The SAT (Scholastic Achievement Test) at Pitzer College
Last Revised February 20, 2007
 

Current Status: Pitzer College has adopted an SAT-optional admissions policy. Applicants are no longer required to submit SAT scores. This is a major accomplishment. The goal, however, is drop the SAT entirely. A great read is: Letters Re Divers - Must Read - NY times 9/22/06

 

Old Pitzer News:  Presenting the Proposal at College Council, April 25, 2002

Old National News:  USA Today Cover Story on the SAT, August 27, 2002

 

Background:  The SAT is a frequently used criterion for admissions to American colleges and universities.  The fact that various racial and socioeconomic groups consistely differ in their average scores suggest that the SAT may have the potential for bias.

In Fall, 2000, and again in Fall 2001, I conducted an online survey to partially determine the Pitzer community's attitudes toward the S.A.T.  The overall results of the survey may be found on this link:  2000-01 Survey Results.  2001-02 Survey Results.

In addition, two open ended questions asked about respondents' opinions about the SAT and about Pitzer College more generally.  To see these results, click the appropriate link:
Opinions about the SAT (Fall 2000)           Opinions about the SAT (Fall 2001)
Opinions about Pitzer College (Fall 2000)        Opinions about Pitzer College (Fall 2001)
A Student's Anonymous Letter on the SAT (12/30/2001)

2001-02 Survey on the SAT:
Click Here to see the quantitative results!
Click here to see open-ended answers on the SAT
Click here to see open-ended statements about Pitzer College
Slide Show on Research Findings, 2000-01 and 2001-02 (in preparation)

NEW!
Proposal to Ban the SAT at Pitzer College (Revised December 4, 2001)
(Original Draft:  April 27, 2001)

SLIDE SHOW of Proposal to Ban the SAT at Pitzer (12/4/01)

New and Current Ruminations (Thoughts) on the SAT, January 28-29-2002

Presenting the Proposal at College Council, April 25, 2002

SAT in the News
Click on the Headline to see the article


LA Times, February 17, 2001

LA Times February 18, 2001
College Presidents Defend Use of SAT
LA Times, February 19, 2001

LA Times 2-20-01
Critical Reading:  The tests and the "brightest":  How fair are the College Boards?  The Atlantic Monthly, February, 1980, by  James Fallows. USA Today Cover Story on the SAT, August 27, 2002

Editorials and Articles

Dropping the SATs is an excuse to drop standards, by Virginia Postrel.  LA Times, February 25, 2001, Page M5. SATs 'Halo Effect' casts a long shadow, by Halford H. Fairchild, LA Times, February 26, 2001, page B5.
Dump SAT Test to Lower the Bar of Exclusion, By AGUSTIN GURZA, LA Times, February 27, 2001. SATs Thankless Task by George F. Will, Washington Post, March 15, 2001
Critics, UC are at Odds over SAT, LA Times, July 23, 2001 Gender Gap on SATs Widening, LA Times August 29, 2001
SAT's Biggest Test, Chronicle of Higher Education, October 26, 2001 Lafayette's Comfort Level is Higher With SAT's, Chronicle of Higher Ed, 10-26-01
Lani Guinier on "Confirmative Action" in Admissions, Chronicle of Higher Education, December 14, 2001 A Pitzer Student's Letter on the SAT, December 30, 2001.
SAT Study Points to its Validity, February 5, 2002 Higher Education's Sacred Cow by Halford Fairchild (February 4, 2002)
Claude Steele:  "Stereotype Threat" and Black College Students, The Atlantic Monthly, August, 1999. College Board Proposes Overhall to SAT, Associated Press.  March 24, 2002

Purchase of SAT Questions Barred, LA Times 10/12/05
Colin S. Divers, Skip the Test, Betray the Cause, NY Times 9/18/2006
Letters Re Divers - Must Read - NY times 9/22/06 Sarah Lawrence College President on the SAT and US & News College Rankings, March 11, 2007, Washington Post
SAT Scores Decline, LA Times, Aug 28, 2007  

Comments or questions may be directed to me at Hfairchild@pitzer.edu.

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