The New York times has just published a story supporting standardized testing.
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The story says admissions officers can't distinguish talented students based on grades alone.
This is true! Grades from schools and classes with different levels of rigor aren't comparable. Test scores are.
This is true! Grades from schools and classes with different levels of rigor aren't comparable. Test scores are.
The story says test scores predict better than grades.
That's true! Cognitive skills matter a lot, and though noncognitive skills do too, hard work without talent doesn't have the same payoff.
That's true! Cognitive skills matter a lot, and though noncognitive skills do too, hard work without talent doesn't have the same payoff.
The story even shows us that test scores predict college grades better than high school grades do.
Not only that, but it shows that test scores predict college grades in a fair way: they predict them similarly for the rich and the poor!
The story even shows that test scores predict outcomes beyond college and university better than high school grades do.
The story admits that test scores are the least biased part of the admissions process.
After all, interviewing favors the attractive, letters favor letter buyers, recommendations favor the rich and privileged.
Test scores show what everyone can do regardless of all that.
After all, interviewing favors the attractive, letters favor letter buyers, recommendations favor the rich and privileged.
Test scores show what everyone can do regardless of all that.
Some think the tests are biased. After all, maybe the rich get more prep or chances to retake the tests.
But, the story admits, tests at all levels of learning show the same gaps, and it's agreed that those tests aren't biased.
But, the story admits, tests at all levels of learning show the same gaps, and it's agreed that those tests aren't biased.
Chetty sees this evidence and concurs: gaps are everywhere, but we don't call gaps in poverty statistics "biased".
The story shows that public opinion is generally supportive of tests.
I think that settles it!
Tests are our only unbiased selection method *and* people support them, so let's embrace them.
I think that settles it!
Tests are our only unbiased selection method *and* people support them, so let's embrace them.
Take note that if people don't report their scores, that says something too: "Students who did not submit a test score tended to struggle as much as those who had lower scores."
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