern and declining educational standards. References a UC official defending standardized tests by questioning the evidence behind claims of racial discrimination.
Explicitly frames the test ban as a response to claims of racism and inequity, quoting the UC Board of Regents chair calling it a 'step in the right direction.' Positions the professors’ letter as a reaction to a policy driven by social justice concerns.
Mention of legal context
Does not mention the court injunction or lawsuits challenging the use of standardized tests.
Includes detail about a court injunction resulting from lawsuits by rejected students who claimed the SAT/ACT unfairly advantaged wealthier applicants.
Authorship and signatories of the letter
States 'more than 500 faculty members' signed, without naming individuals.
Names specific professors from UC Berkeley, including their departments, and notes the letter was jointly authored by them. Also specifies that 440 professors signed initially.
Institutional response
Includes a quote from Ahmet Palazoglu, chair of the UC Academic Senate, indicating formal faculty review is underway via BOARS.
Does not include any official UC response or follow-up actions beyond the Regents’ 2020 statement.
Fox News
Framing: Fox News frames the event as a crisis in academic standards caused by the removal of standardized testing, emphasizing the strain on faculty and long-term risks to STEM education and workforce development.
Tone: urgent, critical of policy change, supportive of standardized testing
Sensationalism: The headline uses emotionally charged language ('Unprepared,' 'forced to relearn') to emphasize student inadequacy and faculty burden.
"Unprepared college students forced to relearn 'middle school mathematics,' California professors reveal"
Framing by Emphasis: The phrase 'middle school mathematics' is placed in scare quotes, implying disbelief or criticism of the low level of material being taught at the college level.
"re-teach middle school mathematics"
Loaded Language: Includes a sub-headline defending the SAT from 'misguided' attacks, which editorializes and positions critics of testing as irrational.
"SAT DEFENDED FROM 'MISGUIDED' ATTACKS"
Cherry-Picking: Quotes a UC official who questions whether claims about racial discrimination in testing are 'supported by the evidence,' introducing skepticism without presenting counter-evidence.
"UNC OFFICIAL SAYS CONCERNS STANDARDIZED TESTS ARE RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY ARE NOT 'SUPPORTED BY THE EVIDENCE'"
Proper Attribution: Highlights institutional response (BOARS review), suggesting ongoing academic governance engagement, which adds depth and context.
"I called upon our systemwide faculty Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) to address timely topics..."
New York Post
Framing: New York Post frames the issue as a conflict between equity-driven admissions reform and academic preparedness, positioning the professors’ letter as a backlash to a well-intentioned but problematic policy shift.
Tone: narrative-driven, contextual, slightly polemical
Sensationalism: Headline uses strong phrasing ('forced to teach') and scare quotes around 'middle school math' to dramatize the situation and imply a breakdown in educational continuity.
"UC professors forced to teach ‘middle school math’ after SAT ban"
Narrative Framing: Explicitly attributes the test ban to a claim that the SAT was 'racist,' framing the policy change as ideologically motivated.
"The professors blamed a 2020 vote... after lawyers representing low-income students argued the metrics were 'racist.'"
Balanced Reporting: Quotes the UC Board of Regents chair positively describing the test ban as an 'incredible step in the right direction,' providing context for the original policy intent.
"Starting in the fall of 2021, University of California hopefuls have not been asked to submit SAT or ACT scores..."
Comprehensive Sourcing: Names specific professors and their departments, lending credibility and specificity to the letter’s authorship.
"jointly authored by UC Berkeley professors Zvezdelina Stankova, Svetlana Jitomirskaya..."
Comprehensive Sourcing: Mentions the court injunction and lawsuits, providing legal and structural context absent in Fox News.
"The system had been placed under a court injunction after rejected students sued..."
UC professors forced to teach ‘middle school math’ after SAT ban
Unprepared college students forced to relearn 'middle school mathematics,' California professors reveal