Standardized testing: help or hindrance? What you need to know about changes to college admissions testing

University Business, Dec, 2004 by Howard Greene, Matthew Greene

Those IHEs that enroll significant numbers of transfer students based on GPA might consider a longitudinal study of this cohort's performance and graduation rate. It is quite possible that criteria other than standardized testing data will reveal themselves as positive predictors that could be applied to first-year admissions decisions. There are other progressive forms of student assessment being developed and studied which we encourage you to become aware of and to consider as possible models for your institution. We have no doubt, given our day-to-day work with college-bound families, that standardized testing remains one of the most stressful, frustrating, limiting, and controversial aspects of the college planning and admissions process. With testing removed from the equation, many students become better able to focus on their classroom work, extracurricular pursuits, and the elements of particular colleges that will make these institutions a good match for students' personal strengths.

Resources

National Center for Fair & Open Testing: fairtest.orq/optinit.htm

College Board: www.collegeboard.com/prof/ counselors/apply/12.html

Howard Greene and Matthew Greene are independent education consultants, end the authors of the Greene's Guides to Educational Planning. To contact them, visit www.greenesguides.com.