A lawsuit being filed Tuesday by non-profit pro bono law firm Public Counsel says the University of California’s use of the SAT and ACT as part of its admission system is discriminatory.

The firm is filing the suit on behalf of students and advocacy groups. Critics of the exams argue they aren’t predictors of success in higher education and are discriminatory on the basis of race and socioeconomics. But others say the tests can be useful tools for admissions and offer a standardized way to compare students. It’s unclear what a system without the admission requirement would look like at UC, but it’s something university officials have been looking at. Faculty leaders announced a study last year to determine whether the SAT or ACT are accurate predictors of college success. A faculty committee has been charged with examining  the role of standardized tests in UC admissions and plans to produce actionable recommendations sometime in early 2020, according to an official on the committee.

Today on AirTalk, we discuss the arguments regarding required standardized tests. What do you think about the ACT and SAT? Should they be required for admission into higher ed schools? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722

Guests:

Alisa Hartz, a senior staff attorney with the non-profit pro bono law firm Public Counsel, which is filing the suit in California Superior Court on behalf of students and advocacy groups

Jerry Lucido, professor of research and Associate Dean of Strategic Enrollment Services at USC; executive director of the USC Center for Enrollment Research, Policy, and Practice, and Special Advisor to the Provost at the University of Southern California; his focus includes college admissions and enrollment management

Eddie Comeaux, UC Riverside professor and co-chair of UC system’s Standardized Testing Task Force, which will make recommendations regarding the use of the SAT and ACT