The College System of Maryland’s board of regents voted not too long ago to pave the way in which for its 12 universities to take away the requirement for potential college students to supply their SAT or ACT scores for admission.
Maryland
Maryland university system won’t require SAT, ACT for admissions
In response to Joann Boughman, senior vice chancellor for educational and pupil affairs for the college system, the change comes after heavy consideration and mirrors nationwide developments. All the colleges throughout the system had already shifted to a test-optional mannequin, many through the coronavirus pandemic, when testing was much less accessible.
“It was not our alternative essentially to go test-optional, however for the final two years, we now have handled accepting many, many college students throughout our system who didn’t have SAT or ACT scores,” Boughman mentioned.
She added that different components comparable to an applicant’s grade-point common are fairly good, if not higher, at predicting success in faculty.
System spokesman Mike Lurie mentioned the measure handed 11 to 2 with two absences; Andy Smarick and Louis Pope voted towards it.
Through the assembly, College of Maryland Faculty Park President Darryll J. Pines mentioned standardized testing has a protracted historical past of being disproportionate in accessibility to minority communities.
“Individuals of coloration are likely to have biases towards them by these exams they usually don’t get into colleges,” Pines mentioned Friday.
A number of colleges within the Baltimore space, together with the College of Maryland Baltimore County, Towson College, College of Baltimore and U-Md. have been test-optional for a number of years.
Freeman A. Hrabowski III, the longtime president of UMBC, mentioned Friday that he additionally helps the test-optional mannequin, however confused the significance of standardized testing general.
“Significantly for college kids of coloration, we now have to search out methods … of serving to them to have the abilities they should succeed on standardized exams, although, as a result of when you consider medical college or legislation college or the CPA or the nursing examination or the trainer’s examination, all of those are standardized exams,” Hrabowski mentioned through the assembly.
UMBC went test-optional through the onset of the pandemic. The primary class that had the choice have been freshmen beginning throughout fall 2021, mentioned Yvette Mozie-Ross, the college’s vice provost for enrollment administration and planning.
“UMBC has fully embraced this,” she mentioned, “and I’m actually enthusiastic about what it means for us by way of serving the scholars in Maryland and past.”
The College of Baltimore shifted to a test-optional mannequin in 2019, so the brand new vote gained’t have an effect on it a lot, mentioned spokesman Chris Hart. “The system is simply catching up,” he mentioned.
Coppin State College mentioned in an emailed assertion that standardized testing accounts just for a small portion of a pupil’s general admissions package deal.
“We perceive that traditionally, standardized take a look at scores have been a barrier for a lot of college students, and such exams present no important impression on a pupil’s general success in faculty,” the assertion reads. “The analysis is obvious: the rigor of a pupil’s coursework, their GPA, and extracurricular engagements most precisely mirror a pupil’s faculty readiness and skill to succeed.”
Salisbury College has been test-optional since 2006. Through the board of regent’s assembly, college president Charles Wight informed regents that earlier than the pandemic, 30 % of the college’s candidates didn’t submit their take a look at scores. That quantity elevated to 80 % through the pandemic.
Regent Smarick mentioned the coverage change might negatively impression the admissions course of.
“One of many advantages of a take a look at like [the] SAT [and the] ACT is that it may assist determine false negatives, college students who the opposite metrics say in all probability aren’t prepared,” Smarick mentioned. “However these college students — as a result of a number of different issues have been aligned towards them — didn’t have that nice of a GPA, didn’t have an opportunity to do an entire lot of different issues. However due to this take a look at, we see that this pupil is off the charts in studying, off the charts in math.”
In response to the USM choice, Priscilla Rodriguez, senior vice chairman of faculty readiness assessments for the Faculty Board — the corporate that gives the SAT — mentioned in an emailed assertion that they welcome the shift.
“We’re happy that college students will proceed to have the choice of placing their greatest foot ahead and submitting scores.” Rodriguez mentioned within the e mail.
Nicholas Lemann, a professor at Columbia College and writer of “The Massive Check,” mentioned the USM choice matches nationwide developments.
Elsewhere throughout the nation, the College of California and California State College techniques are amongst schools which have dropped SAT and ACT necessities for undergraduate admissions. Harvard College has mentioned it gained’t require the scores by 2026.
In the meantime, the Massachusetts Institute of Know-how mentioned this spring that it will reinstate its take a look at requirement after suspending it through the pandemic.
Lemann mentioned the removing of standardized testing wouldn’t have a huge impact on faculty admissions. He additionally believes that there are systematic disadvantages throughout the standardized testing system.
“There’s an actual battle between admissions exams and variety,” he mentioned. “There are racial and ethnic and, to some extent, gender gaps on exams. This has been a constant discovering for the reason that very starting of testing 100 years in the past. And so whenever you’re an establishment that makes use of these exams and that has range as a objective, these usually are not fully in line with one another.”
April Bethea of The Washington Submit contributed to this report.
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Sunshine for your Labor Day in Maryland
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Michigan State Has Several Things to Fix Before Heading to Maryland
Michigan State’s football team emerged with a 16-10 win against Florida Atlantic, but it was far from a convincing victory. The Spartans struggled throughout the game, exhibiting a range of issues that need immediate attention if they hope to find more consistent success moving forward.
With less than a week to prepare for its next opponent, Michigan State has a critical opportunity to address these shortcomings and refine its game plan.
The win over FAU exposed several areas of concern for Michigan State, particularly on offense. The Spartans were plagued by poor execution and missed opportunities, with several drives stalling due to penalties and miscues. The offensive line, in particular, struggled to establish a rhythm, which led to limited success in both the running and passing games.
Quarterback play from Aidan Chiles was inconsistent, with errant throws and a lack of cohesion with the receiving corps contributing to the team’s inability to sustain drives and put the game away early.
Defensively, Michigan State managed to hold FAU to just 10 points, but there were still some worrying signs. Despite the Spartans having multiple interceptions and a safety, they gave up several big plays, revealing potential vulnerabilities in the secondary and raising concerns about the unit’s ability to maintain discipline and focus throughout the game. Missed tackles and lapses in coverage could prove costly against more formidable opponents, making it imperative for the coaching staff to address these issues in the coming week.
Special teams were another area where Michigan State faltered. On multiple occasions, the Spartans gave up more punt return yards than they should have because of missed tackles.
With less than a week before its next game, Michigan State has a valuable window to regroup and make the necessary adjustments. The coaching staff will need to focus on tightening up execution across all phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams. This includes refining the game plan, improving communication and instilling a greater sense of urgency and discipline among the players.
The Spartans cannot afford to let the issues that plagued them against FAU carry over into their matchup against Maryland. If they hope to be competitive as the season progresses, the team must use this time to correct course and demonstrate growth in all facets of its game.
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Maryland Weather: Be on Alert for Isolated Severe Thunderstorms
BALTIMORE – Scattered showers will give way to mostly cloudy skies Sunday, with a chance for isolated severe storms.
Expect overnight lows in the 70s after a warm air mass moved through. A cold front will bring another chance for an isolated strong storms on Sunday. The day won’t be a washout, there is the possibility of active weather in the afternoon and evening.
The front will bring bright sunny skies for Monday with low humidity. Perfect weather for the afternoon barbecue or last summer activity. Kids getting back to school this week should expect refreshing temperatures… possibly even a little chilly with overnight lows in the 50s.
High pressure will control our weather for the middle of the week. Expect sunny skies and low humidity through Friday. Overnight lows Tuesday and Wednesday will be in the mid 50s, with afternoon highs in the upper 70s. The chance of showers returns late Friday.
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